Agenda and minutes

The Committee discussed Agenda Item 4 of the previous meeting’s minutes with regard to the review of HSCARE representative groups. Officers provided clarification on the intended purpose of the prospective review and, as a result, no changes were made to the minutes.

Councillor Nelson also noted her apologies for the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

The Committee were informed that the long-standing Chair, Carole Jones, would be stepping down from the position for the 2022/23 municipal year. The Committee were subsequently made aware of the protocol for the election of Chair and Vice-Chair; that any member from groups A, B, C or D was welcome to make a suggestion/ self-nominate for the now vacant position of Chair as well as for the position of Vice-Chair.

The Committee were also informed that the previous Vice-Chair, Father Desmond Banister, had stepped down from his position on HSACRE and a new Vice-Chair should be appointed for the 2022/23 municipal year. This matter was highlighted at the previous meeting which was the final meeting of the municipal year 2021/22 however, and as the Chair was present at that meeting, this did not necessitate the appointment of a Vice-Chair. Thus, the Committee agreed to defer this item to the following meeting which would see the appointment of both a new Chair and Vice-Chair for the 2022/23 municipal year.

Following a discussion, the Committee agreed to appoint Sumen Starr as the new Chair and Keith Lunn as the Vice-Chair for the 2022/23 municipal year. These positions would last until the June 2023 meeting of HSACRE.

RESOLVED That HSACRE:

1)    Elected Sumen Starr as Chair of HSACRE for the 2022/23 municipal year; and

2)    Elected Keith Lunn as Vice-Chair of HSACRE for the 2022/23 municipal year.

Officers reminded the Committee of its previously expressed interest in holding a CPD training conference for the Borough’s RE teachers and associates at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge. The Committee scrutinised this proposal and discussed whether it should relate to the teacher’s survey (as detailed in the previous HSCARE meeting’s minutes) as well as the potential costs of such an initiative. An officer responded to the Committee’s queries regarding the CPD proposal with an estimated breakdown of the costs attached to the proposition. It was noted that the HSACRE Adviser could lead the CPD training. The Committee went on to commend the advisor for their continued work external to HSACRE which involved sustained efforts towards the promotion of Religious Education throughout the Borough.

It was also suggested by the Committee that interfaith events could be arranged to promote religious diversity and increased cooperation between different faith groups. The Committee noted that similar events had previously been held in the Borough and that these could potentially be revisited.

RESOLVED: That HSACRE discussed and commented on its proposed budget plans for the forthcoming year, 2022-23.

The Committee’s Jewish representative informed HSACRE about Holocaust Memorial Day, which took place on Thursday 27 January earlier this year, and discussed its theme of ‘Ordinary People, Extraordinary Journeys’ as well as the lesser known Greek Jewish Community. The members of the Committee were invited to look into this event and any other related events. Members asked a variety of questions relating to this matter and how the schools in the Borough engaged with the event.

Officers noted that the schools are made aware of these events, and it is generally left to them to decide on how their respective schools interact with such occasions.

The Committee accepted these comments but hinted that more should be done to commemorate such events in the Borough and mentioned how neighbouring Boroughs involve their schools in these events which could be examined and potentially looked at for inspiration as to how to instigate such change in approach.

RESOLVED: That HSACRE noted the update and analysed the significance of Holocaust Memorial Day and how HSACRE can improve its salience within the Borough with various initiatives.

The Committee noted the upcoming celebrations to be held at Gurdwara’s across the Borough on Thursday 16 June and were invited to attend these.

The HSACRE Adviser, Elenor Paul, had sent additional remarks prior to the meeting which were declared to the committee; namely that Members were updated that an Agreed Syllabus Conference and review of the Hillingdon Religious Education Syllabus was to be held in the 2023/24 municipal year; and that, should HSACRE be minded to, the Adviser could put together a proposed timetable for CPD training in the Autumn term. The Committee were supportive of this.

The following meeting dates have been agreed for the HSACRE:

-       Thursday 03 November 2022

-       Tuesday 28 March 2023

It was noted that the next meetings of HSACRE were due to take place at 6pm on Thursday 03 November 2022 and Tuesday 28 March 2023.