Agenda item

To consider the Self-Evaluation Framework for Camden SACRE.

Consideration was given to the paper on the SACRE self-evaluation framework.

Lesley Prior explained that she had worked with the outgoing Chair and Owen Rees on completing the framework. They thought the SACRE could be considered established with regard to Aspects 2, 3 and 4.

Aspect 1 (the monitoring and improvement of standards) was an area they felt the SACRE was on the border between ‘developing’ and ‘established’. In terms of Aspect 5 (the contribution of SACRE to social and racial harmony) they felt SACRE was ‘developing’.

In terms of improving on Aspects 1 and 5, members said that this could be improved by having a wider range of members of SACRE.

With regards to Panel A, the Committee noted the need to broaden the representation of different religious communities.  

It was noted that for some faiths it was difficult to find a representative organisation to nominate SACRE reps and so SACRE was dependent on the LA’s judgement as to whether the person was ‘representative’ of the faith in question and on personal contacts to find volunteers.

In addition to the two Sunni Muslim representatives the Panel currently had, the Professional Advisor said it might be desirable to have a Shia representative. Members noted there was a vacancy for a Sikh representative. It was also suggested the Board of Deputies could also be approached to see if a representative could be obtained from the Reform Judaism tradition as well as from the Modern Orthodox.

Panel A had formerly had a Humanist representative, to represent non-religious traditions. However, he had stood down. The British Humanist Association would be approached to seek a new representative. Councillor Fulbrook also suggested that the South Place Ethical Society could be approached as an alternative source of representatives from non-religious philosophical traditions. 

With regard to Panel C, the custom and practice in Camden had been to seek nominations from teachers’ unions. However, there had been a large number of vacancies in that section and low attendance. It was suggested that the primary and secondary RE networks could be approached for volunteers, as they could be considered teacher ‘associations’ as mentioned in the terms of reference. Stephanie Ellner said that SACRE reps in Havering came from the RE networks.

There was a discussion about the need for special schools to be represented. When Tracey Edwards had been a member, there had been a link with Swiss Cottage special school, This was considered important as some special schools were innovating and being creating with regard to personal, social and moral education.

With regard to Panel D, the custom and practice in Camden had been to fill all places with councillors nominated by the Annual Meeting of the Council. However, Ann Boater said that in Islington school governor representatives also sat on SACRE Panel D. However, any change in this in Camden would require the agreement of the borough’s Full Council.

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the report and the comments above be noted;

(ii)          THAT the Clerk, Professional Advisor and members seek to find volunteers to broaden the membership of SACRE with regard to those Panels where it was possible.