Agenda item - Prevent - New Statutory Duty

Extract from the proceedings of the Neighbourhoods, Communities & Equalities Committee meeting held on the 5^th October 2015, together with a report from the Director of Public Health (copies attached).

49.1         Councillor Daniel introduced the report which detailed the new general statutory ‘Prevent Duty’ for the local authority and other statutory partners.  She noted that the duty applied to all areas of work in relation to protecting young people from extremism and she commended the report to all Members.

49.2         Councillor Littman welcomed the report and stated that where work made things safer it had to be supported.  However, he was concerned that it might be counter-productive given that the Prevent agenda had been working well to date, with collaborative approaches with partner agencies; but he feared the new duty could lead to opposite results if it was not carefully managed.

49.3         Councillor Bell stated that he endorsed the work to date and believed the Committee was working well and thanked Councillor Daniel for bringing the matter to the council.  There was a need to ensure that the council did not fail to meet its duty and to protect communities.

49.4         The Mayor noted that the report had been referred for information and therefore moved that it be noted.

49.5         RESOLVED: That the report be noted.