Guidelines for Councils on Prayers at Meetings

Councils have the right to include prayers or religious observances in their meetings following the Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Act 2015. This legislation was introduced to address the High Court ruling in the case of R v Bideford Town Council, which initially deemed that councils lacked the authority to hold prayers as part of formal meetings.

The High Court decision was based on the Local Government Act 1972, which did not explicitly mention prayers. The court concluded that saying prayers was not incidental to the council's functions as per Section 111 of the 1972 Act. As a result, while prayers before a meeting were lawful, they could not be a formal part of the council's agenda.

To counter this, the Government enacted the Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Act 2015, ensuring all councils, regardless of their size or eligibility for the General Power of Competence, can include prayers in their meetings. This Act allows councils to hold prayers or other religious observances and supports their participation in religious events or events with religious elements.

Councils must decide whether to incorporate prayers into their meetings, considering the preferences and beliefs of all councillors. If prayers are held, it is advisable to ensure they occur before the formal meeting starts, maintaining a clear separation between the voluntary religious observance and the official business of the council. This approach respects the diverse beliefs of councillors and adheres to legal guidelines.

For further details, councils can refer to the full text of the Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Act 2015 and relevant legal precedents. This information will help councils navigate the incorporation of prayers into their meetings while ensuring compliance with current laws and respect for all members' beliefs.