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Freedom of Information Request - Racial Equality Report

Barry D made this Freedom of Information request to Sheffield City Council

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Dear Sheffield City Council,
FOI-Sheffield Race Equality Report

Please find enclosed my FOI questions in relation to Sheffield’s Race Equality report which has been published publicly at the following link

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-c...

Please can you answer the FOI questions (see below) in the required way requested in my questions (e.g. where I have asked for e.g Yes, No or Don’t Know answer please provide the answer in this way )

FOI Questions.

Question 1.
Page 74 : “The benefits of diversity in the workforce were considered in a confidential interview with an employee of Sheffield City Council who proposed a number of key points reflected across other hearings and evidence that :

Unless there are empowered and knowledgeable ethnic minority colleagues at all levels in the organisation, with an understanding of structural racism, how it is enabled by power systems, this will continue. Unless the Local Authority is held to account on dismantling this systemically it will continue and until there is ethnic minority leadership in the city which is empowered and has clout, this will continue across the city.”

(a) As per the report, What is the definition of “structural racism” that Sheffield Council uses or will use and what is the source of the definition used (e.g government etc.)?

(b) Has Sheffield Council been designated, in whole or in part, as an organisation that has “structural racism” within it and if so designated by whom?

(c) Does Sheffield City Council consider itself to be a “structurally racist” organisation whether that refers to (i) the whole of the organisation or (ii) any part(s) of the organisation? Please answer this either Yes, No or Don’t Know

(d) Having provided an answer to (c) above please expand on the answer given by adding any extra information or comment to support the answer?

(e) If Sheffield Council has been identified as “structurally racist” please identify and provide any examples of which population demographic(s) it has been evidenced to be “structurally racist” against e.g black, white, asian etc?

(f) If Sheffield City Council has in anyway, shape or form been identified or identified itself as “structurally racist” please provide any 3 x pieces of evidence, examples(e.g reports, studies etc.) of this “structural racism” (e.g an example of “structural racism” being evidenced within a particular Department, Service area, system, process etc. or anything that would prove the statement is true)?

(g) If Sheffield Council is or has been found to be a “structurally racist” organisation, has a legal threshold or legal standard for racism under existing UK law actually been met for the claim of “structurally racist” ?(i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t know. (ii) If a Legal threshold has not been met for the claim then is this just an opinion (not fact) expressed in the report’s production?

(h) Does Sheffield Council agree with the statement in the report (P74)that “ power systems ” are enabling “systemic racism”. (i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t know followed by (ii) any comments if needed to expand ?

(i) Please provide evidence of up to three examples of which “power systems” in Sheffield Council are enabling “systemic racism”. ? If there are no examples please clearly state this.

Question 2
(a) Is there a legal requirement for Sheffield Council to be an “anti-racist” organisation? (i) Please answer : Yes or No or Don’t Know and if Yes then (ii) please identify the relevant legal statute or law?

(b) Please provide (i) the definition of “anti-racism” that Sheffield Council is using and (ii) the source of the definition ?

Question 3
(a) Does Sheffield Council believe that the Racial Equality report is in anyway, shape or form influenced by the contested political idea of Critical Race Theory ? (i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t Know and (ii) if the answer is ‘Yes’ please provide some brief explanation, examples of how, where(e.g page, paragraph number) the report is influenced by Critical Race Theory

(b) Does Sheffield City Council in anyway require it’s employees to believe in or adhere to or be compliant with Critical Race Theory ?

(c) Under UK law, Sheffield Council is required to be an independent, impartial organisation with political restrictions e.g on senior officers. Would the adoption of the contested political ideology of Critical Race Theory in anyway be compatible with Sheffield Council’s Legal requirements to be independent and impartial and for its Officers to be the same?

Question 4
As per the Racial Equality report

(a) How does Sheffield Council define the term ‘Equity’ ?
(b) What is the source of the definition of ‘Equity’ that Sheffield Council has used?
(c) Is Equity a legal requirement under UK law ?
(d) How is Equity different to (i) Equality of Opportunity?
(e) How is Equity different to (ii) Equality of Outcome ?
(f) Is the term ‘Equity’ in anyway related to Critical Race Theory ideas, ideology etc.Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t Know?

