Bracknell Forest Council has a duty to make sure that its venues are used in a way that promotes safety, inclusion and community cohesion.
The council is also committed to meeting its obligations under the Prevent Duty. It will make sure that its premises are not used in a manner that could draw people into terrorism or extremist activity.
Bracknell Open Learning Centre's (the centre) hire agreement includes the following provision:
An application to use the centre’s facilities may be refused if the use by a particular association or individual:
- presents a risk of public disorder
- a risk to national security
- a risk of alienating other centre users
Speakers will not be accepted if they:
- undermine Bracknell Forest Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy
- is likely to promote the isolation of any individual or group
- has been or is currently associated with a Home Office proscribed organisation or with organisations that advocate acts of terrorism
The council has a public sector equality duty (PSED) under the Equalities Act 2010 (“the Act”) to have due regard to:
- the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act
- the advancement of equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
- the need to foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
In accordance with its public sector equality duty, the council is not prepared to hire the premises where it is not satisfied that the safety of the building and the public can be guaranteed. This includes, if it believes that the use:
- could incite hatred and discrimination
- is by an anti-democratic or neo-fascist group, or supporters of terrorism in general
- is by a group acting outside the law or who advocate civil disobedience or who act in a way that is offensive to public taste and decency
Due diligence
The majority of hires at Bracknell Open Learning Centre are repeat bookings from:
- Bracknell Forest Council staff
- public sector partners
- established community organisations
- local charities.
In these circumstances, a proportionate approach to due diligence will be taken.
Where an enquiry is received from a new or previously unknown organisation, group or individual, centre staff will have regard to the council's Reducing Permissive Environments: Venue and Speaker Hire Policy and Guidance. They will use the associated checklist to undertake appropriate due diligence. Where necessary, advice and support will be sought from the council's Prevent Lead.
Community learning visiting speakers
Visiting speakers within Community Learning programmes are typically drawn from:
- established local businesses
- charities
- public sector organisations, including the NHS and Thames Valley Police
All visiting speakers must be approved in advance by the Learning Coordinator or Community and Continuing Education Manager.
Where concerns are identified, the approach outlined within this policy, including consultation with the council's Prevent Lead where appropriate, will be followed.