Fife Council
24 May 2012
Agenda Item No. 5 (c)
Education Matters - Appointment of Religious
Interest Representatives
Report by:
Michael Enston, Executive Director (Corporate Services)
Wards Affected:
All
Purpose
In terms of Section 124 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 the Council is
required to consider the appointment to the appropriate Committee of Council and
any related groups (when they meet to discharge education functions) of three
persons interested in the promotion of religious education.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Committee approve the appointment to the appropriate
Committee(s) of Council and any related groups of:
1)
a representative from both the Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic
Church as persons interested in the promotion of religious education (see
nominations detailed at paragraph 1.2); and
2)
a third person interested in the promotion of religious education from the
nominations detailed in the appendix to this report.
Resource Implications
Not applicable.
Legal & Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Impact Assessment
An EqIA checklist is not required as there are no equalities issues which apply.
Consultation
The Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic Church and all churches and
denominational bodies having places of worship in Fife have been contacted seeking
nominations.
1.0 Religious Interest Representatives
1.1
Provision is made for the appointment of three persons interested in the
promotion of religious education, one nominated by the Church of Scotland,
one nominated by the Roman Catholic Church, and one person representing
religious interests having regard to the comparative strength within the areas
of all the churches and denominational bodies having places of worship in
Fife. Each of the religious interest representatives will have voting powers on
the appropriate Committee(s) and/or related groups.
1.2
The following nominations have been received from the Church of Scotland
and Roman Catholic Church:-
1.3
Church of Scotland
-
The Reverend Andrew Philip
12 Torvean Place
Dunfermline
(to continue to serve as the Church’s
representative).
Roman Catholic Church
-
George Haggarty
St Brelades
7 Cambustay Gardens
Broughty Ferry
(to continue to serve as the Church’s
representative).
With regard to the appointment of the third representative, nominations were
sought by way of local advertisements, with a copy of the advert being sent to
any church or denominational body having a duly constituted charge or other
regularly appointed place of worship in Fife, together with ethnic minority
religious interest groups in Fife.
Six nominations were received from the undernoted churches and details of
these nominations, including details of the strengths of the churches or
denominational bodies and the statements in support of the nominations, are
contained in the Appendix to this report.
Nominee
Nominated by
Father Mark Aziz
Reverend Douglas N Campbell
Mr. Alistair Crockett
Reverend James Faddes
Reverend Kathryn Price
Ms Wendy Rand
Coptic Orthodox Church of Scotland
Free Church of Scotland
Cupar Baptist Church
Fife Baptist Church
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints
3.0 Conclusions
3.1
The Council’s requirement to involve persons interested in the promotion of
religious education when dealing with education matters can be met by the following
appointments:(a)
Reverend Andrew Philip and George Haggarty, representing the
Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic Church respectively; and
(b)
a third person to be determined by the Council, from the six
nominations received (see Appendix).
List of Appendices
1.
Biographical details and statements on behalf of the Nominees
Report Contact
David Henderson
Team Manager/Adviser (Committee Services)
Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes KY7 5LT
Telephone: 08451 55 55 55 Ext. No. 442242
Email – david.henderson@fife.gov.uk
APPENDIX
FIFE COUNCIL SCHEME OF ADMINISTRATION – EDUCATION MATTERS
APPOINTMENT OF “THIRD” PERSON INTERESTED IN THE PROMOTION OF
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Biographical Details and Statements on Behalf of the Nominees
FATHER MARK AZIZ
(Nominated by the Coptic Orthodox Church of Scotland)
Details of the strength of the Church or Denominational Body
St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church of Scotland in Kirkcaldy has approximately
400 members – it is the only Coptic Church in Scotland (established in 1942) – and has an
established Sunday School attended by members of the local community.
Nominee’s Profile
Father Mark Aziz was ordained as a Priest in July 1996 and has served the Church for
16 years. He has a Masters degree in Theology and is currently undertaking a Research
Fellow PhD in Biblical Counselling. Father Mark has 2 daughters at university, both of
whom attended school in Kirkcaldy. He is very concerned with the education of young
people and established the Church’s Sunday School. Father Mark holds several
conferences and spiritual days throughout the year for the Church’s congregation and
guests from the community and other churches around the world. He has a particular
interest in child development and education and is aware of the emotional and spiritual
needs of children. He is a skilled teacher who cares about the education of young people
and he carries out all aspects of his work with diligence and dedication.
REVEREND DOUGLAS N CAMPBELL
(Nominated by the Free Church of Scotland)
Details of the strength of the Church or Denominational Body
The Free Church of Scotland has 3 places of worship in Fife, serving a membership of
approximately 170 and falls within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Presbytery of
Edinburgh and Perth.
Nominee’s Profile
Reverend Campbell served the Free Church in South Africa, working among rural Xhosa
communities in the Eastern Cape. He served on the board of a university accredited
theological seminary and has been the Minister of Dunfermline Free Church since 2007.
