Issue - meetings

DECISION MADE: (CAB 21/22 32813)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Education and having received written and verbal presentment from Mary Wallbank reprenting South Hampshire Humanists, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the amended Constitution for SACRE attached at Appendix 1 including the addition of two additional voting members in Group A.

One for a representative having no specific religious affiliation, recognising secular representation as a ‘belief’ within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998 and accurately reflecting the changing nature of religious and non-religious beliefs in current society and the Southampton area (Note – this Recommendation was NOT supported by Group A of SACRE at their meeting on 2nd November 2021, however was supported by Groups B-D).

One for a representative of Southampton City Mission as representative of their work on behalf of a group of churches not covered by the other members (Supported by all SACRE groups at their meeting on 2nd November 2021).

(ii)  If recommendation (i) above is approved Cabinet is asked to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Wellbeing, following consultation with the Chair of Sacre to agree an application process and determine any applications / appoint members to the ‘belief’ vacancy set out above.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Wellbeing, following consultation with the Chair of Sacre to carry out a further review of SACRE membership once the Census 2021 data has been published in 2022 and to bring back any further recommendations on Membership changes to the next annual review of the SACRE Constitution in November 2022.

(iv)   To approve the additional changes to the constitution including that SACRE 2.1; must follow the SCC complaints process for any complaints received; 12.2 that future decisions from SACRE do not require unanimity; minor word changes to represent the changing landscape of maintained and academy schools, and job role titles. (SACRE unanimously supported this recommendation).