PROPOSED BY: CLLR MARGARET LEWIS
SECONDED BY: CLLR JACKIE JONES
1. Since the arrival of SS Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks on 22nd June 1948, the people, now affectionately known as the Windrush Generation, are those who answered the call of the UK to help rebuild a war torn and battle-weary country.
2. Many of the Windrush Generation settled and were welcomed in Cardiff, with the expectation of being in Cardiff for generations. Despite being settled for decades, many have been negatively impacted by the new Nationalities and Borders Act 2022.
3. Council notes Cllr Ebrahim’s motion passed by Cardiff Council in October 2018 calling upon the Council’s Cabinet to explore how best the Council can provide advice, help and support to those individuals and their families affected by the negative impact of the 2014 Immigration Act, which encouraged them to come forward so that the Council can help secure their right to remain in the UK and allow them to live here in Cardiff, confident of their immigration status.
4. Cardiff Council supports the passing of a Windrush Act at Westminster which:
a. Places a duty on public bodies to reduce race disparities for outcomes in their work as exposed by the
b. UK Government’s Race Disparity Audit and the Cardiff Race Equality Task Force Report.
c. Establishes a Commonwealth community cohesion fund, which will come from existing budgets, for the development of projects for the residents of UK and the Commonwealth to tackle disparities and rebuild social and economic ties of communities damaged by the Windrush scandal such as those communities in Cardiff.
5. Since the Cardiff Race Equality Task Force Report marks ‘the beginning of our city’s efforts to end long-standing racial injustices for good’ and provides a road map to implementing the goal of (inter alia) ‘creating a more equal capital city across our public services, voluntary sector and within our communities’, in line with the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Nation by 2030 policy:
The Council RESOLVES:
1. To support the passing of a UK Windrush Act that supports Cardiff residents.
2. To appoint a Windrush Lead Member on the Council who will:
a. Advocate for families impacted by Windrush and current legislation.
b. Provide a first point of support for Cardiff victims of the Windrush scandal and those negatively affected by the Nationalities and Borders Act 2022.
c. To promote and support a network of legal, social and voluntary sector organisations to provide an effective service for Cardiff residents affected by the Windrush Scandal and the Nationalities and Borders Act.
3. To raise our awareness of the impact of the new Nationalities and Borders Act 2022 on communities.