"Black staff were over-represented as cleaners but under-represented in the higher-paid building workforce and in senior officer positions" says the report, which also shows that black cleaning staff were more likely to be employed on temporary or short-term contracts than white cleaners. Black and Minority Ethnic [BME] staff made up 45% of the workforce but 75% of all disciplinary cases.

Ouseley's report notes a "lack of community confidence in council leaders" and recommends that an auditor is appointed "until a better diversity representation in the decision-making process can be reflected at elected member and senior officer levels."

Better diversity training for councillors and senior officers was also recommended. The Liberal Democrat controlled council was warned that it "has much to do in building trust and confidence with [BME] communities."

Southwark Council invited Ouseley to carry out an independent review of the authority's equality and diversity framework.

Liverpool City Council would do well to follow suit.

 http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Public/NewsArticle.aspx?articleId=8268

 http://www.blink.org.uk/pdescription.asp?key=6256&grp=30&cat=138