Terms of reference

The Board is a non-statutory group to advise Welsh Government and policy makers across the public (devolved and non-devolved) and third sector about countering hateful attitudes and hate crime and to make required changes across agencies in Wales.

The Hate and Community Tensions Board Cymru will provide leadership across criminal justice agencies and other relevant partners in Wales on tackling hate crime and community tensions.

• To develop and deliver a forward work programme relating to hate and cohesion commitments in the Criminal Justice Anti-Racism Action Plan for Wales, Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, LGBTQ+ Action Plan, Disabled People’s Rights Plan and other relevant plans to provide advice and drive progress.
• To share and discuss data and information in relation to current hate crime and community tension trends across Wales.
• To explore positive interventions across Wales to support victims, encourage active bystanders and discourage perpetrators, recommending that members implement and evaluate these where possible.
• To retain flexibility to consider and respond to emerging issues in relation to hateful attitudes and hate crime.

The HCTBC will meet at least 4 times per year, virtually by default, with up to one meeting a year in person. 

The Welsh Government will undertake secretariat responsibilities for the HCTBC.

Nominations for the Chair of the HCTBC can be made by any existing HCTBC Member. Self-nomination will be permitted. Non-HCTBC Members can be nominated by an existing Member of the Board. The Chair must represent a public sector organisation. The Deputy Chair will be a function of the Welsh Government and will not be subject to election.

A Chair will be elected for a 2-year term. All members of the HCTBC will be invited to vote in the election of a new Chair. If an elected Chair wishes to stand down or is unable to continue in the role for the duration of the 2 years, the Deputy Chair may Chair the next meeting of the Board and initiate election proceedings.

If only 1 eligible nomination is made, the Welsh Government will duly appoint the nominee as chair and inform Board Members.

The Welsh Government will administer the voting process on behalf of Board Members.

Core membership of the HCTBC will include representation from the following organisations:

• Police forces: Dyfed-Powys Police; Gwent Police; North Wales Police; South Wales Police; British Transport Police
• 4 Police and Crime Commissioners
• HM Prisons and Probation Service
• Crown Prosecution Service
• Police Liaison Unit
• Welsh Government:
  • Cohesive Communities Division
  • Equality and Human Rights Division
  • Community Safety Division
• Victim Support Cymru
• Community Cohesion Programme representatives
• Wales Safer Communities Network
• Academic representation
• Third sector hate crime reporting centres: Community Securities Trust, On Your Side (Protection Approaches), Tell Mama, Galop
• Third sector representation (a representative will be drawn from each of the Welsh Government equality fora, this includes the Wales Race Forum, Nation of Sanctuary Strategic Oversight Board, Disability Equality Forum, Faith Communities Forum)
• Criminal Justice Board for Wales (Anti-racist action plan coordinator)
• Welsh Local Government Association
• Public Health Wales
• Tai Pawb

Membership arrangements will be reviewed every 2 years.

The Group will identify and invite organisations with an interest/influence in matters relating to tackling hateful attitudes and hate crime to invite them to relevant meetings.

Organisations who do not attend 2 consecutive meetings may forfeit their attendance to future meetings. Deputies may be sent by members for up to half of the meetings in a year.

The HCTBC will have a reciprocal relationship with the Criminal Justice Board for Wales through the sharing of agendas, minutes and forward work programmes to avoid duplication and enhance awareness of emerging trends and issues.

To assist the work of the Board, Police Forces and Victim Support will be asked to produce a quarterly data report which can be shared in advance with all Members. Information should be sent to the Welsh Government secretariat two weeks prior to the Board to enable collation. Papers will be circulated to Board Members no later than 5 working days before the meeting.

Each Police Force will be asked to report on recorded hate crimes and outcomes by protected characteristic in the latest quarter. Trends over time will also help to explain the data.

Victim Support will be asked to report on referrals by type and protected characteristic, as well as support given, in the latest quarter. Trends over time will also help to explain the data.

Additionally, Board Members will be asked to provide narrative updates about work undertaken to prevent, monitor and mitigate community tensions and hate crime. The Welsh Government will provide a written update of their activities in advance of each meeting.

Reimbursement of some travelling expenses will be considered when physical meetings are held, in line with the Welsh Government Travelling and Subsistence guidance. Guidance (including maximum reimbursement rates) can be provided upon request.

In-person meetings will usually be planned not to start before 11am and will end before 4pm to ensure overnight stays are not required. Video conferencing facilities would also be provided wherever possible. In the event where a longer in-person meeting or a 2-day event is required, or where video conferencing facilities are not possible, overnight accommodation costs for those not representing Public Bodies will be provided.

Any expenditure on travel or accommodation must be supported by receipts. Expenses will only be paid for Board Members who are not representatives of Public Bodies (devolved and non-devolved). Read more about devolved public bodies.