A parish council has committed itself to better understanding the issues facing its black and minority ethnic residents as part of its new five year plan.

Stone Parish Council wants to hear views on how it can improve approaches to equality and diversity in its decisions and recruitment practices.

The local authority is currently in the process of drafting a new five year strategic plan for its more than 12,000 residents who live close to the Dartford Crossing.

As part of this the parish council is looking to hear from BAME voices on any issues they face regarding their colour or ethnicity.

It comes as demonstrations take place around Medway and other parts of Kent in response to the tragic death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, America, on May 25.

Hundreds of people are expected to march through the streets in Chatham this afternoon and in Dartford residents are "taking the knee" to raise awareness of racial discrimination.

Kent Police have defended their chief constable Alan Pughsley who was pictured kneeling at a gathering at Gravesend promenade to reflect on the killing of George Floyd.

Stone Parish Council recently carried out a community survey in which it received more than 700 responses.

Issues raised included loneliness, unemployment and poverty, which it said had "inevitably been exacerbated by the covid situation and may easily become ongoing legacies" if it did not act.

On the authority's website it wrote: "It is not right for the parish council to remain silent on important matters that affect our residents.

"We remain fixated by ongoing scenes of public protest, but also saddened by the unnecessary and unforgiveable violence and crime."

"As a council, we try very hard to consider the issue of equality and diversity in every decision we make, in our recruitment, and in the way that we operate and communicate. However, we are in no doubt that this could be improved further.

In a further statement it added: "Recent events in America have reignited the issue of equality for black people, which provides an opportunity for us to actively listen and understand any issues our black community may face.

"It is not right for the parish council to remain silent on important matters that affect our residents."

"Undoubtedly, we also need to educate ourselves further, both as an organisation and a community, to begin to make progress."

Cllr Kelly Grehan, who represents the St Johns and Stone House wards, said she was delighted by the action the council has taken.

The Labour councillor said: "I have to say, I'm feeling very proud of the parish council for starting this dialogue.

"Parish councils have a reputation for being old fashioned and unprogressive so it's especially good to see this action.

"I hope this is demonstrative of the open, welcoming community we are in Stone, but more importantly that the council can and will learn from the experiences of our residents."

June also marks Pride Month an annual celebration of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer communities.

Last year Cllr Grehan brought forward a motion at Stone Parish Council to mark the occasion with a ceremony.

The government restrictions on large gatherings meant that was not able to go ahead but Cllr Grehan was joined by fellow parish cllr Lesley Howell in raising a pride flag outside the council offices at the Stone Pavilion earlier this month.

Further details regarding the consultation on the council's draft strategic plan will be published towards the autumn.

BAME residents are invited to send their experiences to equality@stoneparishcouncil.com

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