THE Humanist Society Scotland has welcomed a decision by Highland Council to remove the votes of religious representatives on the running of schools.
Churches have been able to vote on the running of schools in the constituency for decades, in a tradition the charity has called “undemocratic".
Fraser Sutherland, chief executive of Humanist Society Scotland, said: “We are glad to hear of the decision by Highland Council to ensure that decisions on local issues are taken democratically by elected members who are accountable to the electorate.
"Giving voting rights to churches gives them more say on how schools are run than teachers, pupils, and parents.
“Other local authorities across Scotland should reflect on Highland’s decision and the similar decision in Orkney last week and review their own voting arrangements.”
With Christianity in the Highlands dropping to just 27%, the charity believes that this move will help better represent the wishes of the locals.
The vote saw a majority of 23 back the move, making Highland Council the 5th Scottish local authority to take this decision.
Moray, Borders, Perth and Kinross and Orkney are the other council areas to do the same.
The voting rights came under scrutiny after the closure of Blairingone primary school in Perth and Kinross.
The school was eventually closed in 2019 due to the votes of the church representatives.
This case led the Scottish Government to instruct local authorities that it was their decision on whether to maintain the voting rights.
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