A Tory council criticised for switching off street lights to save money is now under fire again after advertising for an anti-racism officer on a salary of up to £60,000 a year.
Norfolk County Council, which is implementing £45million of cuts and savings to balance its budget, is seeking an “anti-racist practice lead” for its children’s services department.
In an advert posted online, the council stated: “We want to do all we possibly can to ensure that: our front-line practice is culturally competent, curious and does not inadvertently or otherwise introduce prejudice or bias.
“[And] our global majority staff feel respected, supported and safe from discrimination whether in the workplace or out doing their work in the community.”
The local authority is seeking an 'anti-racist practice lead' for its children’s services department
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The phrase “global majority”- used increasingly as a replacement for BAME (black and minority ethnic) - refers to non-white people.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised the use of the term, arguing it is promoted by “anti-white” organisations.
The post will be a fixed-term contract for 18 months, offering a salary between £55,147 and £60,676.
Rupert Lowe, the former Reform MP now sitting as an independent, accused Norfolk County Council of wasting money on “guff” while essential services were being cut.
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The MP for Great Yarmouth called for the role to be scrapped and the money to be redirected to frontline services.
He said: “I am calling on Norfolk County Council to do the right thing, cancel the ludicrous job and pump that money back into the communities in Great Yarmouth that need it.”
Supporters of diversity initiatives argue they help to tackle longstanding discrimination and under-representation of minority groups, but critics say such roles can be discriminatory themselves and represent poor use of resources, especially during financial crises.
Norfolk County Council is set to save £24.5million in adult social care and £14.6million in children’s services this year.
Lowe called for the role to be scrapped and the money to be redirected to frontline services
Getty ImagesIn a separate cost-cutting move last year, the council agreed to turn off 1,000 street lights across the county, aiming to save £200,000 annually and reduce carbon emissions.
A spokeswoman for Norfolk County Council defended the recruitment, saying: “We have previously publicly committed to tackling the harm caused by racism, which we know sadly impacts many of the children and families we support and also harms colleagues as they go about their work in communities to keep children safe.
“We want all our staff to feel respected and supported and ensure children can flourish, whatever their background.
“This post will ensure we have the skills and capacity to take the necessary action to root out and eliminate racism where it exists.”
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