Agenda

Purpose: To seek nominations for, and elect, a Chair of the Portsmouth SACRE.

The election for the Chair of the Portsmouth SACRE will be made by a way of a nomination and seconding procedure, followed by a majority vote decision. Those nominated must be aware of their nomination.  If more than one nomination is made, an election will be held with each Group (A, B, C and D) having one vote. In the event of a 2:2 vote, there is no casting vote, and the status quo will be maintained until such time as a majority decision is reached. No other persons shall be entitled to vote. If one nomination is received, a vote will not be required. 

The role of the Chair includes:

·       Ensuring that the Portsmouth SACRE fulfils its statutory duties and responsibilities by having a clear grasp of the nature and make up of SACRE, what it is responsible for and what it can do beyond its statutory functions.

·       Taking a leading role in the Portsmouth SACRE’s on-going process of self-evaluation and development.

·       Ensuring the smooth and efficient running of SACRE meetings including making sure that the business of the meeting is dealt with and that all members can participate and contribute fully.

·       Being the public face of the Portsmouth SACRE, representing it at public events, including interfaith events, and being a champion for religious education and collective worship in the local authority and its schools.

RECOMMENDED that the SACRE elects a Chair of the Portsmouth SACRE for 2 years with immediate effect.

The SACRE is asked to agree the draft minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2023.

Purpose of report:

Many SACREs find it useful to have their own Code of Conduct in place and in Portsmouth the SACRE has agreed to adopt the NASACRE exemplar code. 

This report accompanies the current Code of Conduct and seeks its endorsement for a further academic year.

RECOMMENDED that SACRE endorses the Code of Conduct and the principles it espouses for the next 12 months and that it is considered again at the first SACRE meeting of the 2024-25 academic year.

Purpose of report:

This report provides the SACRE with an opportunity to agree its Annual Report for the academic year 2022-23.

RECOMMENDED that SACRE:

a)    Adopts the SACRE Annual Report 2022-23.

b)    Recommends that the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education notes the SACRE Annual Report 2022-23 by 31 December 2023.

c)    Makes a copy available for public inspection (on the Portsmouth City Council website) and sends a copy to the Secretary of State for Education and relevant organisations including NASACRE.

Purpose of report:

This report updates SACRE regarding its membership, training and other opportunities for the membership.

Recommended that SACRE:

a)      Appoints Mr Michael Zeffert, as Jewish representative (Group A) following the resignation of Samuel Hilsenrath which was noted at the last meeting.

b)     Notes the membership vacancies set out in paragraph 4 of this report and asks the Local Authority to approach relevant appointing bodies for representatives.

c)      Notes that the SACRE has subscribed to NASACRE for the current academic year, that this allows members to attend its training sessions (set out in Appendix A to this report) free of charge and that members should take advantage of opportunity.

Purpose of report: The purpose of this report is to inform SACRE of the findings and discussions that took place during the meeting of the SACRE Monitoring Sub-Group on 11 October 2023. 

The group received updates on professional RE education and monitoring the effectiveness of RE and the first national results from the GCSE examination series in 2023.  An update on implementation of Living Difference IV, including training in RE, was received.

RECOMMENDED that SACRE notes the findings of the Monitoring Group meeting.

Purpose of report:

This report provides the SACRE with the opportunity to review its constitution with a view to ensuring that it fulfils its functions and reflects the Portsmouth area.  The SACRE constitution was approved on 20 November 2019.

Recommended that SACRE:

a)    Considers whether the SACRE Constitution requires amendment or updating and, if so, appoints a Sub-Committee to oversee the work before making recommendations to the SACRE and thereafter the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education.

OR

b)    Confirms the SACRE Constitution (previously agreed on 20 November 2019) subject to the words "stated in 4.1" in paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2 being changed to read "stated in 3.1" and to further review in the Autumn term of 2024.

Purpose of report:

This report provides the SACRE with an opportunity to review its agreed Allowances Policy and Procedures.

RECOMMENDED that SACRE adopts the SACRE Allowances Policy and Procedures for the next 12 months and that it is further reviewed at the first SACRE meeting of the 2024-25 academic year.

Purpose of report:

The purpose of this report is to enable SACRE to consider key national and local RE developments.

RECOMMENDED that SACRE notes the report.

The next meeting will take place at 4.30pm on Wednesday 20 March 2024 - venue to be agreed.

Future dates:

Wednesday 12 June 2024 (venue to be confirmed)

Wednesday 6 November 2024 (venue to be confirmed)

All meetings will take place at 4.30pm at a place of worship or school. If no venue is available, meetings will take place remotely on Teams.