RESOLVED:

1.         That the report and recommendations (attached in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report) arising from the scrutiny review of the implementation of the Prevent duty in Merton’s schools undertaken by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel be noted.

2.         That the implementation of the recommendations through an action plan being drawn up by officers in consultation with the lead Cabinet Member be agreed.

3.         That this action plan be submitted to the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel for consideration.

Councillor Kelly Braund, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, introduced the report, thanking all officers and teachers of the schools involved in the Task Group and welcomed how they had embedded the values of Prevent into the heart of their curriculum, and this was echoed by the Director of Children, Schools and Families who expressed her pride in the way Merton’s schools had taken on their Prevent duty.

At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Joan Henry, Chair of the Task Group presented the report thanking all those involved, particularly the contributions of the schools.

Councillor Edith Macauley, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities advised that the Joint Consultative Committee with for Ethnic Minority Organisations had also contributed to the Task Group and had welcomed the recommendations and positive contributions of those involved.

Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah, Cabinet Member for Education welcomed the recommendations, stressing that there was a collective responsibility to protect Merton’s young people from becoming radicalised, and thanked all those involved.

The Chair thanked the Scrutiny Task Group for their valuable work and welcomed the report.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the report and recommendations (attached in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report) arising from the scrutiny review of the implementation of the Prevent duty in Merton’s schools undertaken by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel be noted.

2.         That the implementation of the recommendations through an action plan being drawn up by officers in consultation with the lead Cabinet Member be agreed.

3.         That this action plan be submitted to the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel for consideration.