Agenda and draft minutes

Due to the current restrictions on travel and requirement for social distancing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic the meeting was held remotely by video conference and was not open to the general public.

No Declarations of Interest.

No urgent matters had been raised.

To receive the minutes of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education held on 2 February 2021 (copy attached).

The minutes of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) meeting held on 2 February 2021 (previously circulated) were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the SACRE meeting held on 2 February 2021 be received and approved as a correct record.

To confirm the Chair and Vice-Chair of the current term of office.

The RE Advisor advised Members that the Chair and Vice-Chair would change in the Autumn term.  The current Vice-Chair, Dominic Oakes, would not be able to take on the role of Chair due to work commitments.  Therefore, the RE Advisor requested nominations be sent to him prior to the October meeting.

RESOLVED that nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair be sent to the RE Advisor prior to the October SACRE meeting.

To agree a response to the Welsh Government consultation on the publication of Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) guidance.  Consultation closes 16^th July 2021. (copy attached)

a)    Consultation Documents:

o   https://gov.wales/guidance-design-and-delivery-mandatory-religion-values-and-ethics-rve

b)    Guidance Document:

o   https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2021-05/consultation-document-curriculum-for-wales-religion-values-and-ethics-guidance.pdf

The RE Advisor presented the Curriculum for Wales Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) Guidance report.

The RE Advisor informed Members that the Welsh Government were consulting on the publication of Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) guidance.  This guidance may become a substantial part of Denbighshire Agreed Syllabus. 

Prior to the meeting, links had been circulated to all SACRE members which were the consultation documentation together with guidance to the consultation.

St. Giles Church in Wales, Wrexham had put together a video which gave a clear overview of the consultation.

The consultation video contained the seven lenses:

·         Search for meaning and purpose

·         The natural world and living things

·         Identity and belonging

·         Authority and influence

·         Relationships and responsibilities

·         Values and ethics

·         The journey of life

The RE Advisor went through the questionnaire which contained 10 questions and stated that if Members could take the time to re-watch the video again and go through the consultation document they could forward further questions or statements to him prior to the first week in July.

Members responded during the meeting to the various questions and confirmed they would scrutinise the consultation document and respond to the RE Advisor prior to the first week in July.

RESOLVED that SACRE Members discussed and agreed responses to the Consultation document.

To discuss how the representation of the diverse beliefs held with Denbighshire could support the work of SACRE as it continues to advise the Local Authority and support schools.  (copy attached)

The RE Advisor presented the Encouraging Diversity of Representation on SACRE report.

In the previous meeting, members had noted the lack of representation of diversity on SACRE.

Members discussed how the representation of the diverse beliefs held by residents of Denbighshire could support the work of SACRE as it continued to advise the Local Authority and supported schools.

It was confirmed that there had been changes in a large number of schools to provide  for a variety of faiths.  It had been difficult to have representations on SACRE from some faiths eg: Muslim and humanists.  To be a representative on SACRE would be an opportunity for members of different faiths to have their voices heard.

As Councillors were aware of the different faiths within their relevant communities, a list could be compiled of a contact for the different faith representatives.  City Town and Community Councils could be contacted to ascertain which faith utilised the community centres.

It was confirmed an action plan would be put together during the summer and it would be utilised as a living document for the future.

RESOLVED that the report was discussed how SACRE could draw on the diverse views eg: representation or presentations received by Members.  An Action Plan to be put together and presented to members in the Autumn.

To receive the minutes of the Spring meeting 23^rd March and a verbal update of the Summer meeting 16^th June 2021. (copy attached)

The RE Advisor, Phil Lord, confirmed he had attended a WASACRE meeting the previous week.

The minutes of the spring meeting which had taken place on 23 March had been previously circulated for Members information.

RESOLVED that SACRE Members:

·         Receive the minutes of the Spring meeting 23rd March.

·         Receive a verbal update of the Summer meeting 16th June 2021.

20 October 2021

The date of the next SACRE meeting would be 20 October 2021

The meeting concluded at 12:03 p.m.