Question 5
Page 98: ‘Operates an EDI policy with specific intersectional joined up race content”

(a) is there a legal requirement for Sheffield Council to use an “intersectional” approach for EDI policies? Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t Know

(b) If “intersectional” is not a legal requirement then please confirm whether it is a contested political idea ? Please answer: Yes,No or Don’t know?

Question 6:
Page 100 : “ Assess systems for inbuilt bias” and “Commission Racial Literacy Training”

(a) Please provide details of how Sheffield Council will “Assess systems for in built bias” e.g the process, criteria, guidance etc. that will be used to achieve this?

(b) Please provide a copy of any documentation, guidance etc. that Sheffield Council will be using in relation to assessing bias ?

(c) Please provide details of how Sheffield Council will be “commissioning Racial Literacy Training” identifying, summarising e.g the process, criteria, guidance etc. that will be used to achieve this?

(d) Are there specific, recognised formal qualifications and professional bodies, regulators etc. for “Racial Literacy Training” that Sheffield Council will be using. (i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t Know? And:

(ii)Please provide examples, names of the formal qualifications and professional bodies that Sheffield Council may be using or referencing in this area?

(iii) If there are no formal qualifications, regulatory bodies in this area what criteria, evidence etc. will Sheffield Council utilise to determine who will provide “ Racial Literacy Training”?

(iv) Will “Racial Literacy Training” that specifically relates to Critical Race Theory be one of the possible options considered? Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t Know?

(e) Please provide the names of all organisations that Sheffield has commissioned to provide “Racial Literacy Training” following on from the Racial Equality Commission’s report?

Question 7
Page 132: “Ultimately, the existence and extent of systemic racism is an empirical question revealed by familiar and persistent patterns of racial disparities in a range of domains. And on this empirical basis there should be no doubt our society is systemically racist”

(a) In relation to its own services and disparities within their results etc. Does Sheffield City Council believe that all “persistent patterns of racial disparities” are primarily due to “systemic racism”? Please answer (i) Yes, No or Don't Know and (ii) provide any other comments to support the answer given previously in (i)

(b) Does Sheffield Council believe that it is possible that there could also be any other reasons for any “persistent patterns of racial disparities”? (i) Please answer (i) Yes, No or Don't Know and (ii) provide any other comments to support the answer given previously at (i) by identifying up to 5 x factors other than “systemic racism” that could contribute to racial disparities ?

(c) Please provide any evidence or analysis that Sheffield Council has in any service area (e.g. Education, Housing, Social Services etc.) that shows how much of the racial disparities in that service area are contributed to by (i) systemic racism and (ii) any other factors that have contributed to racial disparities (e.g as in b above)

Question 8
Page 42 : “Some of these narratives were accompanied by reflections on how “whiteness” privileges white people from the experience of racism”

Does Sheffield City Council believe in, agree with etc. the concept of “whiteness” as identified in the report (page 42)?
(a) Please answer either: Yes, No, Don’t Know and then:

(b) please provide any further supporting comments on Sheffield Council’s position on the concept of “whiteness” ?

(c) Please provide Sheffield Council’s definition of “whiteness” and also the source of the definition used whether in the report or otherwise?

(d) Does Sheffield Council consider “whiteness” to be (i) an established fact or (ii) a subjective political opinion. Please answer indicating either (i) or (ii) as above ?

(e) Is there any evidence from within Sheffield Council on “how “whiteness” privileges white people from the experience of racism” (page 42) ?
(i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t know? and :

(ii) if the answer to (i) is Yes please provide up to 3 examples from within Sheffield Council of this e.g any reports, studies, briefings etc)

(f) Is there a statutory or legal requirement for Sheffield Council that covers or requires Sheffield Council to address “whiteness” . Please answer (i) Yes, No or Don’t Know and then (ii) provide any further detail or comments if needed?

(g) Does any other population demographic in Sheffield Council have similar terminology that exists and is applied to them in reports, studies etc. e.g. “Asianness” etc. (i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t Know (ii) and if the answer is No and there is no similar terminology what is the reason for this inconsistency e.g. with only the white population having a “whiteness” terminology applied to them?

(h) Does Sheffield Council believe that the concept of “whiteness” in the Race Report is compatible, compliant with the requirements of The Equality Act 2010? Please answer : (i) Yes, No or Don’t Know and (ii) briefly expand upon the answer provided if needed?

