Community Relations

Mr. Paul Goodman
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what response she plans to make to the recommendation that more Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund projects should be targeted at disrupting those who promote violent extremism and those who support the institutions where they are active made on page 62 of the report, Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund: Mapping of Project Activities 2007-08 published on 10 December 2008;

(2) what steps she plans to take in response to the recommendation for increased partnership working with educational establishments, arts and sports providers to deliver the PREVENT strategy made on page 7 of the report Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund: Mapping of Project Activities 2007-08 published on 10 December 2008; and if she will make a statement;

(3) whether her Department plans to undertake research into effective partnership working on the PREVENT strategy as recommended on page 10 of the report Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund: Mapping of Project Activities 2007-08 published on 10 December 2008;

(4) whether she plans to provide further guidance to local authorities on gathering and presenting evaluation evidence on projects funded as part of the PREVENT strategy as recommended on page 10 of the report Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund: Mapping of Project Activities 2007-08 published on 10 December 2008;

(5) what steps she plans to take in response to the recommendation that local authorities should be encouraged to fund more Preventing Violent Extremism projects using mosque-based delivery and electronic and printed materials made on page 10 of the report Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund: Mapping of Project Activities 2007-08 published on 10 December 2008; and if she will make a statement;

(6) what steps she plans to take in response to the recommendation that good practice with respect to Preventing Violent Extremism projects should be shared among local authorities and projects made on page 10 of the report Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund: Mapping of Project Activities 2007-08 published on 10 December 2008;

(7) what steps she plans to take in response to the recommendations that all local authorities and projects should provide a lead name contact responsible for monitoring and evaluation with respect to Preventing Violent Extremism projects made on page 10 of the report Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund: Mapping Project Activities 2007-08, published on 10 December 2008.

Mr. Khan
The Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund: Mapping of project activities 2007-08 was one of a number of reviews over the summer which sought to draw out learning and emerging practice on the delivery of activity to prevent violent extremism. Though each review had a different focus, together they provide a useful package of learning material upon which local partners can draw and which will inform the Government's approach to Prevent.

There are a number of common themes which run through all these reviews. Some of these require action from national Government, some from local partners and many from both. We have ensured wide distribution of the Pathfinder Fund Mapping report to enable local partners to benefit directly from information on the range of Pathfinder projects and how they are contributing to the Prevent strategy. We published “Delivering Prevent—Responding to Learning” on 10 December, which sets out the key strands of learning from the reviews and work already under way to address these key themes. We will continue to develop our response to the reviews throughout the year. A copy of “Delivering Prevent—Responding to Learning” has been placed in the House Library and can also be downloaded at:

www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/1098129.pdf

Mr. Paul Goodman
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the new Centre of Excellence referred to in her press release of 10 December 2008 entitled Government steps up the fight against extremism, will be set up; how many people it will employ; what support it will provide to whom; what the annual running costs are expected to be; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Khan
At the 10 December Prevent 08 Conference the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government stated that over the coming months a ‘national centre of excellence’ would be developed to be up and running in 2009, that any local area can access for practical advice on Prevent.

We are currently working with local and national partners to agree how the centre will operate.