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RESOLVED:

1.     
That this Council notes that:
a)       
October marks Black History Month in the UK, a
national celebration which honours the contributions and
achievements of black heritage and culture; 
b)      
Black History Month is an opportunity to continue to
amplify the voices of black people and to raise awareness of the
inequalities they face across all sectors including education,
policing, health, business, housing and more;
c)       
the theme this year is ‘Saluting Our
Sisters’ which focuses on the stories of the lives and
contributions of black women to celebrate their achievements and
excellence; and
d)      
this Council’s Equality Vision: ‘Improve
the way we engage, think and act to deliver equality and inclusion
for everyone, every day’ which helps to create opportunities
and remove barriers across the organisation.

2.     
That this Council welcomes:
a)       
the commissioning of ‘The Black Female
Pioneers of Milton Keynes’, an exhibition which celebrates 11
pioneering black women in Milton Keynes, available to view at the
Central Library from 4 October to 1 November 2023 and in Station
Square; and
b)      
the positive and empowering initiatives to support
the variety of events and activities taking place over the month of
October such as free art and music workshops for children and
families.

3.     
That this Council resolves to:
a)
   continue to recognise Black
History Month as an important month in the City Council’s
calendar each year;
b)
   continue to review policies and
practices on a regular basis in line with the City Council’s
Equality Vision;
c)
   further explore diversity and
inclusion training around ethnicity and equality for all City
Council employees;
d)   encourage schools across
the city to design a programme to celebrate Black History Month
each year; and
e)
   continue to salute all black
women across the city who continue to work and deliver excellence
all year round.