Our Ref: SS/CIGT/ FOI 3357

Date: 19 October 2009

Mr Luqman Khan

Via email

Email address: [FOI #18244 email]

Dear Mr Luqman

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Request for Information

Please accept the following as Birmingham City Council's formal response to your Freedom of Information requested dated 21 September 2009, regarding Preventing Violent Extremism grants.

The questions put forward are in Bold for reference.

1. Name the people/ organisations Birmingham City Council (BCC) consulted before deciding to use the Preventing Violent Extremism grants provided by government. Provide detailed evidence.

Cabinet Member for Equalities and HR, Councillor Alan Rudge convened the first consultation meeting with all elected members on 31 January 2007 in the Council House. This was followed by a community consultation meeting with key figures across different faiths on 1 February 2007 in the Council Chamber. A record of attendance had not been created as it was a public event. Projects suggested in these consultation meetings fell under 5 themes of Reclaiming Islam, Media, Women, Young People and Cross Cutting Projects.

On 20 February 2007 Cllr Rudge hosted a third meeting with elected members and community representatives in the Council Chamber to outline and consult on a number of projects under the 5 themes that the Council would work to identify appropriate levels of funding. A record of attendance was not created. Birmingham City Council prepared a bid for specific projects following the community consultations to the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG).

In March 2007 the British Muslim Forum in partnership with Birmingham City Council held a conference with leading Muslim scholars from the Muslim world to communicate more widely to the communities Birmingham's PVE programme and the ideas for building community resilience to violent extremism. The co-ordination of the attendance for this event was undertaken by the British Muslim Forum.

2. How did BCC carry out the consultation about Preventing Violent Extremism grants. Provide detailed evidence.

A series of community consultation events were held at Birmingham City Council House and took place on 31/01/07, 01/02/07 and 20/02. An open invitation was sent to Council Members and representatives from religious and faith institutions.

3. What information did BCC give to the people/ organisations consulted about the Preventing Violent Extremism grants. Provide detailed evidence. Provide detailed evidence.

Attendees were supplied with a presentation of the PVE project proposals and informed of the city council's intention to bid for funding for a Pathfinder pilot.

4. What feed-back did BCC get from the people/ organisations consulted about Preventing Violent Extremism grants. Provide detailed evidence.

Projects suggested in these consultation meetings fell under 5 themes of Reclaiming Islam, Media, Women, Young People and Cross Cutting Projects. No feedback was initiated at this point - as the project was developed in partnership with Government Office West Midlands it was considered sensible to allow the Department for Communities and Local Government an opportunity to provide an initial assessment of viability.

5. What impact assessment of the outcomes to be achieved did BCC carry out before inviting people/ organisations to apply for the Preventing Violent Extremism grants. Provide detailed evidence.

Attached within our response is a copy of the impact assessment for the PVE Delivery Plan and is attached for reference.

6. How did BBC determine which people/ groups were/are suitable for Preventing Violent Extremism grants. Provide detailed evidence.

The city council's commissioning framework requires the completion of an application form. The form has set criteria for funding and engagement. Each form is then scored using a scoring matrix and signed off by the PVE Steering Group. A copy of the form is attached for reference.

7. Provide the details of the outcomes achieved for each completed year of Preventing Violent Extremism grants.

Attached within our response is a copy of the independent evaluation report for the Pathfinder (07/08) and NI 35 self assessment for 08/09.

8. Provide the details of the outputs achieved for each completed year of Preventing Violent Extremism grants.

This is a repetition of question 7.

9. Provide the details of the regular monitoring for each completed year of the Preventing Violent Extremism grants.

Attached within our response is a copy of the monitoring form used within the PVE Programme. Each commissioned service is required to complete this on a monthly basis.

10. Provide details of the people/ organisations to be given Preventing Violent Extremism grants for this year.

Attached within our response is a listing of grant recipients so far for 2009-10.

11. Provide details of the amount of Preventing Violent Extremism grants of which BCC has already decided to use for future years.

The full funding amount for 2008 to 2011 is £2.4 million. All PVE spend will conclude on 31 March 2011.

12. What ongoing consultation is there about the Preventing Violent Extremism grants. Provide detailed evidence.

A number of community representatives are members of the PVE Steering Group. A document containing the full membership is attached for information

13. Who are the people/ organisations involved in the ongoing consultation of the Preventing Violent Extremism grants. Provide detailed evidence.

Additional to the PVE Steering Group there are elected member forums in Hodge Hill, Hall Green and Perry Barr.

14. The people/ organisation consulted about Preventing Violent Extremism grants did BCC tell them that in January 2007 The Commission for Racial Equality issued enforcement order on BCC because BCC was not complying with the Race Relations Act and that in February 2007 the Audit Commission CPA report said that BCC was not complying with the Race Relations Act. Provide detailed evidence.

This was not communicated at any consultation meeting as the city council did not receive an enforcement order by the Commission for Racial Equality for non compliance.

If you are not satisfied with the response you may ask for an internal review. If subsequently you are not satisfied with the Council's decision you may apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at the following address:

The Information Commissioner

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545745

Web Address: www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Corporate Information Governance Team

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