CITY CHOSEN FOR INTEGRATION PROJECT

Peterborough chosen as pilot area for strategy to bring communities together

Peterborough has been chosen as a pilot area for a new government strategy to bring communities together and teach “British values.”

The city is one of five places to share £50 million and will now fund new methods of integration over the next two years.

Proposals could see pupils from a single ethnic or religious community be required to ensure they mix with children from other backgrounds.

The announcement forms part of the Government’s Integrated Communities Strategy.

City council leader Cllr John Holdich said he was delighted Peterborough had been chosen as a pilot area.

He added: “Peterborough has a long and proud history of welcoming newcomers to our city, built up over generations.

“At the same time, we recognise some of the challenges the city and our public services have faced in managing the increase in more recent new arrival population growth.

“Despite this, and building on our history of successful integration, we recognise the positive effects of our work to build and maintain a cohesive city, of the impact and effectiveness of our relationships with our multi-faith and non-faith partners, and of the recognition we have gained of being a welcoming and tolerant city.

“Our ongoing Syrian Refugee resettlement programme is one example of this approach.”

The other pilot areas are Blackburn, Bradford, Walsall and the London borough of Waltham Forest.

Among the proposals in the strategy are:

. A new community-based English language programme, with a network of conversation clubs and support for councils to improve provision of tuition

. Personalised skills training to help women from ‘isolated’ communities into work

. Measures to ensure young people have the opportunity to mix and form lasting relationships with thosefromdifferent backgrounds

. Promotion of British values across the school curriculum . Increased take-up of the National Citizen Service.

Announcing the strategy, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid higlighted “divided” communities in Britain.

But Abdul Choudhuri, chairman of the Faizan-eMadinah Mosque in Gladstone Street, believes Peterborough is already well integrated.

He said: “We have a very good relationship with all the communities.

“We are already working towards a harmonious relationship as one community and we are very successful. We do not have the sort of issues that other towns and cities have.

“But there are several things we can improve, and if funding is available things could be done in a better way.”

Peterborough currently holds celebratory festivals for communities, including the Italians, Portuguese and Poles, as well as the Diwali Festival.

The council also uses ‘community connectors’ - people who reach different community groups living in the city.

Cllr Irene Walsh, council cabinet member for communities, said: “It is an exciting time for the council and a fantastic opportunity for us to better understand what an inclusive city looks like and how it is achieved and maintained.

“In the meantime, we will continue to celebrate and promote the inclusivity and integration of our city.”

‘We do not have the sort of issues that other towns and cities have’