Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2024 were confirmed as a correct record.

There were no public questions. 

Christine Flinton, Head of Community Safety, provided the committee with information on the statutory duties imposed by the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (amended by the Counter Terrorism Border Security Act 2019) and subsequent statutory Prevent Duty and Channel guidance and provided an update on the activities to comply with those duties and next steps over the forthcoming period.

Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act placed a duty on specified authorities to consider the need to safeguard people from being drawn into terrorism.

Prevent was one of four strands of CONTEST 2018, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. CONTEST 2018 set out that Local Delivery would do this by:

?        Focusing activity and resources in those locations where the threat from terrorism and radicalisation was highest.

?        Building stronger partnerships with communities, civil society groups, public sector institutions and industry to improve Prevent delivery.

?        Re-enforcing safeguarding at the heart of Prevent to ensure communities and families were not exploited or groomed into following a path of violent extremism.

The presentation gave detail on the key elements of the delivery of Prevent. The Channel panel focused on providing multi-agency support, at an early stage, to people who were identified as being susceptible to being drawn into terrorism. Derbyshire’s Channel Panel was a joint panel with Derby City, that worked in partnership with all agencies with the statutory duty as well as other contributors.

Prevent delivery in Derbyshire was excellent across the board and exceptional in some areas. The prevent activity was outlined, including details about the Prevent Lead having developed an assessment for schools to review the risk when a young person was involved in extremist behaviours. This had been adopted nationally.

The Engagement and Education officer worked in schools and attended community groups. Benefit had been seen from the work of this officer. Education and engagement was key, so that officers could then escalate issues and work alongside national organisations.

Prevent training was mandatory for all Derbyshire County Council employees and Elected Members. Officers also provided training for partners. 8000 individuals accessed training in 2023.

Bids to the Home Office for work relating to early intervention, training, community work etc. would need to be made by mid-October. With a completion date of the work by the end of March 2025.

RESOLVED that the Committee note:

1) the statutory duties imposed on the Council by the CT&S Act to have due regard to the need to prevent people becoming involved in terrorism; and

2) the work completed, and the progress made to support implementation of the statutory guidance within Derbyshire.

Rob Bounds, Senior Transport Officer, provided the committee with an overview of approaches to managing parking outside of schools and encouraging behavioural change to support increased walking, cycling and scootering to school. The report provided background context for the substantive Committee discussion on recent special events held by several schools to introduce school streets for one day.

Four schools in Amber Valley applied to their local district council to trial a one day only closure for National Clean Air Day – 20 June 2024:

?        William Gilbert Endowed CofE Primary School (Duffield)

?        Riddings Infant and Nursery School

?        Riddings Junior School

?        St John's CofE Primary School and Nursery (Belper)

All the schools agreed the road closures helped to create a quieter, calmer and safer environment outside of school. Positive feedback was also received from residents and drivers respected the volunteer marshals. Although it was confirmed that the following day it was “back to normal” in terms of traffic congestion.

180 schools take place in Travel Smart Week and the offer was there to support other schools for future road closures. Councillor A Dale, Cabinet Member for Education wrote out to schools to share the details of the trial road closures and asked for expressions of interest.

There were no plans for school safe havens to be introduced in the County as they had the city. Although the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) would be looking at a more consistent approach across the localities.

Officers were asked to bring any future updates back to the Committee.

RESOLVED that the Committee:

1) note the content of the report; and

2) provide comment on the matters discussed herein.

The Committee’s work programme for the remainder of 2024-25 was presented and Members were invited to suggest possible items for consideration.