Agenda item

Purpose: To receive a report on membership, training and associated matters.

Recommended that SACRE:

a)     Considers the establishment of a membership working group to:

i)     Review the 2021 Census (see Appendix A) in relation to ensuring that the membership of the Portsmouth SACRE appropriately reflects the principal religious traditions or beliefs in our area.

ii)    Consider outreach and other methods to attract new faith and education representatives to the SACRE, noting that the Council shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that the nominees are a representative of the religion, denomination or association in question. 

iii)  Report back to the SACRE on actions and progress to widen representation of the SACRE.

c)    Agrees to contact SACRE members who have not attended three consecutive meetings.

e)    Nominates a named representative to the Portsmouth Children's Safeguarding Partnership(PCSP).

f)    Seeks up to two representatives to attend the NASACRE Conference and AGM on 22 May 2023.

g)   Considers the adoption of the NASACRE Code of Conduct (or an amended version).

Justine Ball, Professional Advisor thanked the Clerk for her help in providing information for the report. 

Membership Working Group

Justine Ball reported that the list of vacancies was set out in section 4 of the report, and it was recommended that a small working group be established to address this.  It was proposed that the 2021 Census results be used to ensure this is reflected in the membership and that adverts be considered.  The Clerk noted that the endorsement or nomination of relevant faith groups would need to be sought. 

Christine McMillan noted that there was no mechanism for claiming expenses such as travel to meetings, and this may be an impediment for some.  It was agreed that there should be a facility to claim reasonable expenses.    Chris May, Hampshire Secondary Teaching and Learning Adviser for RE noted that NASACRE states that supply cover was a reasonable expense to encourage teacher participation in SACRE activities.  Debbie Anderson, Head of School Improvement agreed to investigate how this could be done.  The Chair noted that it could be possible to advertise via the Hive. 

Non-attending members

It was agreed that SACRE members who have not attended three meetings be contacted to establish their interest in remaining a member of the Council. 

Portsmouth Children's Safeguarding Partnership (PCSP)

A SACRE representative to join this body was sought.  No one volunteered in the meeting.  A reminder to be sent to all SACRE members.

NASACRE Conference and AGM

Volunteers to attend the conference in London on 22 May 2023 were sought.  Reasonable expenses agreed in advance will be paid. 

SACRE members were asked to nominate people who have contributed to Portsmouth SACRE as part of the NASACRE 30^th anniversary celebrations.  Nominations to the Chair or Clerk within by 11 April 2023.

Training opportunities

Justine Ball highlighted the following training opportunities:

-       Living Difference IV briefing on 17 April (on Teams)

-       "So you've joined your local SACRE" delivered by NASACRE on 26 June 2023 (remote learning)

-       Free speaker training by RE Hubs 

SACRE Code of Conduct

Justine Ball asked members to read the proposed Code of Conduct attached to the agenda.  It was agreed to adopt this subject to the word 'Portsmouth' being inserted as relevant. 

RESOLVED to:

a)    Establish a membership working group to:

i)     Review the 2021 Census (see Appendix A) in relation to ensuring that the membership of the Portsmouth SACRE appropriately reflects the principal religious traditions or beliefs in our area.

ii)    Consider outreach and other methods to attract new faith and education representatives to the SACRE, noting that the Council shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that the nominees are a representative of the religion, denomination or association in question.

iii)  Report back to the SACRE on actions and progress to widen representation of the SACRE.

b)   Agreed to ask the Clerk to contact SACRE members who have not attended three consecutive meetings.

c)    Seek up to two representatives to attend the NASACRE Conference and AGM on 22 May 2023.

d)   Agreed to adopt the NASACRE Code of Conduct (amended to include Portsmouth).

ACTIONS:

i)     Debbie Anderson, Head of School Improvement to look at the potential for SACRE members to claim reasonable expenses to facilitate meeting attendance. 

ii)    Members of SACRE to volunteer to form a small, informal Membership Working Group by contacting the Clerk.

iii)  Members of SACRE to inform the Clerk if they would like to represent the SACRE on the Portsmouth Children's Safeguarding Partnership (PCSP).

iv)  Members of SACRE to let the Clerk know if they wish to attend the NASACRE Conference and AGM on 22 May 2023.

v)    Members of SACRE wishing to nominate someone who has had a significant impact on the Portsmouth SACRE to contact the Chair (Revd Sam Duddles) or the Clerk by 11 April 2023.

vi)  Clerk to update the Code of Conduct.

The Clerk can be contacted at Karen.Martin2@portsmouthcc.gov.uk