To consider the research report - ‘Unknown and Unseen: the Social, Economic and Cultural needs of the Kashmiri Community in Rochdale’.

The Director for Neighbourhoods, Community and Culture provided Cabinet with a research report. It was reported that following feedback from a ‘community equalities listening event’ hosted by the council, members of the Kashmiri heritage community highlighted concerns around their unmet needs in Rochdale.

Members were informed that between 2015 – 2017 the University of Manchester were asked to undertake a research project to identify the social, cultural and economic needs of the Kashmiri community in Rochdale borough and to explore a method for delivering services to communities who do not fit into existing monitoring systems.

The research report provided information to Members on Kashmiri heritage communities including: approximate population size in Rochdale borough, migration and settlement, growth of community infrastructure, socioeconomic factors and their needs in relation to health, education, the criminal justice system. The report also included a series of recommendations for the Council, partners and national bodies to consider.

RESOLVED

1)    That Cabinet note the recommendations stated throughout the research report.

2)    That Cabinet note that council Officers and external partners had shared the findings of the report and developed an action plan.

3)    That a copy of the report be sent to the Major of Manchester and Leaders of all other GM Authorities