(i) Have Sheffield City Council’s white employees been found to have any unfair advantages over other demographics in their employment at Sheffield Council ? Please answer : Yes,No or Don’t know and then provide up to 3 pieces of evidence (e.g report) of any unfair advantages if the answer is Yes?

Thank You

Yours faithfully,

Barry D

Dear Barry D,

Thank you for your request for information relating to Racial Equality
Report which we received on 26/09/2024.

This has been logged as a Freedom of Information Request and will be dealt
with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The reference number for
your request can be found above.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 states that we must respond to you
within 20 working days, by 23/09/2024. Please do not hesitate to contact
us at the email address below if you have any queries.

Yours sincerely,

Sheffield City Council

PO Box 1283

Sheffield, S1 1UJ

Email: [1][Sheffield City Council request email]

From: Barry D <[FOI #1167171 email]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 9:01 PM
To: FOI <[Sheffield City Council request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Freedom of Information Request -
Racial Equality Report

[You don't often get email from [2][FOI #1167171 email]. Learn why this is
important at [3]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

Dear Sheffield City Council,

FOI-Sheffield Race Equality Report

Please find enclosed my FOI questions in relation to Sheffield’s Race
Equality report which has been published publicly at the following link

[4]https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-c...

Please can you answer the FOI questions (see below) in the required way
requested in my questions (e.g. where I have asked for e.g Yes, No or
Don’t Know answer please provide the answer in this way )

FOI Questions.

Question 1.

Page 74 : “The benefits of diversity in the workforce were considered in a
confidential interview with an employee of Sheffield City Council who
proposed a number of key points reflected across other hearings and
evidence that :

Unless there are empowered and knowledgeable ethnic minority colleagues at
all levels in the organisation, with an understanding of structural
racism, how it is enabled by power systems, this will continue. Unless the
Local Authority is held to account on dismantling this systemically it
will continue and until there is ethnic minority leadership in the city
which is empowered and has clout, this will continue across the city.”

(a) As per the report, What is the definition of “structural racism” that
Sheffield Council uses or will use and what is the source of the
definition used (e.g government etc.)?

(b) Has Sheffield Council been designated, in whole or in part, as an
organisation that has “structural racism” within it and if so designated
by whom?

(c) Does Sheffield City Council consider itself to be a “structurally
racist” organisation whether that refers to (i) the whole of the
organisation or (ii) any part(s) of the organisation? Please answer this
either Yes, No or Don’t Know

(d) Having provided an answer to (c) above please expand on the answer
given by adding any extra information or comment to support the answer?

(e) If Sheffield Council has been identified as “structurally racist”
please identify and provide any examples of which population
demographic(s) it has been evidenced to be “structurally racist” against
e.g black, white, asian etc?

(f) If Sheffield City Council has in anyway, shape or form been identified
or identified itself as “structurally racist” please provide any 3 x
pieces of evidence, examples(e.g reports, studies etc.) of this
“structural racism” (e.g an example of “structural racism” being evidenced
within a particular Department, Service area, system, process etc. or
anything that would prove the statement is true)?

(g) If Sheffield Council is or has been found to be a “structurally
racist” organisation, has a legal threshold or legal standard for racism
under existing UK law actually been met for the claim of “structurally
racist” ?(i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t know. (ii) If a Legal
threshold has not been met for the claim then is this just an opinion (not
fact) expressed in the report’s production?

(h) Does Sheffield Council agree with the statement in the report
(P74)that “ power systems ” are enabling “systemic racism”. (i) Please
answer : Yes, No or Don’t know followed by (ii) any comments if needed to
expand ?

(i) Please provide evidence of up to three examples of which “power
systems” in Sheffield Council are enabling “systemic racism”. ? If there
are no examples please clearly state this.

Question 2

(a) Is there a legal requirement for Sheffield Council to be an
“anti-racist” organisation? (i) Please answer : Yes or No or Don’t Know
and if Yes then (ii) please identify the relevant legal statute or law?

(b) Please provide (i) the definition of “anti-racism” that Sheffield
Council is using and (ii) the source of the definition ?