Reverend Campbell served as the Chaplain in Masterton Primary School, helping in the day
to day running of the school, participating in various school assembles, serving on the
Rights Respecting Schools Steering Group, helping teachers lead classes on various
topics, and accompanied several P7 classes on outward bound courses at Dalguise and
Ardroy. He has recently been accepted as a member of the chaplaincy team at Woodmill
High School and is currently an elected member on the Parent Council of Masterton
Primary School, serving as its Chair for 2 years. Reverend Campbell has also worked
alongside several Area Education Officers, elected officials and Headteachers in his
capacity of parents’ representative on the search for and interview of 2 Headteachers and
one Depute Headteacher.
MR. ALISTAIR CROCKETT
(Nominated by Cupar Baptist Church)
Details of the strength of the Church or Denominational Body
There are 176 duly constituted Baptist Churches in Scotland with an estimated membership
of 14,000. Cupar Baptist Church has 92 members.
Nominee’s Profile
Mr. Crockett has been a member of Cupar Baptist Church for over 18 years and has served
the Church in a number of capacities, including Deacon, and has worked with the Sunday
School and led a youth group. He has been involved with the Scouting Association in
Cupar where he held the post of Chairman of the Area Committee. He is also a member on
the School Board of Bell Baxter School and carries out work with the voluntary organisation
“Young Enterprise” in Bell Baxter and Kirkcaldy High Schools. Mr. Crockett is a member of
Gideons International and has in the past worked as a volunteer with Scripture Union in its
activities in Fife. He is presently employed with Communities Scotland, and served as a
religious representative on Fife’s Education and Children’s Services Committee from March
2011 until May 2012.
REVEREND JAMES FADDES
(Nominated by the Fife Baptist Church)
Details of the strength of the Church or Denominational Body
The Baptist Church has 18 churches in Fife, serving a membership of 1106, although actual
attendances are stated to be substantially in excess of this, including many young people.
Nominee’s Profile
Reverend James Faddes has a BA Honours in Theology and a PG Diploma Alcohol and
Drug Studies. He has been Pastor of Leslie Baptist Church since February 2011 and
serves on the chaplaincy team of Glenwood High School. He is also the chaplain at Leslie
Primary School and a volunteer with Scripture Union, leading Xchange, a ‘Scripture Union’
group within Glenwood High School. Reverend Faddes has many years experience as a
youth worker both professionally and in management and also as a volunteer. He was
previously Team Leader of The Ark – an innovative youth work service in South Ayrshire –
which involved working closely with 12 churches of different denominations.
REVEREND KATHRYN PRICE
(Nominated by the Scottish Episcopal Church)
Details of the strength of the Church or Denominational Body
The Scottish Episcopal Church has 17 churches in Fife, serving a membership of 1851,
although Reverend Kathryn Price is an inter-church nomination and will be representing
other denominations as well as the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Nominee’s Profile
Reverend Kathryn Price was ordained in 1997 in Llanelli, Wales. She was Convener of
Assembly Youth and Children’s Work Committee between 2002 and 2006 and was Student
chaplaincy to Cefn Mawr Primary School, North Wales; she was part of the ecumenical
chaplaincy team at St John Lloyd Roman Catholic School, Llanelli between 1999 and 2004;
worked closely with head of religious studies at Coedcae High School, Llanelli between
1997 and 2004; was Chaplain to Drummore School, Glasgow (special needs) between
2004 and 2008; she is currently Chaplain to Coaltown of Balgonie Primary School, since
2008.
MS WENDY RAND
(Nominated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
Details of the strength of the Church or Denominational Body
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 2 congregations in Fife – in
Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy - with a combined membership of approximately 860 as well as
approximately 100 other members located in and around Cupar who attend one of the
Dundee Congregations. The Church is a Christian Church but is neither Catholic or
Protestant – it is a restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Nominee’s Profile
Ms Wendy Rand has a BSc in Psychology and was employed most recently as a Lifelong
Learning Tutor with Adam Smith College, Kirkcaldy. Ms Rand is currently a full-time mother
to 3 children, aged 3, 5 and 7 and is currently training for a half marathon to raise funds for
the Charity Amy and Friends – Cockayne Syndrome Support. She has voluntary
experience since 2001, including: Utah County Crisis Line volunteer; Assistant to Primary
President of a local church, working with children ages 18 months to 12 years; Seminary
Teacher for a local church, teaching daily scripture study class for 14 to 18 year olds;
President of a local church’s women’s organisation, teaching gospel-based lessons and
assessing needs of individuals and families and offering assistance; Faith in God Leader for
a local church, teaching children ages 8 to 11 years to live gospel principles and develop
talents and friendships; Chairman of Touch Mother and Toddler Group; is currently Public
Affairs Specialist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dunfermline
area; and currently a member of Touch and Garvock Community Council.