A row has broken out after Conservatives scrapped plans to introduce racial training for dinner ladies and council workers.

A series of training workshops had been planned as part of a package agreed by the previous Liberal Democrat/Labour administration.

The proposed training would have seen consultants advise council workers and dinner ladies on racial equality issues.

The decision to put the brakes on the £27,000 measures has angered councillors.

Former council leader, Liberal Democrat Chris Maines, sparked the exchange after branding the Conservatives "racist and xenophobic".

The proposed training followed recommendations in the MacPherson Report on the botched police inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence and Cllr Maines is furious it has been ditched.

He said: "Refusing to embrace the cultural diversity of our society proves they are both racist and xenophobic.

"There seems to be a huge fear at the very mention of the word race. I just can't understand it.

"It is so petty as this was such a small amount of money and it would have ensured Bromley Council would have met the needs of the different groups in the community. You cannot ignore the individual needs of people or groups."

But Conservative leader Councillor Michael Tickner rejected the accusations, claiming Cllr Maines was a "disgraced, failed leader who should keep his mouth shut for a few weeks."

He insisted the schemes were patronising and insulting and would breed resentment among staff.

He added: "It is just politically-correct nonsense. We have never been afraid to talk about race but the former administration seems obsessed with it.

"They are the ones who are racist as they make staff fill out forms about what race they are. But that is all old hat now.

"Our staff are fully aware of their obligations on race issues and they certainly don't need to waste their time attending training courses. Racial equality is all about treating everyone as equals and not singling people out for special training.

"To spend money on this would have been crass stupidity. We shall save the money and keep our council tax down."

Eltham College catering supervisor Veronica Paton said: "I have never come across any problems in this school regarding race. We have a mix of ethnic minorities but our ladies are adept at dealing with different situations. I don't feel educating them would be beneficial. If I lived in the borough I would much rather see the council tax come down."

September 13, 2001 10:32

Matt Bamsey