Question 3

(a) Does Sheffield Council believe that the Racial Equality report is in
anyway, shape or form influenced by the contested political idea of
Critical Race Theory ? (i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t Know and (ii)
if the answer is ‘Yes’ please provide some brief explanation, examples of
how, where(e.g page, paragraph number) the report is influenced by
Critical Race Theory

(b) Does Sheffield City Council in anyway require it’s employees to
believe in or adhere to or be compliant with Critical Race Theory ?

(c) Under UK law, Sheffield Council is required to be an independent,
impartial organisation with political restrictions e.g on senior officers.
Would the adoption of the contested political ideology of Critical Race
Theory in anyway be compatible with Sheffield Council’s Legal requirements
to be independent and impartial and for its Officers to be the same?

Question 4

As per the Racial Equality report

(a) How does Sheffield Council define the term ‘Equity’ ?

(b) What is the source of the definition of ‘Equity’ that Sheffield
Council has used?

(d) How is Equity different to (i) Equality of Opportunity?

(e) How is Equity different to (ii) Equality of Outcome ?

(f) Is the term ‘Equity’ in anyway related to Critical Race Theory ideas,
ideology etc.Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t Know?

Question 5

Page 98: ‘Operates an EDI policy with specific intersectional joined up
race content”

(a) is there a legal requirement for Sheffield Council to use an
“intersectional” approach for EDI policies? Please answer : Yes, No or
Don’t Know

(b) If “intersectional” is not a legal requirement then please confirm
whether it is a contested political idea ? Please answer: Yes,No or Don’t
know?

Question 6:

Page 100 : “ Assess systems for inbuilt bias” and “Commission Racial
Literacy Training”

(a) Please provide details of how Sheffield Council will “Assess systems
for in built bias” e.g the process, criteria, guidance etc. that will be
used to achieve this?

(b) Please provide a copy of any documentation, guidance etc. that
Sheffield Council will be using in relation to assessing bias ?

(c) Please provide details of how Sheffield Council will be “commissioning
Racial Literacy Training” identifying, summarising e.g the process,
criteria, guidance etc. that will be used to achieve this?

(d) Are there specific, recognised formal qualifications and professional
bodies, regulators etc. for “Racial Literacy Training” that Sheffield
Council will be using. (i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t Know? And:

(ii)Please provide examples, names of the formal qualifications and
professional bodies that Sheffield Council may be using or referencing in
this area?

(iii) If there are no formal qualifications, regulatory bodies in this
area what criteria, evidence etc. will Sheffield Council utilise to
determine who will provide “ Racial Literacy Training”?

(iv) Will “Racial Literacy Training” that specifically relates to Critical
Race Theory be one of the possible options considered? Please answer :
Yes, No or Don’t Know?

(e) Please provide the names of all organisations that Sheffield has
commissioned to provide “Racial Literacy Training” following on from the
Racial Equality Commission’s report?

Question 7

Page 132: “Ultimately, the existence and extent of systemic racism is an
empirical question revealed by familiar and persistent patterns of racial
disparities in a range of domains. And on this empirical basis there
should be no doubt our society is systemically racist”

(a) In relation to its own services and disparities within their results
etc. Does Sheffield City Council believe that all “persistent patterns of
racial disparities” are primarily due to “systemic racism”? Please answer
(i) Yes, No or Don't Know and (ii) provide any other comments to support
the answer given previously in (i)

(b) Does Sheffield Council believe that it is possible that there could
also be any other reasons for any “persistent patterns of racial
disparities”? (i) Please answer (i) Yes, No or Don't Know and (ii) provide
any other comments to support the answer given previously at (i) by
identifying up to 5 x factors other than “systemic racism” that could
contribute to racial disparities ?

(c) Please provide any evidence or analysis that Sheffield Council has in
any service area (e.g. Education, Housing, Social Services etc.) that
shows how much of the racial disparities in that service area are
contributed to by (i) systemic racism and (ii) any other factors that have
contributed to racial disparities (e.g as in b above)

Question 8

Page 42 : “Some of these narratives were accompanied by reflections on how
“whiteness” privileges white people from the experience of racism”

Does Sheffield City Council believe in, agree with etc. the concept of
“whiteness” as identified in the report (page 42)?

(a) Please answer either: Yes, No, Don’t Know and then:

(b) please provide any further supporting comments on Sheffield Council’s
position on the concept of “whiteness” ?

(c) Please provide Sheffield Council’s definition of “whiteness” and also
the source of the definition used whether in the report or otherwise?

