Prayers will be said once again at the start of Tiverton Town Council meetings after councillor’s voted overwhelmingly to bring them back.
A total of 18 councillors voted - 15 in favour and 3 against the motion. This means that prayers will now become a formal part of future council meetings
The prayers will also become a formal part of the agenda of future council meetings, replacing the council’s Ethical Statement. Before the vote prayers were said before council meetings began.
Following a successful private member’s bill from Jake Berry, The Local Government (Religious Observances) Act 2015 came into force on 26 May allowing councils to include prayers within their meetings.
People of non-religious or differing beliefs can choose to leave the council chamber while the prayers are read.
Former Tiverton Mayor Tom Lindus backed the move and said: “I think it’s a way of concentrating your mind on what we are going to be doing for the rest of the evening. If people don’t want to have the time to think they may leave the meeting.”
Related News:
Commons passes 'Council prayers' bill
Bill to allow prayers at town council meetings
Related Coverage:
Tiverton town councillors vote to bring prayers back to meetings (Mid Devon Gazette)