The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “V”) which asks Members to consider work taking place on building stronger communities within Bradford District and to note the planned approach to responding to the ‘Casey Review – A review into opportunity and integration’.

Recommended –

(1)       Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider        the work taking place across district on building stronger and         more cohesive communities and make any recommendations about approach.

(2)       That Area Committees receive a breakdown of work taking place          at a constituency level.

(3)       That Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviews local            approach in light of any emerging government response to the   Casey Review, once this has been published.

(Ian Day - 01274 433507)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “V”) which asked Members to consider the work taking place on building stronger communities within Bradford District and to note the planned approach to responding to the ‘Casey Review – A review into opportunity and integration’.

The Assistant Director Neighbourhoods and Community Safety gave a summary of the work undertaken and achievements to date, which were detailed in the report, stating that the Council was working with all religious groups and other organisations in its response to the Louise Casey report on opportunity and integration, which will give its recommendations to the government.

During the discussion the Chair stated that the report failed to portray the reality of community cohesion in Bradford and that Bradford was now a more divided city than ever before, and that community relations in the city were better 25 years ago, adding that in many areas in this city people were afraid to go, depending on their ethnicity. He cited that 3 pubs in his ward had been targeted on bonfire night in what could only be seen as a racist attack.

He urged that officers  should start to do things in a different way. As there was a tendency to consult with and use the same organisations time and time again, such as the Council for Mosque which was not representative of the community.  He suggested that more work needed to be done on the doorstep and getting new groups on board, otherwise he could envisage more problems if this issue is not tackled head on.

A Member stated that at a recent event at the synagogue there were armed police posted outside, and he questioned the wisdom of a Jewish event needing police protection. He mentioned that people in his ward were reluctant to come to Bradford because they did not feel safe and it was this sort of perception that had to be tackled, adding that when it came to integration, both sides of the community didn’t want to integrate.  He also expressed his concerns at the levels of anti-Semitism being espoused on line which needed to be tackled.

A number of Members gave examples of their experiences and citing incidents and issues relating to community cohesion within their wards.

A Members suggested that officers needed to get out  into the streets; instead of just working with certain community organisation on distinct projects.

In response to the plethora of issues and concerns raised by Members, the Assistant Director Neighbourhood and Customer Services stated that there was work going on with different communities, however he recognised that there was more work to be done, and to this end officers were not complacent on the issue and that funding was being put into areas to tackle entrenched views.

He added that, in general, people agreed that Bradford district was a welcoming city where people get on with each other and added that the report outlined some amazing work taking place by a wide range of groups and individuals.

Members acknowledged the positive work done and suggested that the Council continues to engage positively at all levels, including engagement with Government in order to tackle the issues head on.

Resolved –

(1)       The Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the work taking      place across district on building stronger and more cohesive        communities.

(2)       That Area Committees receive a breakdown of work taking         place at a constituency level.

(3)       The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviews the    local approach in light of any emerging government response to      the Casey Review, once this has been published.

(4)       That this Committee welcomes the work undertaken, but requests       that officers recognise and work with problem areas within the          District in relation to the comments raised by Members.

ACTION: Strategic Director Place