To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in relation to the cross-departmental emergency Community Cohesion Group established following the racially-motivated disorder in Ballymena, to detail (i) any terms of reference; (ii) each Department, agency; and body, that is represented; and (iii) any specific actions it has taken to support affected communities, including the black and minority ethnic community.

Emergency response structures, led by PSNI, were activated in response to the June 2025 unrest with a focus on stopping the violence and supporting the immediate needs of those impacted.

The cross-organisational Community Cohesion Group was subsequently established and led by our Department to identify and develop targeted interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of tension and encourage shared community life. These are being finalised for consideration and are likely to include Community Hubs in outlets across all Councils, orientation, building relationships and school/ youth programmes.

The Terms of Reference for the Group are at Annex A and the membership is at Annex B.

Annex A

COMMUNITY COHESION GROUP

Strategic Aim

The aim of the group is to maintain situational awareness and operational preparedness, while coordinating work to address the underlying root causes of race related community tensions, and build cohesive and inclusive societies where people feel safe, respected and valued.

Strategic Objectives

Community Confidence - support and reassure minority and majority communities and ensure that communities feel their voice is being heard, enhancing and building community confidence by coordinating appropriate support when and where it is needed.

Root Causes – identify underlying causes of community tension and develop a programme of actions to mitigate and build positive behaviours.

Effective Communications - inform and reassure the public through timely and effective communication, with coordinated and consistent messaging to combat misinformation and disinformation and ‘myth bust’, as well as long term proactive ‘hearts and minds’ initiatives.

Delivery

The Group will deliver the strategic aim and objectives by ensuring a coordinated approach which supports multiagency information sharing, working and collaboration, to build community cohesion.

Annex B

COMMUNITY COHESION GROUP MEMBERSHIP