Council managers have been ordered to employ more people from ethnic minorities after it was revealed that less than two per cent of their workforce is black.

About nine per cent of Oxford's population is made up of ethnic minorities.

But latest statistics reveal that only seven of the 389 people employed by City Works, the maintenance arm of the city council's workforce, are black.

The figure amounts to less than two per cent of the total.

City councillors described the findings as "disturbing" and demanded that managers double the number of non-white staff within two years.

Speaking after a meeting of the city's strategy and resources committee, Cllr John Goddard told the Oxford Mail: "I find the proportion of black people who are not shortlisted for council jobs disturbing.

"Last year there were ten Afro-Caribbeans shortlisted for City Works jobs and only one was employed. I know of no explanation for this."

He added: "It appears an explanation is called for. We must look into this."

Councillors said managers should aim to quadruple the number of black workers within four years.

Story date: Monday 05 April

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