Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest in accordance with the code of conduct.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2017.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2017 are an accurate record subject to Claire Linden’s attendance being included.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

There were no items of Chair’s Urgent Business.

The Chair will welcome new members to the forum, Jayesh Bhagat – Buddhist Rep Group A; Malc Halliday – Baptist Group A and Louis Efthymiou – Greek Orthodox Co-opted.

The Chair welcomed Dr Judith Beckman to the meeting who was to replace Anna Kelly in Group A (Christian and other religious denominations, not including Church of England).

The Chair also highlighted that Jayesh Bhagat (Buddhist representative for Group A), Malcolm Halliday (Baptist representative for Group A) and Louis Efthymiou (Greek Orthodox Co-opted representative) had joined SACRE however due to apologies submitted were unable to attend.

With the permission of the Chair, the order of business was changed and was reflected in the minutes below.

Katie Freeman will present this item and a group of children from St. Matthews Academy will share with SACRE - “What we told the RE Commissioners about RE!”

Katie Freeman presented the National and Local News and Developments (including the Commission on RE) item to Members along with Callum and Cody, two Year 5 students from St Matthew’s Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy).

Members were advised that Katie had recently attended a meeting in Exeter to discuss the state of RE in which she read out quotes from students in her class. Katie’s presentation was well received as she had provided the students viewpoint to RE and as a result the Commission sent a representative to her school to speak to the children.

Callum and Cody presented SACRE with what they considered to be good RE, bad RE and highlighted misconceptions surrounding RE, the differences in how RE is taught in different schools and year groups and the impact of changing the name of RE to Religious Ethics.

Members thanked Katie, Callum and Cody for their updates and attendance at the meeting.

To agree the SACRE Annual Report.

Jonathan Marshall (RE Adviser) presented the SACRE Annual Report and highlighted the statutory duty to do so.

Agreed the SACRE Annual Report.

Under this item the Chair advised Members that this was Jonathan Marshall’s last meeting supporting SACRE as he was due to retire and move to France; Members thanked Jonathan for his dedication to the role and wished him well for the future.

The RE Adviser will provide an update on matters arising.

Jonathan Marshall (RE Adviser) provided Members with an update on a recommendation discussed at the previous meeting.

Members were advised that –

Members agreed that further information regarding the non-compliance of teaching RE in schools should be provided to Heather Ogburn (Senior Leadership Adviser).

Centre staff will provide an update.

Claire Linden (Centre for Faiths & Cultural Diversity) provided a brief update on current developments.

Members were advised that –

Members thanked Claire for her update.

A presentation by Alizeh Abdul Rahman (DHSB) on her work and recent film on ITV:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUW7LAIkHoU&t=0s&list=LL4SxvV00_0oiFRVZLg_KNWw&index=

Alizeh Abdul Rahman, a sixth form student at Devonport High School for Boys, presented the Promoting RE and Religious Tolerance item.

Members were advised that Alizeh had created a video, which was broadcast on ITV Westcountry, raising awareness and talking about the importance of teaching RE in schools and how it could be improved. As part of her video Alizeh visited Plympton Academy and spoke to Year 8 students regarding what should be taught in RE, as well as how they should be taught. The students participated well and considered that contemporary issues should also be taught.

Members thanked Alizeh for her attendance at the meeting and noted her update.

The Chair and Helena Mitchell will provide an update.

Helena Mitchell provided Members with Feedback from the South West SACRE Conference. Several workshops were scheduled throughout the day including the importance of a Councillor’s role on SACRE, teaching Hinduism in Primary school and teaching Buddhism to key stage 3.

Members noted the update.

The Chair and Re Adviser/ Members will provide feedback.

Jonathan Marshall (RE Adviser) provided Members with Feedback from Holocaust Memorial Day Events.

Members were advised that the event was funded by Plymouth Centre for Faiths & Cultural Diversity and was held on the Hoe at the Peace Garden. A tribute to Solly Irving was presented by Jonathan Marshall and an olive tree was plated in his honour.

It was highlighted that there were plans to involve schools in Holocaust Memorial Day in the future.

Members noted the update.

Heather Ogburn, Senior Adviser will provide an update.

Heather Ogburn (Senior Leadership Adviser) presented the Future of SACRE Development, Memberships Issues and Adviser Support item.

The key topics covered included:

It was agreed that SACRE dates for 2018/19 would be emailed to Members; changes to dates of future meetings would be discussed with the Chair, Lead Officer and Democratic Adviser.

The date of the next meeting will be confirmed following approval of the calendar of Council meetings at the Full Council meeting on 26 March 2018.

Members were advised that draft dates for SACRE were to be submitted to 26 March 2018 Full Council Meeting.