1. Definition of antisemitism
Q1a. Has the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Definition of Antisemitism (‘IHRA Definition’) been adopted by Devon County Council? See antisemitism.uk/definition for more information about the IHRA Definition.
No…however, the Council considered the IHRA working definition of antisemitism when developing Appendix 1 – Examples of Unacceptable Behaviour from our Acceptable Behaviour Policy which is for all staff and Members. The definition was used as a basis, but was not adopted word for word.The Council’s definition within the Policy (Appendix 1) is as follows Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and harassment on basis of religion/belief.
As above, negative stereotyping, bullying behaviour, nasty jokes, telling someone they are not welcome here and avoidance on the basis of religion/belief are unacceptable, as they are for other protected characteristics listed in this section. Hate speech attacks, threatens, or insults a person, group or their property on the basis of their identity or perceived identity. Like all forms of hate speech anti-Semitism (relating to Jews) or Islamophobia (relating to Muslims), are offensive and unacceptable.
Contemporary examples of anti-Semitism can include:
- Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing, removal or harming of Jews. •
- Making false, dehumanising, demonising, or stereotypical allegations about Jews.
- Denying the genocide of the Jewish people during World War II (the Holocaust). •
- Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
- Holding Jews collectively or individually responsible for actions of the state of Israel.
Q1b. If the IHRA Definition has been adopted, please provide the date that the motion to do so was approved and provide a link to the relevant motion/minutes.
Please see the answer to Q1 – this also applies to Q1c – Q1f.
Q1c. If the IHRA Definition has been adopted, was the IHRA Definition adopted in its entirety including all of the examples?
Q1d. If all of the examples were not adopted, which ones were omitted?
Q1e. If the IHRA Definition has not been adopted at all, was there a motion to adopt the IHRA Definition which was defeated, and if so on what date was it defeated?
Q1f. If the IHRA Definition has not yet been adopted, has adoption been timetabled?
Q2. Codes of Conduct
Q2a.If adopted, has the IHRA Definition been incorporated into the members’ code of conduct?
Please see the response to Q1a
Q2b. If adopted, has the IHRA Definition been incorporated into the officers’ and employees’ code of conduct and conditions of employment?
Please see the response to Q1a
Q2c. Who is responsible for investigating or monitoring alleged breaches of the council’s codes of conduct for members and also for employees/officers? Please provide their name, job title, e-mail address and direct telephone number.
For Members, it is the Monitoring Officer Jan Shadbolt, jan.shadbolt@devon.gov.uk 01392 382285 or Deputy Returning Officer/ Andrew Yendole) . andrew.yendole@devon.gov.uk 01392 382177
For employees it is no one individual officer, however, a contact point could be Jacky Wilson, Head of HR, jacky.wilson@devon.gov.uk, telephone 01392 383000 – ask for by name
Q3. Complaints
Q3a. How many formal complaints of anti-Semitic conduct has Devon County Council considered between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2018 against members, officers or council employees?
None against members, officers or council employees.
Q3b. How many complaints resulted in disciplinary action?
Please see the answer to Q3a
Q3c. How many complaints resulted in no disciplinary action?
Please see the answer to Q3a
Q4. Equality, diversity & training
Q4a. Who is responsible for complying with Devon County Council’s legal obligations in relation to equality and diversity? Please provide their name, job title, e-mail address and direct telephone number.
This information is published on the web page linked to – Corporate Equality Officer
Q4b. What training do Devon County Council provide to their members, officers and employees specifically on antisemitism as opposed to generally against all forms of discrimination prohibited under the Equality Act 2010?
None. We do not cover antisemitism on its own and have no current plans to introduce it.
Q4c. If such specific training on antisemitism is provided, is it conducted by Devon County Council in-house or is it outsourced to a training provider?
Q4d. If such specific training on antisemitism is outsourced, which organisation(s) provide the training?
Please see the response to Q4b.
Q5. Prevent coordinator
Q5a. Who is Devon County Council’s Prevent Coordinator? Please provide their name, job title, e-mail address and direct telephone number.
Julie Richards – contact details are email Julie.richards@devon.gov.uk and telephone 01392 383000 – ask for by name