Synodical Government Measure 1969

SCHEDULES

Section 1.

SCHEDULE 1 E Form of Proposed Canon

Extent Information

E1 For extent to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man see s. 9(3)-(5)

Of the General Synod and the Convocations E

1 E On such day as may be appointed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York under the M1 Synodical Government Measure 1969, the powers to legislate by Canon and other functions of the Convocation of Canterbury [York], and the authority, rights and privileges of the said Convocation, shall vest in the General Synod of the Church of England, being the Church Assembly renamed and reconstituted by the said Measure.

Marginal Citations

M1 1969 No. 2 (21:1).

2 E Notwithstanding such vesting as aforesaid, the said Convocation may continue to meet separately, within the province or elsewhere at such places and times as they may determine, for the purpose of considering matters concerning the Church of England and making provision by appropriate instruments for such matters in relation to their province or referring such matters to the General Synod, and shall meet for the purpose of discharging their functions under section 3 of this Measure and their functions under Article 7 of the Constitution of the General Synod in respect of provisions touching doctrinal formulae or the services or ceremonies of the Church of England or the administration of the Sacraments or sacred rites thereof, or to consider any other matter referred to them by the General Synod:

Provided that the power to make provision as aforesaid shall not be exercisable by Canon, and shall (without prejudice to the said Article 7) be exercisable consistently with the exercise of functions by the General Synod and, in the event of any inconsistency, the provision made by the General Synod shall prevail.

3 E The said Convocation may, by their Standing Orders or otherwise, make provision for joining to their two Houses, at such sittings and for the purposes of such of their functions as they may determine, a House of Laity composed of—

(a) such of the members of the House of Laity of the General Synod as are elected for areas in the province;

(b) such of the ex-officio and co-opted members of the said House as may be allocated to the province for the purposes of this paragraph by the President and the Prolocutor of the Houses of the said Convocation and the Prolocutor and Pro-Prolocutor of the House Laity of the General Synod; and

(c) the member of the said House chosen by the lay members of religious communities in the said province:

Provided that the House of Laity joined as aforesaid to the two Houses of the said Convocation shall not be given any power to vote on any matter referred to the Convocation under Article 7 of the said Constitution, or any matter in respect of which powers are exercisable by the Convocation in accordance with section 3 of the said Measure.

4 E The vesting of rights and privileges of the said Convocation in the General Synod by this Canon shall not affect the right of the said Convocation (which shall be exercisable also by the General Synod) to present addresses to Her Majesty, or the right of the Lower House of the said Convocation to present gravamina to the Upper House thereof.

Section 2.

SCHEDULE 2 E Constitution of the General Synod

Extent Information

E2 For extent to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man see s. 9(3)-(5)

1 E The General Synod shall consist of the Convocations of Canterbury and York joined together in a House of Bishops and a House of Clergy and having added to them a House of Laity.

2 E The House of Bishops and the House of Clergy shall accordingly comprise the Upper and the Lower Houses respectively of the said Convocations, and the House of Laity shall be elected and otherwise constituted in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.

3 (1) The General Synod shall meet in session at least twice a year, and at such times and places as it may provide, or, in the absence of such provision, as the Joint Presidents of the Synod may direct. E

(2) The General Synod shall, on the dissolution of the Convocations, itself be automatically dissolved, and shall come into being on the calling together of the new Convocations.

(3) Business pending at the dissolution of the General Synod shall not abate, but may be resumed by the new Synod at the stage reached before the dissolution, and any Boards, Commissions, Committees or other bodies of the Synod may, so far as may be appropriate and subject to any Standing Orders or any directions of the Synod or of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, continue their proceedings during the period of the dissolution, and all things may be done by the Archbishops or any such bodies or any officers of the General Synod as may be necessary or expedient for conducting the affairs of the Synod during the period of dissolution and for making arrangements for the resumption of business by the new Synod.

(4) A member of the General Synod may continue to act during the period of the dissolution as a member of any such Board, Commission, Committee or body:

Provided that, if a member of the Synod who is an elected proctor of the clergy or an elected member of the House of Laity does not stand for re-election or is not re-elected, this paragraph shall cease to apply to him with effect from the date on which the election of his successor is announced by the presiding officer.

4 (1) The Archbishops of Canterbury and York shall be joint Presidents of the General Synod, and they shall determine the occasions on which it is desirable that one of the Presidents shall be the chairman of a meeting of the General Synod, and shall arrange between them which of them is to take the chair on any such occasion: E

Provided that one of the Presidents shall be the Chairman when any motion is taken for the final approval of a provision to which Article 7 of this Constitution applies and in such other cases as may be provided in Standing Orders.

