Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence from any members who are unable to attend.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Alam and Watson, Alison Benbow and Charlie Wells.

To review and approve the minutes of the previous meetings held on 15 October 2019, and 3 March 2020, as true and accurate records of the proceedings.

The minutes from the last two previous meetings could not be approved as the meeting did not have a quorum in attendance.

To receive any declarations of interest from any members in respect of items of business on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest by members of the Advisory Council.

To determine whether any items on the agenda require the exclusion of members of the public and press.

There were no matters of business for which it was deemed necessary to exclude members of the public or press.

To receive a briefing in respect of the statutory requirements and funding for the renewal of an agreed syllabus for Religious Education.

As the meeting was not quorate, no recommendations could be agreed in respect of the upcoming deadline to renew the Agreed Syllabus for Religious education. A presentation and advice was invited from a representative of National R.E. which was delivered and considered by those in attendance. Following discussion, the intention was made to raise at a future quorate meeting the benefits of revising the 2016 syllabus with updates on specific topics including but not limited to human rights and non-religious worldviews. It was observed that the option to revise the previous syllabus would involve the appropriation of about £5,000. It was noted that due to time constraints and the upcoming expiry of the current syllabus in 2021, members of the Advisory Council might undertake efforts outside the meeting to arrange the allocation of funding that was understood to be necessary, and to take further advice around the necessary revisions that a future quorate meeting might later consider.

To determine any items which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no matters which in the opinion of the Chair required urgent consideration.

The next virtual meeting of the Rotherham Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education will be held on 16 February 2020, commencing at 4 pm.

The next virtual meeting of the Rotherham Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education was scheduled for 16 February 2021, commencing at 4.00 pm.