Presentation to London Funders Recommendations of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion James Kingston Cohesion & Faiths Communities & Local Government james.kingston@communities.gsi.gov.uk / 020 7944 0531

This presentation Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders Commission recommendations on ‘single group funding’ Other Commission recommendations on funding issues Key points Considerations for funders

History of community cohesion policy area Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders 2001: Disturbances in Bradford, Burnley & Oldham, and elsewhere Report of the Independent Review team (‘The Cantle Report’) identifies that “ the depth of polarisation of our towns and cities… many communities operate on the basis of a series of parallel lives. These lives often do not seem to touch at any point, let alone overlap and promote any meaningful interchanges.” Cohesion and Faiths Unit created in the Home Office to address these challenges.

Definition of community cohesion Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders The Local Government Association defines a cohesive community as one where: there is a common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities; the diversity of people’s backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued; those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities; and strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds and circumstances in the workplace, in schools and in neighbourhoods.

Measurement of community cohesion Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders PSA target on cohesion measured through the key question: “To what extent do you agree or disagree that this local area (within 15 – 20 minutes walking distance) is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together?”

Cohesion – current levels Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders

Attitudinal model of cohesion – statistical, not causal links (from 2005 Citizenship Survey) Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders N.B. new research has also identified fear of crime and participation as additional factors

Commission on Integration and Cohesion Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders An independent advisory body which identified: Typologies of areas and good practice most pertinent to each Need for programme of work aimed at delivering a shared future Need for increased understanding of both the rights and responsibilities Need for a wider commitment to civil society, and respect for others (i.e. building mutual respect and civility Need for a commitment to equality that sits alongside the need to make social justice visible Need for action in the four spheres: schools, neighbourhoods, workplace, sport/culture.

CIC recommendations on ‘single group funding’ (recommendation 56) Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders that if Single Group Funding is awarded, the reasons behind that award should be clearly publicised to all communities in the local area. that it is made clear to the organisation receiving the grant that any application for renewal of funding or additional resources will be expected to clearly demonstrate the progress the organisation has made in becoming more outward-facing that guidance for grant-making bodies and Local Authorities should be developed by Communities and Local Government, working in partnership with the Office for the Third Sector, the LGA and other relevant voluntary bodies, to assist them in making decisions about the appropriateness of Single Group Funding

Other CIC recommendations on funding issues (recommendation 55) Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders That nationally, cultural development agencies, including the Arts Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, should require applicants for funding to demonstrate their commitment to integration and cohesion outcomes and part of its funding criteria. That this same principle should apply to local public agencies when considering the potential for “bridging” activities across communities when funding sports and arts projects.

Hazel Blears’ response to the Commission’s report Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders Broad welcome for the report; ten key actions: £50 million investment over the next three years to promote community cohesion and support local authorities in preventing and managing community tensions Promotion of new 'Citizen Days' across all local areas in England Information packs for new migrants Specialist integration and cohesion teams New national indicators on promoting cohesion A rebalancing of local translation provision with a much greater emphasis on learning English. New Cohesion funding guidance. Practical support on cohesion A new interfaith strategy Increasing our understanding of what works.

Features of CLG’s approach to cohesion guidance to funders Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders Key points to meet our goals on integration and cohesion, we want to prioritise activities that promote bridging social capital. focus is principally on the activity being funded rather than the organisation delivering it. guidance should apply to both mainstream funding, and to specific cohesion grants. all of this will be driven by the local context and specific local needs at the time of funding. [NB our precise approach is still being developed]

Features of CLG’s approach to cohesion guidance to funders Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders Considerations funders could apply: Is there a clear case for this activity to be funded even though it will only involve one group or community? Or can we harness this funding to contribute to wider goals on integration and cohesion? Would a funding “progression principle” help this group identify plans for future interaction across groups? Is there a need for a particular communications plan for this funding decision? Is this funding aligned with the area’s wider community cohesion strategy? How else might this project or activity demonstrate its commitment to integration and cohesion? [NB our precise approach is still being developed]

Some key cohesion documents Cohesion – the policy context The Commission on Integration and Cohesion CLG’s response to the Commission and its recommendations Some features of our approach on guidance for funders Home Office/ODPM: Community Cohesion: A Report of the Independent Review Team (2001) Building Cohesive Communities: A Report of the Ministerial Group on Public Order and Community Cohesion (2001) Building a Picture of Community Cohesion (2003) Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society: The Government’s Strategy to Increase Race Equality and Community Cohesion (2005) Community Cohesion: SEVEN STEPS – A Practitioner’s Toolkit (2005) Communities and Local Government Citizenship Survey 2005 – Cross-Cutting Themes (2006) Citizenship Survey 2005 – Community Cohesion Topic Report (2006) Local Government Association Community Cohesion – An Action Guide (2004) Leading Cohesive Communities (2006) Media Trust/Society of Editors Reporting Diversity: How journalists can contribute to community cohesion (2005) Commission on Integration and Cohesion Our Shared Future (2007) Available at www.communities.gov.uk - Home › Communities and neighbourhoods › Race, cohesion and faith › Community Cohesion › Publications