FOI request (FOIR-356091203)

Campaign Against Anti-Semitism

Requested Fri 13 August 2021
Responded  Wed 08 September 2021

Q1 - Definition of anti-Semitism

Q1a. Since you responded to our last request on 11th October 2019, we understand that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Definition of Anti-Semitism ('IHRA Definition') has been adopted by Hastings Borough Council on 21st October 2020.

See antisemitism.org/definition for more information about the IHRA Definition and the IHRA statement on the integrity of the examples.

Please confirm if the IHRA Definition was adopted in full by the Council on 21st October 2020 and provide a working link to the motion/minutes evidencing the adoption.

Q1b. Since adoption by the Council, please confirm if any motions amending or rejecting adoption have been passed or defeated by the Council?

Q1c. If your answer to Q1b is yes, kindly confirm what was amended the date of amendment/rejection and a copy/working link to the motion/minutes amending or rejecting adoption.

Q2 - Codes of Conduct

Q2a. Has the IHRA Definition been incorporated into the members' code of conduct?

Q2b. Has the IHRA Definition been incorporated into the officers' and employees' code of conduct and conditions of employment?

Q2c. Who is the person responsible for investigating or monitoring alleged breaches of the council's codes of conduct? Please provide their name, job title, e-mail address and direct telephone number.

Q3 - Complaints

Q3a. Is the IHRA Definition used to define anti-Semitism for disciplinary purposes?

Q3b. If not, how is anti-Semitism defined for disciplinary purposes?

Q3c. How many formal complaints of anti-Semitic conduct has the Council considered between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2020 against members, officers or council employees?

Q3c. How many complaints resulted in disciplinary action?

Q3d. How many complaints resulted in no disciplinary action?

Q4 - Equality, Diversity and Training

Q4a. Who is responsible for complying with Hastings Borough Council's legal obligations in relation to equality and diversity? Please provide their name, job title, e-mail address and direct telephone number.

Q4b. What training does Hastings Borough Council provide to its members, officers and employees specifically on anti-Semitism as opposed to generally against all forms of discrimination prohibited under the Equality Act 2010?

Q4c. If such specific training on anti-Semitism is provided, is it conducted by the Council in-house or is it outsourced to a training provider?

Q4d. If such specific training on anti-Semitism is outsourced, which organisation(s) provide the training?

Q5 - Prevent Coordinator

Q5a. Who is Hastings Borough Council's Prevent Coordinator? Please provide their name, job title, e-mail address and direct telephone number.

Response

Q1 - Definition of anti-Semitism

1a. The Full Council adopted the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism on 21st October 2020. The minutes of the meeting are available at:

https://hastings.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g4134/Public%20minutes%2021st-Oct-2020%2018.00%20Full%20Council.pdf?T=11

1b. No motions amending or rejecting adoption of the IHRA definition have been tabled since adoption on the 21st October 2020.

1c. N/A

Q2 - Codes of Conduct

2a. No

2b. No

2c. Mary Kilner, Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer

Q3 - Complaints

3a. No

3b. Differing types of discrimination are not individually defined in our policies.

3c. 0

3d. N/A

Q4 - Equality, Diversity and Training

4a. Verna Connolly, Executive Manager of People, Customer and Business Support - email: hrhelpdesk@hastings.gov.uk, telephone: 01424 451777

4b. Currently no specific training.

4c. N/A

4d. N/A

Q5 - Prevent Coordinator

John Whittington, Community Safety Manager - email: jwhittington@hastings.gov.uk telephone: 01424 451438