1. Presentation to London Funders Recommendations of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion
James Kingston
Cohesion & Faiths
Communities & Local Government /

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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?”

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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]

13. 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]

14. 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)
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