At a meeting of the full council yesterday (Thursday) members agreed that the three religious representatives will still be welcome to take part in debates but will no longer be able to vote. Councillors said they wanted to ensure that major decisions 鈥 such as whether a school should be closed or not 鈥 should only be taken by democratically elected members who are fully accountable to the public. At the meeting, deputation was made on behalf of Archbishop Leo Cushley and the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. Declan McGavin read a statement from Archbishop Cushley which said the presence of a Catholic representative was the result of 鈥渁 long-standing partnership between church and state that was not built on power but trust鈥. He added: 鈥淭aking away our vote and effectively our input into matters relating to Catholic education would be a great betrayal of that trust. 鈥淭o strip our representatives of their vote while retaining their right to speak sends a message to the community and says to us that your voice will be heard but it will not count.鈥 In a written submission to the council, David Seel, who represents the Evangelical group of churches also expressed concerns. He said: 鈥淩emoving voting rights from religious reps 鈥 when we are often among the most experienced, engaged, and constructive members of these committees 鈥 sends a damaging message: that the only voices worth listening to are elected or secular. This is narrow, not inclusive.鈥 But members of Falkirk Council stressed that the experience of the religious representatives would still be valued. Proposing the cross-party motion, SNP councillor Iain Sinclair said: 鈥淭he motion makes clear that in removing voting rights, we do not seek to diminish the voice of religious representatives. 鈥淭o those impacted by these changes, I want to make it crystal clear that your guidance, insight and experience is a vital part of our decision-making process.鈥 Falkirk no longer has a separate education committee, so matters are now referred to the council鈥檚 executive every second month. By law, local authorities in Scotland must appoint three religious representatives to their education committees, at least one of whom must be appointed by the Roman Catholic Church and one by the Church of Scotland. Falkirk Council also has several non-voting members who attend the education part of the executive; two teachers, a parent, two pupils and a care experienced representative. SNP councillor Fiona Collie, seconding the motion, said the change would put all non-councillor members 鈥渙n the same footing鈥. Independent councillor Laura Murtagh, who had originally asked for a report on the subject, said many councils, including Falkirk, now have minority administrations, which effectively means religious representatives 鈥渉old the balance of power鈥. 鈥淭his is about democratic accountability and reflecting the views of a modern, democratic society,鈥 she said. 鈥淭his report is about ensuring that anyone charged with the responsibility of taking decisions 鈥 for example whether a school should close 鈥 does so from a legitimate, elected and accountable position.鈥 Ms Murtagh also put forward her own motion asking the council to look at inviting members of the Scottish Youth Parliament to encourage more young people to get involved but this was not supported. Following the vote, National Secular Society head of campaigns Megan Manson said: 鈥淲e welcome the council鈥檚 decision, which is the best means of ensuring the council is equal, democratic and fair for everyone, whatever their religion or belief. 鈥淭his makes Falkirk the tenth council in Scotland to remove voting privileges from religious representatives. We hope all other councils follow suit 鈥 and that the Scottish Government reviews the outdated law requiring religious appointees on councils in the first place. 鈥淚f Scotland is a country where all have an equal chance to participate in decision making, it can鈥檛 give one select group a privileged role.鈥