Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned; and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 19 October 2016 as a true and correct record.

The Committee considered the minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive verbal updates from Members of the SACRE as to any projects or issues within their area.

1.      Paul Harrison circulated details on a funding initiative and suggested that a possible bid for funding could be made to fund a Kids Meet.  The theme of the event being a question time with faith leaders. A sub-group was appointed to investigate further with Tammy Hackney, Councillor Kirkland, Imam Patel and Paul Harrison to report back at the next meeting.

2.      Imam Patel also highlighted the on going work with the integration of Syrian refugees within the town.

To consider the report on the Accord inclusivity awards.

The Committee received an update on the Accord Inclusivity awards.

Resolved:

1.      To note the awards report. 

2.      To ask the clerk to collect further details of the award winners so that this good practice can be shared with Blackpool schools.

To consider the report of the Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life- Living with Difference.

The Committee considered the report of the Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life- Living with Difference  attached at Appendix 5a.

Members held a discussion regarding both the vision and recommendations. The Committee was unanimous in its support of the vision behind the report of the Commission and agreed that the vision should form a key part in future discussion of religious education within Blackpool. The Committee did not necessarily agree with all the

Resolved:

To note the report of the Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life- entitled Living with Difference.

To consider the report on the NATRE report on their survey on Religious Education in Primary Schools.

The Committee considered the NATRE report on their survey on Religious Education in Primary Schools as attached at Appendix 6a.

The Committee expressed concern as to the results of the survey on funding,  the low level of qualification of staff delivering religious education and agreed with the concerns regarding the withdrawal of children from Mosque visits.

Resolved:

To note the awards report. 

To consider the three concerns above in any future action from the SACRE to address or work with schools of other partners.

To update members on the Commission on Religious Education.

The Committee received an update to members on the Commission on Religious Education. It was noted that the Commission had begun its research in 2016 and it noted that the next call for evidence in the North West was in Manchester on 13 June 2017 and asked the clerk to circulate details of that event. Members were encouraged to attend where possible.

Resolved:

To note the update. 

To receive an update on Interfaith week.

The Committee considered a report on Interfaith Week, the report highlighted the aims of this year’s Strengthening good inter faith relations at all levels

Increasing awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make

to their neighbourhoods and to wider society

Increasing understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs

None of those in attendance knew of any events yet organised by their groups towards Interfaith Week but members agreed to keep other SACRE members informed as events were organised.

Resolved:

1.      To note that this year’s Inter Faith Week will take place from Sunday 12 - Sunday 19 November 2017.

2.      To agree that Board members communicate via the clerk any events organised by their groups for the

To consider the NASACRE summer newsletter.

The Committee considered the NASACRE summer newsletter. It noted that a number of the issues included on the newsletter had been dealt with elsewhere on the agenda.

The Committee though agreed that the Committee continued membership of NASACRE was beneficial, that Blackpool SACRE should continue to be a member and at a future meeting seek an attendee for the annual conference.

Resolved:

1.      To note the NASACRE summer newsletter attached at Appendix 9a

2.      To note the NASACRE survey currently being undertaking.

3.      To agree to renew the SACRE’s membership of NASACRE.

To receive a verbal update from the Chairman on the North West SACRE hub.

The Committee noted that there was no update on the North West SACRE hub but agreed that the Chairman should attend the next meeting of the hub and report back to the next meeting of the SACRE.

Members to raise any other issues not dealt with elsewhere for inclusion on future meeting agendas.

The Committee considered the development of workplan and agreed that the next meeting should include the development of further workplan including the annual report  which had not been completed for a number of years.

To agree the dates of future meetings.

The Committee agreed the dates of future meetings as follows:

9 November 2017 (provisional venue St George’s Church of England High School)

7 March 2018 (provisional venue Blackpool Mosque)

20 June 2018 (provisional venue St Stephens on the Cliffs