[F1 (2) The Presidents shall, after consultation with the Appointments Committee of the Church of England, appoint from among the members of any House of the Synod a panel of such number of persons as the Presidents may determine, who shall be available to take the chair at meetings of the Synod, being persons who shall be chosen for their experience of chairing and ability to chair meetings; and it shall be the duty of one of the persons on the panel, in accordance with arrangements approved by the Presidents and subject to any special directions of the Presidents, to take the chair at meetings of the Synod at which neither of the Presidents take the chair.]

(3) The Provincial Registrars shall be Joint Registrars of the General Synod.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2 art. 4(2) substituted (1.10.2006) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2006 (No. 1), ss. 8(a), 16(2); 2006 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 2 Art. 4(2): functions of Standing Committee transferred (1.1.1999) to Appointments Committee by S.I. 1998/1715, arts. 1(2)(4), 2, Sch. 1; Instrument made by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York dated 14.10.1998

5 (1) A motion for the final approval of any Measure or Canon shall not be deemed to be carried unless, on a division by Houses, it receives the assent of the majority of the members of each House present and voting: E

Provided that by permission of the chairman and with the leave of the General Synod given in accordance with Standing Orders this requirement may be dispensed with.

(2) All other motions of the General Synod shall, subject as hereinafter provided, be determined by a majority of the members of the Synod present and voting, and the vote may be taken by a show of hands or a division:

Provided that, except in the case of a motion relating solely to the course of business or procedure, any 25 members present may demand a division by Houses and in that case the motion shall not be deemed to be carried unless, on such a division, it receives the assent of the majority of the members of each House present and voting.

[F2 (3) This Article shall be subject to any provision of this Constitution or of any Measure with respect to special majorities of the Synod or of each House thereof, and where a special majority of each House is required the vote shall be taken on a division by Houses, and where a special majority of the whole Synod is required, the motion shall, for the purposes of this Article, be one relating solely to procedure.]

[F3 (4) Without prejudice to Article 11(1) below, where a vote is to be taken by a division either of the whole Synod or by Houses, Standing Orders may provide for the vote to be taken either by physical separation of the members voting or by other means including such electronic method of voting as may from time to time be determined by the Business Committee.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Article 5(3) substituted by Synodical Government (Special Majorities) Measure 1971 (No. 1, SIF 21:1), s. 1(3)

F3 Sch. 2 art. 5(4) substituted (1.10.2006) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2006 (No. 1), ss. 8(b), 16(2); 2006 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

6 E The functions of the General Synod shall be as follows:—

(a) to consider matters concerning the Church of England and to make provision in respect thereof—

(i) by Measure intended to be given, in the manner prescribed by the M2 Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the force and effect of an Act of Parliament, or

(ii) by Canon made, promulged and executed in accordance with the like provisions and subject to the like restrictions and having the like legislative force as Canons heretofore made, promulged and executed by the Convocations of Canterbury and York, or

(iii) by such order, regulation or other subordinate instrument as may be authorised by Measure or Canon; or

(iv) by such Act of Synod, regulation or other instrument or proceeding as may be appropriate in cases where provision by or under a Measure or Canon is not required;

(b) to consider and express their opinion on any other matters of religious or public interest.

Marginal Citations

M2 1919 c. 76 (21:1).

7 (1) A provision touching doctrinal formulae or the services or ceremonies of the Church of England or the administration of the Sacraments or sacred rites thereof shall, before it is finally approved by the General Synod, be referred to the House of Bishops, and shall be submitted for such final approval in terms proposed by the House of Bishops and not otherwise. E

(2) A provision touching any of the matters aforesaid shall, if the Convocations or either of them or the House of Laity so require, be referred, in the terms proposed by the House of Bishops for final approval by the General Synod, to the two Convocations sitting separately for their provinces and to the House of Laity; and no provision so referred shall be submitted for final approval by the General Synod unless it has been approved, in the terms so proposed, by each House of the two Convocations sitting as aforesaid and by the House of Laity.

(3) The question whether such a reference is required by a Convocation shall be decided by the President and Prolocutor of the Houses of that Convocation, and the Prolocutor shall consult the Standing Committee of the Lower House of Canterbury or, as the case may be, the Assessors of the Lower House of York, and the decision of the President and Prolocutor shall be conclusive:

Provided that if, before such a decision is taken, either House of a Convocation resolves that the provision concerned shall be so referred or both Houses resolve that it shall not be so referred, the resolution or resolutions shall be a conclusive decision that the reference is or is not required by that Convocation.

