Councils hiding DEI roles behind different titles to avoid scrutiny from taxpayers
Over the weekend Nigel Farage, buoyed on his party's success in the local elections, delivered a rather blunt message to those working in Reform-controlled councils, 'if you are a DEI officer I suggest you look for another job'.
Given that local authorities spent almost £23 million in 2022/23 on diversity, equality and inclusion roles - nearly twice the £12 million spent in 2020/21 - according to research carried out by the TaxPayers' Alliance, it isn't difficult to see how the proposal might seem attractive to large swathes of voters facing council tax hikes across the country.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Reform's new Mayor for Lincolnshire, also declared her own crusade against DEI officials at Lincolnshire County Council, which is now under her party's control.
The former Conservative MP and education minister in the Boris Johnson government – who was accused during the election campaign of being parachuted into her Lincolnshire constituency all the way from Yorkshire – has since been ridiculed in the media where 'Tory sources' were quoted as saying, '[s]omeone who lives in Lincolnshire would know that there aren't any DEI roles going in Lincolnshire Council.'
It was also reported that there are no 'diversity officers' in Northamptonshire either, where Reform won 39 of the 66 seats, with the Conservatives in second place winning 13 seats and Labour in fourth winning four.
Reform's response has been to claim that DEI officers are being given different titles to hide their existence from irate voters and campaign groups.
Could that be the case? It seemed worth investigating.
Lincolnshire County Council is currently seeking to recruit a Community Development Officer 'at £24,206 FTE per annum plus £480 per annum homeworking allowance', whose role would be to foster 'trust and collaboration between communities, organisations, and the Local Authority' and ensure 'that community needs are identified and effectively addressed'. They would work 'to provide continued support and resources for community initiatives' and '[e]nsure that all voices are heard, which promotes inclusivity and ensures that diverse perspectives are considered in decision-making.'
The officers would also be required to '[p]roduce robust outreach plans to increase community participation and coproduction'.
Back in March, the council had advertised for two other Community Development Officers with the same job description and same salary.
It is absurd to class these as anything but DEI roles.
Lincolnshire has a 96 per cent white population, according to data from 2021. How many taxpayer-funded roles does the Council need to build trust 'between communities', 'promote inclusivity and ensure 'diverse perspectives are considered in decision-making'?
Given that the job description expressly states that the council would 'particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQIA+ candidates and candidates with disabilities because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups', the perspectives being sought to be considered in decision-making seems to me to be of a very particular worldview, without much room for challenge.
And what about Northamptonshire?
In West Northamptonshire, where Reform won 42 of a possible 76 seats, a role of a Community Cohesion Officer was advertised back in January for an annual salary of up to £36,163.
The Officer would work 'alongside another Community Cohesion Officer [presumably on the same salary], who will report to the Connected Communities Coordinator within the Community Engagement & Resettlement Team.'
Here is the job description - I feel a large section of it is worth quoting in its entirety:
'These positions serve as a vital link between diverse communities, promoting social inclusion, harmony, and understanding within localities. The role encompasses a range of responsibilities, including organising events that celebrate cultural diversity, facilitating dialogue between different groups to address potential tensions or conflicts, and collaborating with local organisations and partners to implement initiatives that foster cohesion and integration.
'The successful candidates will act as advocates for marginalised or minority groups, working to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed within the broader community framework.'
The Officers will also be required to 'lead on engagement with voluntary sector partners to assess gaps in service provision in relation to refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants as well as other seldom heard groups within communities', while supporting 'the development of Strategic Equality Plans ensuring an integrated approach to embedding community cohesion work across the local authority.'
Perhaps the most problematic requirement of the job is this: the duty to '[a]ctively challenge and seek to eliminate any directly or indirectly discriminatory practice or behaviours.' It assumes that discriminatory practices and behaviours exist without offering any evidence for the assumption.
The council has even produced a video, 'Introduction to our Workforce Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Strategy', which boasts of diversity, equality, and inclusion being 'woven into the fabric of West Northamptonshire Council'.
It is therefore undeniable that both Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire councils are spending considerable amounts of taxpayers' money on their DEI projects and roles.
The fact that they have apparently chosen to do away with the controversial terms but not the functions is a sad testament to the contempt with which our political establishment – along with sections of the media – seek to treat the general public.
Please share share examples of public spending in your personal and professional lives which you consider to be a waste of taxpayers' money. You can email us your stories – either in writing or as voice notes – at wastewatch@telegraph.co.uk
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