Content

8.1

Members considered a report of the Executive
Director, City Futures which provided an update to the Committee on
Business Sheffield’s focus and progress in supporting the
implementation of the Race Equality Commission (REC) report
recommendations.  It followed up on a
report presented to Committee in 2022, which outlined Business
Sheffield’s progress toward the REC actions, and included an
update on the specific action to establish a diverse and inclusive
Sheffield Business Board for the city.

 

 

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Economic
Development and Skills Policy Committee:-
 

-      
Note and endorse the performance update on the progress of Business
Sheffield in meeting the recommendations and actions from the Race
Equality Commission Final Report dated July 2022

 

 

8.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

8.3.1

To note the Business Sheffield focus and
progress in supporting the implementation of the REC report
recommendations for business in the last two years following the
REC report submitted to Committee in November 2022.

 

 

8.3.2

To note the progress of the Diverse Business
Advisory Board in the first year of its delivery, culminating in
Business Sheffield’s recognition for this work, and being
awarded Equality and Diversity Champion Award at the Business
Awards 2024.

 

 

8.4

Alternatives
Considered and Rejected

 

 

8.4.1

The ‘Do Nothing’ option was
discounted two years ago when Business Sheffield pledged to develop
a more diverse Business Board for the city and to continue to meet
the business recommendations of the REC by tailoring its support
and taking it out into Sheffield’s diverse communities. To
not follow through on the work already undertaken by supporting
this part of the Commissions feedback and recommendations would
pose a reputational risk for Business Sheffield and for the Council
more generally in meeting the specific recommendation and its
contribution to the wider overarching theme of becoming an
antiracist city.