(4) The question whether such a reference is required by the House of Laity shall be decided by the Prolocutor and Pro-Prolocutor of that House who shall consult the Standing Committee of that House, and the decision of the Prolocutor and the Pro-Prolocutor shall be conclusive:

Provided that if, before such a decision is taken, the House of Laity resolves that the reference is or is not required, the resolution shall be a conclusive decision of that question.

(5) Standing Orders of the General Synod shall provide for ensuring that a provision which fails to secure approval on a reference under this Article by each of the four Houses of the Convocations or by the House of Laity of the General Synod is not proposed again in the same or a similar form until a new General Synod comes into being, except that, in the case of objection by one House of one Convocation only, provision may be made for a second reference to the Convocations and, in the case of a second objection by one House only, for reference to the Houses of Bishops and Clergy of the General Synod for approval by a two-thirds majority of the members of each House present and voting, in lieu of such approval by the four Houses aforesaid.

(6) If any question arises whether the requirements of this Article or Standing Orders made thereunder apply to any provision, or whether those requirements have been complied with, it shall be conclusively determined by the Presidents and Prolocutors of the Houses of the Convocations and the Prolocutor and Pro-Prolocutor of the House of Laity of the General Synod.

8 (1) A Measure [F4 or Canon] providing for permanent changes in the Services of Baptism or Holy Communion or in the Ordinal, or a scheme for a constitutional union or a permanent and substantial change of relationship between the Church of England and another Christian body [F5 being a body a substantial number of whose members reside in Great Britain], shall not be finally approved by the General Synod unless, at a stage determined by the Archbishops, the Measure [F4 or Canon] or scheme, or the substance of the proposals embodied therein, has been approved by a majority of the dioceses at meetings of their Diocesan Synods F6 .... E

[F7 (1A) If the Archbishops consider that this article should apply to a scheme which affects the Church of England and another Christian body but does not fall within paragraph (1) of this Article, they may direct that this Article shall apply to that scheme, and where such a direction is given this article shall apply accordingly.]

[F8 (1B) The General Synod may by resolution provide that final approval of any such scheme as aforesaid, being a scheme specified in the resolution, shall require the assent of such special majorities of the members present and voting as may be specified in the resolution, and the resolution may specify a special majority of each House or of the whole Synod or of both, and in the latter case the majorities may be different.]

[F9 (1C) A motion for the final approval of a Measure providing for permanent changes in any such Service or in the Ordinal shall not be deemed to be carried unless it receives the assent of a majority in each House of the General Synod of not less than two-thirds of those present and voting.]

(2) Any question whether this Article applies to any Measure [F4 or canon] or scheme, or whether its requirements have been complied with, shall be conclusively determined by the Archbishops, the Prolocutors of the Lower Houses of the Convocations and the Prolocutor and Pro-Prolocutor of the House of Laity of the General Synod.

Textual Amendments

F4 Words inserted by Church of England (Worship and Doctrine) Measure 1974 (No. 3, SIF 21:7), Sch. 1, para. 3

F5 Words inserted by Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 1974 (No. 1, SIF 21:1), s. 2(1)

F6 Words in Sch. 2 art. 8(1) repealed (1.7.2013) by Diocese in Europe Measure 2013 (No. 1), ss. 2(2)(a), 3(2); 2013 No. 3, art. 3

F7 Article 8(1A) inserted by Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 1974 (No. 1, SIF 21:1), s. 2(2)

F8 Article 8(1B) inserted by Synodical Government (Special Majorities) Measure 1971 (No. 1, SIF 21:1), s. 1(1) as Article 8(1A) and renumbered Article 8(1B) by Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 1974 (No. 1, SIF 21:1), s. 2(3)

F9 Article 8(1C) inserted by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1978 (No. 3, SIF 21:8), s. 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Article 8 amended by Diocese in Europe Measure 1980 (No. 2, SIF 21:1), s. 3(2)

9 (1) Standing Orders of the General Synod may provide for separate sittings of any of the three Houses or joint sittings of any two Houses, and as to who is to take the chair at any such separate or joint sitting. E

(2) The House of Laity shall elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman of that House who shall also discharge the functions assigned by this Constitution and the Standing Orders and by or under any Measure or Canon to the Prolocutor and Pro-Prolocutor of that House.

