Agenda item

The Chair welcomed Sara Khan, Commissioner for Countering Extremism, who introduced item four.  The Commissioner stated that councils are vital to this work, as council workers are on the front line, whose voice and work is invaluable. 

The Commissioner updated members on her visit to 20 different towns and cities, including talks councillors and officers as well as with critics of extremism policy, and the public consultation which has played a vital part of the commission’s work as it represents the public views on this. 

The Commissioner stated that extremism threatens democracy, liberty and the public’s freedoms, including freedom of expression - the commission aims to champion freedom of expression, but to protect the public.  The Commissioner went through the proposed broad areas of work; tackling behaviours including those that seek to restrict the rights of others, hateful extremism and violent extremism; addressing the range of harms associated with extremism including mental health issues, crime and violence. The main focus of the Commission will be tackling hateful extremism, which was discussed in the Board report, and include hateful behaviour and the incitement of hatred.  Finally, the Commissioner mentioned the on-going protests in Birmingham, the group of which aims to stop LGBT education in primary schools.  The Commissioner stated that whilst the parents are completely within their right to protest, hateful extremist groups are actively exploiting this. 

The Commissioner then handed over to Euan Neill who confirmed that the Government is committed to move this work on, and that the challenge ahead is becoming more victim focused.  The commission aims to bring a rights-based approach, including:

1.    A greater public awareness of what hateful extremism is: the commission is writing a statement on this.  

2.    Delivering better interventions: this offer is via a toolbox to offer the right interventions to local areas, and promote best practices of new and innovative practises. 

3.    Better leadership across society: this is a vital aspect and needs consistency, with the Commission working with others to help develop that leadership. 

4.    More transparent leadership with a new Home Secretary chaired taskforce being a possibility.  

5.    The role of education and what is done about the unregulated sector. 

Following the Commissioners update, members made the following comments:

Members discussed how some local authorities are receiving additional funding, and questioned that there would surely be a better outcome if all councils get funding given the importance of this national issue.  The Commissioner stated that this issue has arisen through the public consultation, and that this funding should not be at the expense of other services such as youth centres.  The Chair stated that the commission does not hold any funding powers, and that the LGA always raise these points through all consultations that are undertaken.  The Chair also mentioned how this work feeds into the #CouncilsCan campaign.  

Members questioned what can the commission do to get Government departments to buy into this work? Members mentioned the Birmingham example, and reported that one head teacher felt let down by the Department of Education (DoE).  The Commissioner confirmed that the new strategy she would be publishing would require the DoE to take action, and that she had personally said not enough was being done to address this issue.

Members raised concerns over the public’s support and confidence in this work, and how do we get a strategy that everyone has confidence in? The Commissioner responded that there needed to be a consensus on how to tackle extremism – although practitioners like the Government’s definition of extremism the public did not. The Commissioner went on to explain that the challenge is to balance the public’s right to freedom of expression and the harms that hateful extremism has on all victims, including children and young people.  This stage of the work is about getting all people – both the public and Government – to buy into a new way of thinking.  

Members highlighted the key role the voluntary sector had to play, and asked if their work will be incorporated.  The Commissioner stated that the civil society’s role is huge especially in tackling extremist narratives, however, a lack of funding is recognised by the commission and that the third sector needs a significant increase of support from Government.  The Chair supported this, saying a strength of the Serious Violence Taskforces was the involvement of charities and civil society groups to give their feedback.  

Members questioned if protection and early intervention for violence against women and girls (VAWG) will be a distinct area that the commission will focus on? Members mentioned honour-based violence and Female Genital Mutilation as two examples that feed into countering extremism.  The Commissioner responded that the plan will link to the VAWG strategy, which provides support and best practice for these crimes. 

Members supported a two-year plan for this work, and asked if this was a possibility.  The Commissioner responded that the report will focus on steps going forward, and develop what the commission aims to do.  The Commissioner confirmed that there would be a two year work programme.

Decisions

Members of the SSCB:

1.    Noted the updates on national counter-extremism policy, the Commission for Countering Extremism and support for local authorities; and

2.    Considered and offered feedback on the issues and suggestions outlined in paragraph 15, which members raised with the Commissioner.