Councils told to 'get a grip' on handling of diversity issues

Two councils in the region have been criticised by Black Lives Matter Buckingham following their “appalling delay and leniency” in response to a racist Facebook post by a town councillor and former mayor.

Two weeks ago, we reported that Councillor Geraldine Collins, who served as Mayor of Buckingham in 2020, had shared and endorsed racist material online in August 2020, which a sub-committee hearing at Buckinghamshire Council finally acknowledged on 3^rd March 2022, 19 months after the incident occurred.

Ms Collins denies forwarding the post, claiming her account was hacked.

Following their investigation, the sub-committee’s recommendation was for town council members to receive training on equality issues and the use of social media.

Our initial story can be read here.

After we broke the story, an emergency town council meeting was called, bringing forward the matter originally due to be discussed on 9^th May.

Monday evening’s full council meeting opened with comments from founding members of Black Lives Matter Buckingham.

Speaking first in attendance at the meeting, Karen Adams, a local sustainable small business owner, said: “We know that hate speech was placed online, which was denied, and we’ve waited two years for this to be acknowledged for what it was – a hate crime. My question to the meeting is, Buckingham, who are you?”

Her comments can be heard in full here

Founder member of Black Lives Matter Buckingham, Rebecca Clark, who is also a teacher and Head of Inclusion in the education sector, joined the meeting via Zoom.

Ms Clark began by saying: “I feel that, first of all, the delay and the leniency from the shire council has been appalling.”

Continuing her address to the town council, Ms Clark said: “It is vital that you act as anti-racists, that you undertake the training that’s necessary for you to represent your community fairly and justly, and to remove your antagonism towards those who are fighting for equality – and to get a grip basically.”

[AUDIO: Listen to Rebecca Clark's full address to Buckingham Town Council]

A crucial moment at the meeting came when it was confirmed by the town clerk that there was likely no legal pathway for the town council to impose further sanctions on Ms Collins, leaving only the two proposals for equality and social media training for them to vote on. They passed unanimously.

Councillor Jon Harvey rose to say: “This is a shameful day for the town council and I wish we did not have to be here talking about this.”

Clearly frustrated by the council’s inability to take firmer action, Mr Harvey continued: “Though the two proposals on their own are important, they are in my view far, far insufficient to fully address what has happened.”

Speaking to Bucks Radio after the meeting, Ms Clark said in response to the outcome: “And so the system of local government has failed us. It does not provide the mechanisms whereby racism can be identified, called out and appropriate sanctions issued. As a councillor, one can evidently enact a hate crime and continue in post with no repercussions.

“I thank the members of Buckingham Town Council who tried to show support. However, their endeavours are as futile as mine in a system designed to give advantage on grounds of race and gender.”

A spokesperson for Buckingham Town Council provided the following statement: “The Town Council received Buckinghamshire Council’s decision concerning a complaint made about Councillor Geraldine Collins at the meeting held on Monday 11^th April 2022.

“The Town Council had no power to reject or add to the decision.

“The Town Council will now carry out the report’s recommendation “That Buckingham Town Council should adopt a programme of equalities training for all councillors which Councillor Collins should attend.”

“The Town Council will also offer “training for the use of social media for all councillors”.”

We also spoke to Karen Adams after the meeting, who told us: “The impact of having your mayor post hate-speech, followed by little outrage and a long-drawn-out denial, shattered my sense of safety and trust.

“Buckinghamshire Council appeared to take sides early on, stating that they would not move straight to an investigation, despite the screen shot evidence, because they were holding out for a 'complete defence' by the mayor, that would close the matter down. Yes, really.

“Whilst I welcome the findings from Buckinghamshire Council, there is clearly a reluctance to respond with the appropriate voice. They failed to use the word racism, instead, opting for 'offensive'.”

A Buckinghamshire Council Spokesperson said: "All complaints about the conduct of Town and Parish Councillors are considered by the principal authority for the area - which in this case is Buckinghamshire Council.

"In accordance with our standard procedures, Councillors from the Standards & General Purposes Committee have considered the allegations in detail, including the outcome of a thorough investigation together with representations from Councillor Collins.

"Following that hearing a decision has been published which includes the Council's findings. It would be inappropriate for the Council to comment further on the decision."