10 (1) The General Synod shall appoint a Legislative Committee from members of all three Houses, to whom shall be referred all Measures passed by the General Synod which it is desired should be given, in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the M3 Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the force of an Act of Parliament; and it shall be the duty of the Legislative Committee to take such steps with respect to any such Measure as may be so prescribed. E

(2) The General Synod may appoint or provide by their Standing Orders for the appointment of [F10 such Committees, Commissions and other bodies (in addition to the Committees mentioned in section 10 of the National Institutions Measure 1998)], which may include persons who are not members of the Synod, and such officers as they think fit.

(3) Each House may appoint or provide by their Standing Orders for the appointment of such Committees of their members as they think fit.

Textual Amendments

F10 Words in Sch. 2 art. 10(2) substituted (1.1.1999) by S.I. 1998/1715, art. 4(4), Sch. 2 para. 1

Marginal Citations

M3 1919 c. 76 (21:1).

11 (1) The General Synod may make, amend and revoke Standing Orders providing for any of the matters for which such provision is required or authorised by this Constitution to be made, and consistently with this Constitution, for the meetings, business and procedure of the General Synod. E

[F11 (1A) Provision may be made by Standing Order that the exercise of any power of the General Synod to suspend the Standing Orders or any of them shall require the assent of such a majority of the members of the whole Synod present and voting as may be specified in the Standing Order.]

(2) Each House may make, amend and revoke Standing Orders for the matter referred to in Article 10(3) hereof and consistently with this Constitution and with any Standing Orders of the General Synod, for the separate sittings, business and procedure of that House.

(3) Subject to this Constitution and to any Standing Orders, the business and procedure at any meeting of the General Synod or any House or Houses thereof shall be regulated by the chairman of the meeting.

Textual Amendments

F11 Article 11(1A) inserted by Synodical Government (Special Majorities) Measure 1971 (No. 1, SIF 21:1), s. 1(2)

12 (1) References to final approval shall, in relation to a Canon or Act of Synod be construed as referring to the final approval by the General Synod of the contents of the Canon or Act, and not to the formal promulgation thereof: E

Provided that the proviso to Article 4(1) shall apply both to the final approval and to the formal promulgation of a Canon or Act of Synod.

(2) Any question concerning the interpretation of this Constitution, other than questions for the determination of which express provision is otherwise made, shall be referred to and determined by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

(3) No proceedings of the General Synod or any House or Houses thereof, or any Board, Commission, Committee or body thereof shall be invalidated by any vacancy in the membership of the body concerned or by any defect in the qualification, election or appointment of any member thereof.

13 E Any functions exercisable under this Constitution by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, whether described as such or as Presidents of the General Synod, may, during the absence abroad or incapacity through illness of one Archbishop or a vacancy in one of the Sees, be exercised by the other Archbishop alone.

Section 4.

SCHEDULE 3 E Church Representation Rules

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 Sch. 3 modified by Cathedrals Measure 1963 (No. 2), s. 12(3) (as substituted (1.6.1992) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1992 (No. 1), s. 17(1), Sch. 3 para. 10;Instrument dated 27.5.1992 made by Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

Sch. 3 modified (30.6.1999) by 1999 No. 1, ss. 12(4), 38(2)(3) (with ss. 33, 37, 38(5)(6))

C4 Sch. 3 applied by 2001 No. 1, s. 5(7) (as substituted (19.5.2014) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2014 (No. 1), s. 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 15; S.I. 2014/1369, art. 2)

Part I E Church Electoral Roll

Formation of Roll E

1 (1) There shall be a church electoral roll (in these rules referred to as “the roll”) in every parish, on which the names of lay persons shall be entered as hereinafter provided. The roll shall be available for inspection by bona-fide inquirers. E

[F12 (2) A lay person shall be entitled to have his name entered on the roll of a parish if he is baptised, of sixteen years or upwards, has signed an application form for enrolment set out in Appendix I of these rules and declares himself either—

(a) to be a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion therewith resident in the parish; or

(b) to be such a member and, not being resident in the parish, to have habitually attended public worship in the parish during a period of six months prior to enrolment; or

(c) to be a member in good standing of a Church which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity (not being a Church in communion with the Church of England) and also prepared to declare himself to be a member of the Church of England having habitually attended public worship in the parish during a period of six months prior to enrolment.

