Agenda item

Report of the Managing Director

The Managing Director submitted a report (previously circulated) to advise Members of the appointment of a representative for the Darlington Baptist Church (Group A), to give consideration to a new appointment to Group A (other Religious Faiths) and to note resignations.

Members were advised that a nomination had been received from the Darlington Baptist Church to fill the current vacancy for the Darlington Baptist Church and the local authority had taken all reasonable steps to assure themselves that Rev Vicky Thompson was representative of the religion.

A co-opted Member had also been sought, following approval by this SACRE at its meeting on 12 November 2019 to appoint a Co-opted Member to representative the Humanists and Janet Mole has volunteered.

It was also reported that Jenny Uzzell, the Chair of this SACRE had proposed that she be considered as a Member of Group A, representatives of the Other Religious Faiths representing Paganism and the local authority had taken all reasonable steps to assure themselves that Jenny Uzzell was a representative of the religion and confirmed that Paganism was represented on other SACRE’s.

Members were requested to note that Mrs Fiona Rankin can no longer be a representative of the National Education Union (NEU) on this SACRE as she had now joined the National Association of School Teacher/Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT); that Phil Andre, Co-opted Member had also offered his resignation; and that Dr I Thakur be removed as a Member of this SACRE in accordance with the Constitution as a representative of Hinduism. 

Members also considered that if Jenny Uzzell was appointed as a representative in Group A, there was a vacancy in Group C, representatives of Trade Unions for a NASUWT Member, which Mrs Fiona Rankin was agreeable to filling.

IT WAS AGREED – That Members,

(a)   note the appointment of Rev Vicky Thompson as the named representative for the Darlington Baptist Church and that membership be for a period of four years;

(b)   note the resignation of Mr Phil Andre as Co-optee and the resignation of Mrs Fiona Rankin from the NEU,and that the thanks of this SACRE be extended to them for their valued contribution to this SACRE over the years;

(c)   note the removal of Dr Thakur from the Membership of this SACRE with immediate effect;

(d)   note Jan Mole as a Co-opted representative of the Humanists;

(e)   note the change of Union represented by Mrs Fiona Rankin from the NEU to NASUWT; and

(f)    approve the appointment of Ms Jenny Uzzell as the named representative for the Pagan Federation and that membership be for a period of four years.