St Albans City and District Council has voted to abolish Christian prayers before meetings in a move supporters claim promotes equality and inclusivity.
Councillors voted 25-20 in favour of removing the traditional religious practice last week.
The decision ends the 50-year tradition of beginning council meetings with Christian prayers.
It comes despite Christians still forming the largest religious group in the area.
St Albans City and District Council has voted to abolish Christian prayers before meetings in a move supporters claim promotes equality and inclusivity
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The motion was proposed by Liberal Democrat councillor Sinéad Howland, who argued that prayers before meetings “may inadvertently exclude or alienate individuals of different faiths or those without religious beliefs”.
She said the practice contradicted the council’s commitment to “equality and inclusivity”.
Cllr Howland stated the motion “addresses fairness, inclusion, and respect” and ensures “no councillor feels like an outsider in their own chamber”.
She added that many other councils had already made similar changes.
The motion noted that despite attempts to hold prayers separately before meetings, “this separation has not been consistently or effectively achieved”.
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This had led to councillors of other religions and beliefs feeling “the need to wait outside, disrupting the process of preparing for the meeting”.
The motion also referenced the Equality Act 2010, which includes a Public Sector Equality Duty to “eliminate discrimination and foster good relations between people with different characteristics”.
According to the 2021 census, Christians make up 47.4 per cent of St Albans’ population, down from 59.7 per cent in 2011.
Meanwhile, 37.1% of residents reported having no religion.
Other religious groups represent smaller proportions of the local population.
The motion was proposed by Liberal Democrat councillor Sinéad Howland, who argued that prayers before meetings ‘may inadvertently exclude or alienate individuals of different faiths or those without religious beliefs’
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Muslims account for 4.7 per cent, while 1.5 per cent are Jewish and 1.8 per cent Hindu.
The National Secular Society (NSS), which campaigns for inclusive local democracy, has welcomed the move.
NSS head of campaigns, Megan Manson, said: “It’s great news that St Albans Council recognises the importance of an inclusive and secular approach to local government.
“We congratulate the council on its decision to remove prayers from the beginning of meetings, to ensure no one in attendance feels alienated or excluded.
“We urge all local councils across the country which still hold prayers to take heed and follow this example.”