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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED that: a. Councillor Michelle Jones be formally re-elected as Chair. b. Due to the low attendance of members at the meeting, it was agreed to defer the election/re-election of the Vice Chair until the next meeting.
Apologies for absence were received from Rev. Mark Prevett, Deacon David O’Keefe, Lee-Anne McCarthy and Andrew Chyba.
No declarations of interest were received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that: a. Councillor Michelle Jones be formally re-elected as Chair. b. Due to the low attendance of members at the meeting, it was agreed to defer the election/re-election of the Vice Chair until the next meeting.
RESOLVED that: a. Councillor Michelle Jones be formally re-elected as Chair. b. Due to the low attendance of members at the meeting, it was agreed to defer the election/re-election of the Vice Chair until the next meeting.
Donna Graves updated Committee on the changes that need to be made to the Constitution and Terms of Reference, these included:- · SACRE being amended to SAC/SACRE during the transition phase · Religious Education to also include Religion, Values and Ethics · Composition for Committee A – Religious Beliefs Discussion took place and clarity sought by Members on these changes and it was agreed that D Graves would make the changes and bring a report back to the Summer meeting.
The Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 21 June 2022 be accepted as a true record.
The Chair advised there were no matters arising.
D Graves provided a brief update on the Annual Report 2021-22 and provided an opportunity for questions or comments before the document was submitted. A vote was taken and it was unanimously agreed that the report be approved and forwarded to all interested parties.
No information was discussed.
D Graves updated Committee on Training for Governors and referred to the Briefing Paper provided. A May raised the matter of liaising with the Local Authority Governor Support Team in Merthyr Tydfil in order to avoid clashes with the training programme already in place. It was agreed that A May provide D Graves with a contact liaison email address.
D Graves advised that a new programme of training was being prepared for new members of SACRE and will be on offer within the next few weeks.
D Graves provided an update to Committee on the ongoing work, training and support that was being provided. Discussion took place around parental permission and collective worship and the differences that apply for different year groups.
D Graves updated Members on the Merthyr Agreed Syllabus for RVE and highlighted awareness of the document and the importance of it being referred to.
The Draft Minutes of 29th June 2022 be accepted.
The Draft Minutes of 16th November 2022 be accepted.
Nominations were sought for the WASACRE Executive Committee. It was agreed that the Clerk to SACRE would contact Rev. Mark Prevett to ask whether he would consider accepting a nomination made by Councillor David Hughes and seconded by Councillor Michelle Jones to be on the WASACRE Executive Committee. The Clerk to SACRE to return the WASACRE Executive Committee Nomination Form by the 31st March 2023.
D Graves referred to the letter from WASACRE dated 31st January 2023. It was unclear whether feedback would be received from the Welsh Government.
D Graves provided an update to Committee on the consultation that closed on the 14th December 2022 and the possibility of a wider consultation.
D Graves updated Committee on the work and team sharing practices taking place. Clarity sought on whether the qualification is available now. D Graves confirmed it was and agreed to provide further information to Committee Member.
The Chair advised that D Graves would provide an update on Inspections that have happened since the Summer term (Abercanaid, Geotre, Gellifaelog Schools and one of the PRUs) at the Summer meeting. Discussion took place and it was agreed SACRE/SAC to send letters of congratulations to Headteachers and Practitioners of Schools that have received positive Estyn Reports.
D Graves provided further clarity and explanation on the role of SACRE/SAC and the options that exist for each Local Authority. It was agreed that SACRE and SAC co-exist as one meeting and will be referred to as SACRE/SAC on future agendas.
Detailed discussion took place on the Monitoring of RE/RS/RVE, Collective Worship, 'Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development' (SMSC), with particular reference made to accountability and how it is delivered on the timetable. A May agreed to ask for feedback for SACRE/SAC Members.
D Graves advised that support for schools information was available via the website and offered an opportunity for members to suggest improvements to the resources available. Discussion took place around visits to places of worship, how the pandemic affected these visits and how they hoped that these would resume in the future. D Graves raised the matter of any invited guest speakers must comply with guidelines for RVE. A May requested that this information be added as a further reminder into the Schools Bulletin.
D Graves referred to the Annual Report, paragraph 3.3., and following detailed discussion, it was agreed that the Chair and D Graves would look to arrange a future SACRE/SAC meeting at a school with the opportunity for schools to do a presentation to the Committee.
It was agreed that the Summer Meeting to be held via Microsoft Teams at 4.15 p.m. 22nd June 2023. It was also agreed that a date for the Autumn Meeting to be confirmed.
No suggestions for agenda items for the Summer 2023 meeting were made.
No other business was deemed urgent by the Chair.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
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