(d) Does Sheffield Council consider “whiteness” to be (i) an established
fact or (ii) a subjective political opinion. Please answer indicating
either (i) or (ii) as above ?

(e) Is there any evidence from within Sheffield Council on “how
“whiteness” privileges white people from the experience of racism” (page
42) ?

(i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t know? and :

(ii) if the answer to (i) is Yes please provide up to 3 examples from
within Sheffield Council of this e.g any reports, studies, briefings etc)

(f) Is there a statutory or legal requirement for Sheffield Council that
covers or requires Sheffield Council to address “whiteness” . Please
answer (i) Yes, No or Don’t Know and then (ii) provide any further detail
or comments if needed?

(g) Does any other population demographic in Sheffield Council have
similar terminology that exists and is applied to them in reports, studies
etc. e.g. “Asianness” etc. (i) Please answer : Yes, No or Don’t Know (ii)
and if the answer is No and there is no similar terminology what is the
reason for this inconsistency e.g. with only the white population having a
“whiteness” terminology applied to them?

(h) Does Sheffield Council believe that the concept of “whiteness” in the
Race Report is compatible, compliant with the requirements of The Equality
Act 2010? Please answer : (i) Yes, No or Don’t Know and (ii) briefly
expand upon the answer provided if needed?

(i) Have Sheffield City Council’s white employees been found to have any
unfair advantages over other demographics in their employment at Sheffield
Council ? Please answer : Yes,No or Don’t know and then provide up to 3
pieces of evidence (e.g report) of any unfair advantages if the answer is
Yes?

Thank You

Yours faithfully,

Barry D

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show quoted sections

Dear Barry D,

Thank you for your request for information relating to Racial Equality
Report which we received on 26/09/2024.

Unfortunately, Sheffield City Council cannot process your requests because
you have not given us your full name. Section 8 of the Freedom of
Information Act states that you must give us your full name for a request
to be valid.

Could you please let us know your full name to enable us to process your
request.

For further guidance please see the Information Commissioners Office
Guidance “Recognising a request made under the Freedom of Information Act”
– in particular the section entitled “Name of the applicant”, on the link
below:

[1]https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisatio...

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us at the email address
below if you have any queries.

Kind Regards,

Sheffield City Council

PO Box 1283

Sheffield, S1 1UJ

Email: [2][Sheffield City Council request email]

P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to

This Email, and any attachments, may contain non-public information and is
intended solely for the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may
contain sensitive or protectively marked material and should be handled
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will not accept any liability for damage caused by computer viruses
emanating from any attachment or other document supplied with this e-mail

References

Visible links
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2. mailto:[sheffield%20city%20council%20request%20email]

Dear FOI,

Dear Sir/Madam

In regards to the below FOI request, my name is Mr Barry Dyson.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/f...

Yours sincerely,

Barry Dyson

Dear Barry Dyson,

Thank you for your request for information relating to Racial Equality
Report which you validated on 08/09/2024.

This has been logged as a Freedom of Information Request and will be dealt
with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The reference number for
your request can be found above.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 states that we must respond to you
within 20 working days, by 04/10/2024. Please do not hesitate to contact
us at the email address below if you have any queries.

Yours sincerely,

Sheffield City Council

PO Box 1283

Sheffield, S1 1UJ

Email: [1][Sheffield City Council request email]

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[sheffield%20city%20council%20request%20email]

Dear Barry Dyson,

Thank you for your request for information relating to Racial Equality
Report which you validated on 08/09/2024.

Please find Sheffield City Council’s response to your request set out
below:

Question 1.

Unless there are empowered and knowledgeable ethnic minority colleagues at
all levels in the organisation, with an understanding of structural
racism, how it is enabled by power systems, this will continue. Unless the
Local Authority is held to account on dismantling this systemically it
will continue and until there is ethnic minority leadership in the city
which is empowered and has clout, this will continue across the city.”

(a) As per the report, What is the definition of “structural racism” that
Sheffield Council uses or will use and what is the source of the
definition used (e.g government etc.)? Information not held. See below
for an explanation of the work of the independent Race Equality Commission
and how Sheffield City Council has responded to its final report.

(b) Has Sheffield Council been designated, in whole or in part, as an
organisation that has “structural racism” within it and if so designated
by whom?