Agenda item

[To provide a report to consider the corporate implications of the duty and identify ways in which implementation can be supported]

Cllr Samuels, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, introduced the report and outlined the background to the Prevent agenda and its links to the work nationally by Government aimed at stopping people from being drawn into terrorism. Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing outlined the new responsibilities placed on the local authority and other local agencies to have due regards to preventing people from being drawn into terrorism. Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing briefed the panel on the multi-agency partnership work.

Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing commented that the threat level in Wolverhampton is assessed as being low risk by the Home Office.

Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing outlined the training and

E-learning packages offered to Councillors as part of their induction and other resources to provide training to raise awareness of the Prevent duty and responsibilities.

Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing commented on the work of the Channel Panel, a multi-agency panel. The group is chaired by Karen Samuels, Head of Community Safety.

The panel commented on the concern about the risk of young people being radicalised in primary schools and that new responsibilities placed on schools was not discussed during a briefing on safeguarding.  Furthermore, the issue is not being discussed at the school that he is a school governor.

Head of Community Safety responded that historically, the service has struggled to engage schools in the work of Prevent. However, new responsibilities placed on schools and the inclusion of Prevent in the Ofsted inspection framework has resulted in an increased interest getting training and support. Head of Community Safety commented on the training requests received from schools and staff available.

The panel discussed the work of the Chanel Panel and the changes in the role of the Counter Terrorism Unit and the importance of agencies to consider safeguarding issues.

The panel discussed the need to extend the role of communities and engage with ethnic and religious groups. The panel discussed concerns about the use of internet and social media to radicalise young people. The panel commented that messages are aimed at all communities.

The panel commented on the statutory responsibilities placed on local authority by Government without necessarily providing the necessary resources.

Head of Community Safety explained that there is a risk of people being radicalised anywhere. Head of Community Safety accepted the impact of deprivation on young people and explained that areas considered to be a higher risk do get extra funding.

Chief Inspector Tracey Packham discussed the use of internet filters but explained that it presents a challenge on how to monitor its use.  The panel discussed the impact of deprivation and the importance of engaging with all communities.

The panel queried the future funding for a post for £35,000 at the end of the fixed term contact. Head of Community Safety explained that the situation about future funding would be reviewed at the end of contract with Safer Wolverhampton Partnership.

The panel queried the assessment by Home Office about Wolverhampton being a low risk and expressed concern about incidents at football grounds and the need to monitor.

Chief Inspector Packham explained that the assessment of risk by Home Office is based on historically low referrals to Prevent and Channel Panel.  Chief Inspector Packham commented on the links with police forces across the midlands to ensure a consistent approach and the benefits of sharing of local intelligence about new risks. Chief Inspector Packham commented on the use of Local Profile data produced by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit. The Head of Community Safety added that work is now being undertaken to coordinate a Black Country approach to tackling this issue.

The panel queried the range of resources and support available to support the delivery of Prevent locally, produced by the Home Office. Head of Community Safety explained the material is not currently available but when published it will help to support the delivery of the Prevent programme locally.

Resolved:

The panel welcomed the report.