Agenda item - Brighton and Hove Faith Covenant

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

24.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Inclusion, Communities and Equalities seeking approval for the council to sign up to a covenant with the faith communities of Brighton and Hove which committed both the council and the communities to working together in an open, respectful and collaborative manner for the benefit of the city.

24.2    The Head of Communities and Equality, Emma Mc Dermott presented the report and was accompanied by Mr Rik Child, Chair of the faith covenant group. It was noted that the covenant set out practical commitments within the partnership with the common goal of helping more people and communities in the city to flourish and meet their full potential. Birmingham City Council had been the first local authority to respond to the call from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society for all local authorities across the UK to sign up to the newly developed Faith Covenant, since which time eleven other local authorities had signed up to a faith covenant for their area.

24.3    Representatives from the Brighton and Hove Faith Council including its co-ordinator and chair had worked together with officers from the Council’s Communities, Equality and Third Sector Team to develop the covenant as set out in appendix 1 to the report. During August and September the co-ordinator had recirculated the covenant to all faith groups in the city asking if any objected to signing off of the final text. Representatives from forty one faith groups, including the Anglican Bishop of Lewes had said that they had no objections and wished to proceed; no faith groups had raised any objection and those who managed the faith council which was made up of Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist representatives had given the text their unanimous support.

24.4    Joanne Martindale, Hangleton & Knoll Project stated that it was encouraging to note the hard work which had taken place in order to build up the network of relations across the various organisations involved. Councillor Cattell concurred stating that the positive approach which had been adopted by all was welcomed.

24.5    Councillor West whilst citing the valuable collaborative work which had been undertaken considered that it was also very important that groups also recognised their differences. Mr Child responded stated that recognition and respect for differences was very much the ethos of the covenant which it was hoped would build a positive bridge across diverse communities. Though an umbrella organisation it was diverse in its make-up whilst about 30 % of its representation came from those of the Christian faith many other faith groups were included.

24.6    Councillor Nemeth was pleased to note the comprehensive nature of this group and the work which had been undertaken. Councillors Peltzer Dunn and K Norman concurred also noting that there were a number of people who had no faith hoping that their input could also be included.

24.7    Councillor Marsh stated that as someone of no faith she had been overwhelmed by the volume of positive work which she become aware of during her recent year in office as Mayor.

24.8    Councillor Moonan stated that the work which under pinned the report provided a valuable contribution and the Chair, Councillor Daniel, commended it to Members and sought their approval to the recommendations.

24.9    RESOLVED – That on behalf of the council, the Committee approves the Brighton and Hove Faith Covenant as set out in appendix 1 to the report.