Meetings between local faith leaders and Rushmoor Borough Council have led to a joint commitment to ensure faith groups can meet, worship and preach freely in Farnborough and Aldershot town centres, and to tackle issues with antisocial behaviour by a small number of individuals.
Following this community consultation, the council has withdrawn plans to seek an injunction which aimed to prevent street preachers using loud amplification and causing distress to town centre users.
The council began legal proceedings in February aiming to protect vulnerable people and local businesses in the town centres following a number of complaints. Three community engagement sessions with faith leaders, street preachers and local councillors were held in April to discuss the key issues.
The council explained that legal action was not intended to stop peaceful groups (of all faiths) from preaching or to restrict freedom of speech, but was intended to address aggressive and antisocial behaviours being experienced by some town centre users and businesses.
Community leaders recognised that the council was aiming to tackle a legitimate anti-social behaviour issue but believed that the injunction was too broad in the scope of activities that were targeted and the range of people who could be affected.
As a result of these discussions, concerned faith leaders agreed to work with the council to help eradicate anti-social behaviour relating to “aggressive” street preaching and to discuss drawing up a voluntary code of conduct.
The council will still address complaints as they arise and may pursue targeted legal action against individuals in the future, if considered necessary.
The Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, Councillor Gareth Williams, said: “I’m pleased that, following our discussions with the local Christian community and faith leaders, we have been able to address this very sensitive issue and agree a way forward that balances the rights to freedom of worship and expression with the interests of all town centre users.”
The Leader of the Conservative group on Rushmoor Borough Council, Councillor Gareth Lyon, said: “I am delighted by the decision to withdraw the application for an injunction. It is absolutely the right decision.
“When Councillor Adeola and I were first contacted by local Christians concerned at how far reaching the application was, we shared those concerns and raised them with the council. That's why we proposed the engagement with the Christian community, which has proved so fruitful. This is a great outcome.
“The positive engagement from local churches and Christian groups which the council has listened to, will reassure people that Rushmoor is a place where freedom of speech and conscience is valued and where partnership works.”
The Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Rushmoor Borough Council, Councillor Craig Card, said: “It was important for the council to sit down and work this out with the local faith communities so legal action could be avoided - I’m glad that an alternative path has been found.”
Chairman of the Rushmoor Faith Leaders Forum, Bishop Malcolm Cummins, said: “We’re relieved that our discussions with the council have proved constructive. We now look forward to working closely together to build even stronger relationships.”
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