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Is this 'politically-correct pussy-footing'? JOIN THE DEBATE
A HALF million pound 'community involvement' project to tackle violent extremism in Sheffield was condemned today - after it emerged much of the cash is paying for focus groups and council officials' wages.
Just 200,000 of the 505,000 budget - to be spent over the next two years - has been allocated to community work, only 50,000 of which will go to voluntary organisations at grass roots.
But 140,000 is being spent on two highly-paid staff, and 85,000 is paying for "action research" including focus groups.
Another 10,000 has already paid for two "community events" attended by 160 people from voluntary and religious groups, held earlier this year.
What do you think about the way the cash is being spent? Join the debate by adding a comment below.
Sheffield Council said the conferences have led to "agreement to develop a Prevent Reference Group to enable the voluntary, community and faith sector to play an influential role in shaping a partnership to delivery of the Sheffield Prevent Action Plan".
Sheffield Council's cabinet is today expected to approve the rest of the project - but the way funding is to be allocated has angered leading Muslims.
Abdool Gooljar, chairman of the Islamic Society of Britain's Sheffield branch, said: "It's outrageous. Just how is the community going to benefit? Money needs to be spent at grass-roots level, where Muslim children say they feel alienated, labelled as terrorists and don't feel part of the community.
"The money is being spent in areas where it is not going to do anything."
Laura Midgley, co-founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness, hired by new Mayor of Doncaster Peter Davies to "root out political correctness", added: "It's an awful lot of talking and hot air. It's politically-correct pussy-footing. The money needs to be spent on the front line."
A spokesman for campaign group the Taxpayers' Alliance said: "Sheffield Council needs to be sure the grants it awards go to worthwhile projects, and not to schemes with jargon-filled objectives.."
Sheffield has received a total of 505,000 for the work - 485,000 from the Government's 'Prevent' counter terrorism strategy, and 20,000 from the Youth Offending Service.
Of the 200,000 actually allocated for community work, 50,000 is to be handed out in three rounds of grants to voluntary groups over 2009/10 for "activities to challenge discrimination and strengthen cohesion".
Grants of up to 3,000 are available for individual projects to be run by community and voluntary groups.
Sheffield Council cabinet has been recommended to approve the entire scheme at its meeting today.
A total of 12.5m has been allocated by the Government for Prevent Strategy projects across the UK, which initially targeted Islamic extremism but are now being extended to also look at far-right groups.
Other areas receiving funding through the initiative include Rotherham, given 360,000 to spend by March 2011.
Barnsley Council has not received funding through the scheme and Doncaster Council does not receive its first share until 2010/11.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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