Meeting documents

RESOLVED that Lynda Ford-Horne be elected Chairman for the ensuing Municipal Year.

RESOLVED that Reverend Michael Camp be elected Vice Chairman for the ensuing Municipal Year.

Apologies for absence were received from Renate Diallo (Quaker Representative) and Councillor Wilkins.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meetings dated 22 November 2016 and 21 March 2017, having been previously circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:

Minute SAC40.17 Primary Network Feedback
That the discussion referring to collective worship be noted as not having being fully recorded.

Matters Arising

Minute SAC21.16 Primary Network Meeting

It was questioned if a contact list existed in order to better improve attendance to which the Religious Education Consultant explained that due to a constant change in personnel, it was necessary to send personal invitations.

Minute SA27.16 Training for Muslim Volunteers in Schools

The Chairman advised that no further action had yet been taken in respect of developing a Code of Conduct for faith visitors to Poole Schools and requested feedback should any person go into school.

The Religious Education Consultant referred to NASCRE guidance stating that the link had not yet been opened.

The Governor Services Adviser stated that the link should be working and that it would be circulated to all those on the SACRE distribution list.

The Religious Education Consultant stated that there was more scope to get involved with Academies. In response to a point raised regarding funding, the Governor Services Adviser advised that Academies were State funded directly by Government.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Meeting and introductions were made. It was noted that the Meeting was quorate and therefore all decisions made would be stand and those held over from previous meetings to be ratified.

RESOLVED that Cheryl Smith be appointed to SACRE as a Teacher Representative (Group C).
 

A letter from Tracy Au of the Church of the Latter Day Saints was read out in which she asked if she could be on SACRE. She outlined her teaching experience and the Chairman knew her and recommended that she become a co-opted member. The Chairman would invite her to the next meeting.

RESOLVED that Reverend Nigel Ford be appointed to SACRE as Free Church Representative (Group A) and that Tracy Au be appointed as a co-opted member.

The Chairman led the ‘Reflection’, which focused on the recent terrorist events in London and Manchester that had subsequently brought those communities across the Country and elsewhere in working together.

The Governor Services Adviser, in providing the background, referred to the question as to whether the existing Constitution was considered to be fit for purpose. Following points raised at the previous Meeting it was clarified that representatives of certain faiths did not have to be a person from within that community.

The Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix A were noted.

The draft revised Constitution, as out in Appendix B, was discussed in detail and the following points were raised:

Paragraph 3.1 - It was clarified that the definition of ‘every state funded school’ included Academies and Free Schools, that were funded directly by the Government.

Paragraph 4.1 - Insert ‘principally’ in the second sentence of the sub-paragraph starting ‘The SACRE cannot do any of this unless…..’. The amended second sentence to read ‘ In Poole this will be done in partnership principally with its LA via the LA Officer and with schools via Poole Schools Association’.

Paragraph 5.1 - In the third bullet point, delete ‘Federal Council’ after the words ‘Free Church’.

Paragraph 5.3 - Insert ‘principally’ in the first line so that the sentence reads as; ‘The members of the Committee C shall principally be representatives of such Teachers’ Associations as the LA thinks fit…..’

Paragraph 5.7 - Replace the first sentence to; ‘The position of Chair of SACRE shall be held for a maximum of three years’.

Paragraph 5.9 - In the first bullet point, replace the words ‘ of approximately’ and insert ‘a maximum’ and add additional words so that the sentence reads: ‘…….and each meeting shall be a maximum duration, except as agreed by a resolution of the meeting’.

Paragraph 6.2 - Membership of an Agreed Syllabus Conferences (ASC)
It was noted that notice of meetings be provided in an attempt to avoid being inquorate.

Paragraph 7 - Working Groups
It was noted that Working Groups could be appointed as and when required.

RESOLVED that the Constitution, as amended and the Terms of Reference be approved.

Voting: For
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D

The Chairman expressed her gratitude for the hard work and endeavours of both Luana Girling and Michelle Cutler and requested that her thanks be recorded.

The Governor Services Adviser referred to previous discussions and the advice given that whilst it was possible to run two meetings concurrently with one chairman, due to the statutory requirements of each SACRE to be constituted individually it was necessary for any joint meeting to be recorded and minuted separately.

In the proposals being outlined, the intention was for the future dates and times of both the Bournemouth SACRE and Poole SACRE to be aligned, with the meetings being hosted alternately by the two Councils. The Officer stated that the Bournemouth SACRE was changing its Constitution. Under the joint arrangements, the services of the Religious Education Consultant would be shared, resulting in either a budget reduction or additional funding for planned actions.

The Islam Representative stated concerns that not all teachers were aware of the existence of SACRE and suggested that consideration be given to raising its profile and appeal, especially to newly recruited staff.

RESOLVED that in accordance with current law, joint meetings be conducted between Bournemouth SACRE and Poole SACRE with a single Chairman, to be recorded and minuted separately as and when Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole have approved the constitutions and been aligned.

Voting: For
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D

The Chairman requested that the Democratic Support Officer look at future dates with colleagues in Bournemouth to align these and to agree hosting arrangements.
 

The Religious Education Consultant presented the Report detailing the key points arising from the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education (NASACRE) Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting held 16th May 2017 in York.

RESOLVED that the Report be noted.
 

The Chairman informed the meeting of the offer made to schools in the region to host workshop sessions on 7th July 2017 and that with a closing date for applications only five individuals had registered an interest. She added that there had been a considerable number of emails being returned as undeliverable, suggesting that the contact list was out of date.

It was suggested that the lack of take up could be caused by the date coinciding with Transfer Day at many schools in Poole.

The Chairman requested that communications with schools be added to the action plan.

RESOLVED that ‘Communications with Schools’ be added to the Action Plan.
 

The Action Plan was presented for consideration. The Religious Education Consultant stressed the importance and benefits gained from subscribing to NASACRE and attendance at the Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting.

The Governor Services Adviser commented that, in light of future joint meetings, the Action Plan be reformatted into three sections i.e. Bournemouth, Poole and Joint actions. It was further suggested that there be reference to the statutory responsibilities and impact.

Referring to the previous item communications with schools such that they engage should be explored along with other alternative ways e.g. termly visits to schools.

The Governor Services Adviser in response to a question stated that no form of benchmarking of SACRE was carried out.

RESOLVED That:
i) Communication with Schools be added in the Action Plan.

ii) The Religious Education Consultant prepare an Action Plan in a revised format for future Meetings.

The next Meeting was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 21st November 2017.

It was requested that the date of the March Meeting be moved from Tuesday, 20th March 2018 at 4:00pm, to a date to be determined jointly with Bournemouth SACRE.
 

The Chairman advised that the Inter Faith Week was scheduled for 12th November 2017 to 19th November 2017 and highlighted the opportunity for schools to be encouraged to visit a mosque.