Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:  To note that apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Nana Asante, Councillor Anjana Patel, Mrs N Desai, Ms B Wilson, Mrs N Parsons and Ms Pat Stevens.

Mrs Mary Abbott opened the meeting with a spiritual reflection.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Member:-

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members present in relation to the business to be transacted at this meeting.

RESOLVED:  That subject to the following amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2008 be taken as read and signed as a correct record of the meeting:

Including a review of the SACRE showcase

Councillor Champagne noted that the appointment of new Hindu representatives to SACRE should have been on the agenda.  However it was noted that, without Councillor Anjana Patel being present, the appointments could not be agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the comments be noted.

Alison Stowe

Alison Stowe tabled a guidance brochure containing information on the religious needs of pupils drawn from Harrow’s faith communities.  The brochure had been written in consultation with Group A SACRE members.  It was noted that ‘yarmullar’ should be replaced by ‘kippah’ in the document.  The Chairman requested that members forward any amendments Alison Stowe email address by 31 January 2009.

RESOLVED:  That the comments be noted.

Farzana Aldridge

A draft copy of the Guidance on Authorised Absence for Pupils to fulfill Religious Obligations 2008?2009 to schools was tabled at the meeting.  Members considered that it would helpful for the guidance to be extended to bring it in line with the latest Shap calendar and that past dates should be deleted.  It was noted that Id-ul-Adha (End of Pilgrimage) fell on 8 December 2008.  Members were requested to write to Alison Stowe with any further amendments.  The official borough allowance for authorized absence was discussed and it was considered that the wording in the report should read:  “The official borough allowance for authorised absence for religious observance is up to 3 days in the school year.”

RESOLVED:  That the comments be noted and the report updated accordingly.

Draft to be tabled at the meeting

The draft report was tabled at the meeting.  It was noted that the section on GCSE results section was not yet completed as figures had only just become available.  The Chair requested that members forward any amendments to her email address by 12 December 2008. 

RESOLVED:  That the comments be noted.

Mary Hale reported that plans for the celebration of 25 years of Harrow Interfaith Council had progressed.  An event would take place on Sunday 29 March 2009 at the Zoroastrian Centre in Rayners Lane from 11.00 am.  It was agreed that Alison Stowe and BhavitaPandya?Arepalli would contact High Schools within the borough for volunteers to steward or film the event.  All replies would be forwarded to Alison Stowe.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.

Which the Chairman has decided is urgent and cannot otherwise be dealt with.

(i)                   SACRE Showcase, 18 November 2008

Members were commended on their efforts for the SACRE showcase on 18 November 2008.  It was reported that the event had been a huge success, all faiths had been represented and the profile of SACRE had been raised.  It was reported that letters of thanks had been circulated to all participants who had taken part or sent work in had.  Members suggested that Religious Education Coordinators at each school as well as the Headteachers be contacted for their support if the event were to take place again.  The profile of SACRE could also be raised if it were to be included on governing bodies agendas as a standing item and included in governor training.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.

(ii)                 Visits to Other Faith Areas

Councillor Champagnie suggested that the committee should visit places of worship once a year and that SACRE approach places of worship regarding this possibility.

RESOLVED:  That the comments be noted.

To agree the dates of the meetings for the next municipal year 2009-10

RESOLVED:  That the proposed dates for the Municipal Year 2009/10 be agreed and noted.

To note that the next meeting is due to be held on Thursday 12 March 2009

RESOLVED:  That the date of the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 11 March 2009 at 7.30 pm.