Agenda item - Counter-Extremism

Report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing (copy attached)

20.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing the purpose of which was to brief members on the work being undertaken under the local Counter Extremism (CE) strategy to challenge extremism in all its forms.

20.2    It was noted that the National Counter Extremism (CE) Strategy had been published in October 2016, and had set out the Government’s overarching approach to tackling extremism in all its forms. The strategy had defined extremism as “vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.” The CE Strategy recognised the wider harms of extremism, outside of terrorism and radicalisation which came under “Prevent.” These wider harms had been identified as hate incidents and hate crimes, less cohesive society, harmful practices (e.g., forced marriage) and rejection of democracy and the rule of law. The CE Strategy was therefore distinct and complimentary to the Prevent Strategy.

20.3    On 24 January 2018, the Home Office had announced the appointment of a new lead Commissioner for countering Extremism. The Commission had been engaging widely since that time in order to support communities and the public sector in confronting extremism where it existed. Nationally, the most significant risks in relating groups to extreme right-wing groups and Al-Qaida or Daesh inspired or affiliated extremism.

20.4    The Council’s Communities Coordinator had come into post with the council in July 2017, as a dedicated resource to embed the national CE strategy and to build capacity in countering extremism at a local level. This was a Home Office funded post in the Communities Equality and Third Sector Team and was funded until the end of March 2019. The local CE Strategy sat within the Community Safety and Crime reduction Strategy 2017-20 and an action plan had been developed in order to support the strategy.

20.5    Anusree Biswas Sasidharan, Community Works, Ethnic and Cultural Minorities representative referred to the need for on-going collaboration.

20.6    Councillor Marsh referred to the planned training day for Committee Members enquiring whether invitations to attend the event could be extended to other Councillors. It was explained that the date and content of this event were yet to be finalised and details would be circulated to all Councillors at that time.

20.7    Councillor Nemeth stated whilst willing to support the report recommendations he proposed that the wording of recommendation 3 be amended (as set out in bold below) to take on board the broader remit of the training and feedback. The Committee concurred and the recommendations (as amended) were agreed unanimously and are set out below.

20.8    RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee notes the contents of the report;

(2) Notes that the Committee has access to the national Special Interest Group on Countering Extremism (SIGCE), and is invited to nominate a lead from each political group on the committee to join SIGCE; and

(3)       Notes that Committee Members are invited to attend the half day “Workshop on Countering Extremism” facilitated by the Communities Coordinator and note that it is possible for Councillors to feedback relevant concerns from constituents to the Communities Coordinator.