Provided that where a lay person will have his sixteenth birthday after the intended revision of the electoral roll or the preparation of a new roll but on or before the date of the annual parochial church meeting, he may complete a form of application for enrolment and his name shall be enrolled but with effect from the date of his birthday.

(3) Where a person resides in an extra-parochial place he shall be deemed for the purposes of these rules to reside in the parish which it abuts, and if there is any doubt in the matter a determination shall be made by the bishop’s council and standing committee.]

[F13 [F14 (4)] A person shall be entitled to have his name on the roll of each of any number of parishes if he is entitled by virtue of F15 . . . [F16 paragraphs (2) and (3)]of this rule to have his name entered on each roll; but a person whose name is entered on the roll of each of two or more parishes must choose one of those parishes for the purpose of the provisions of these rules which prescribe the qualifications for election to a deanery synod, a diocesan synod or the General Synod or for membership [F17 of a parochial church council under rule F18 . . . [F19 14(1)(f)]or] of a deanery synod under rule [F20 24(6)(b)].]

[F14 (5)] The roll shall, until a parochial church council has been constituted in a parish, be formed and revised by the minister and churchwardens (if any), and shall, after such council has been constituted, be kept and revised by or under the direction of the council. Reference in this rule to a parochial church council shall, so far as may be necessary for giving effect to these rules, be construed as including references to the minister and churchwardens (if any).

[F21 [F14 (6)] Where a new parish is created by a pastoral scheme, the roll of that parish shall in the first instance consist—

(a) in the case of a parish created by the union of two or more former parishes, of the rolls of those parishes combined to form one roll;

(b) in any other case, of the names of the persons whose names are at the date of the coming into existence of the new parish entered on the roll of a parish the whole or any part of which forms part of the new parish and who are either resident in the new parish or have habitually attended public worship therein.]

[F14 (7)] The parochial church council shall appoint [F22 a church electoral roll officer] to act under its directions for the purpose of carrying out its functions with regard to the electoral roll.

[F14 (8)] The names of persons who are entitled to have their names entered upon the roll of the parish shall, subject to the provisions of these rules, be from time to time added to the roll. F23 . . . [F24 It shall be the duty of the electoral roll officer to keep the roll constantly up to date by the addition and removal of names as from time to time required by these rules and to report such additions and removals at the next meeting of the parochial church council.][F25 When additions and removals have been made by the electoral roll officer a list of such amendments shall be published by being exhibited continuously for not less than fourteen days on or near the principal door of every church in the parish and every building in the parish licensed for public worship in such manner as the Council may appoint and the list shall contain notification of the right of appeal referred to in rule 43.]

[F14 (9)] Subject to the provisions of this rule, a person’s name shall, as the occasion arises, be removed from the roll, if he:—

(a) has died; or

(b) becomes a clerk in Holy Orders; or

(c) signifies in writing his desire that his name should be removed; or

F26 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F27 (d) ceases to reside in the parish, unless after so ceasing he continues, in any period of six months [F28 habitually], to attend public worship in the parish, unless prevented from doing so by illness or other sufficient cause; or]

[F29 (e)] is not resident in the parish and has not [F30 habitually]attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months, not having been prevented from doing so by illness or other sufficient cause; or

F26 (g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F29 (f)] was not entitled to have his name entered on the roll at the time when it was entered.

[F14 (10)] The removal of a person’s name from the roll under any of the provisions of these rules shall be without prejudice to his right to have his name entered again, if he [F31 has or acquires that right].

F14 [(11)] The roll shall where practicable contain a record of the address of every person whose name is entered on the roll, but a failure to comply with this requirement shall not prejudice the validity of any entry on the roll.

Textual Amendments

F12 Sch. 3 rule 1 para. (2)(3) substituted for (2) (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 1.

F13 Rule 1(3) (now renumbered (4)) substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 1(2)

F14 Sch. 3 rule 1 paras. (3) to (9) renumbered (4)-(11) (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 1.

F15 Words in Sch. 3 rule 1 para. 1(4) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 2.

F16 Words in Sch. 3 rule 1 para. (4) substituted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 2.

F17 Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 1(2)

F18 Words in Sch. 3 rule 1 para. (4) omitted (1.1.1996) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 1

F19 Words in Sch. 3 rule 1 para. (4) inserted (1.1.1996) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 1

F20 Words in Sch. 3 rule 1 para. (4) (originally (3)) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F21 Rule 1(4A) (now renumbered (6)) inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 1

F22 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 1(3)

F23 Words in Sch. 3 rule 1 para. (8) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 3

F24 Words in Sch. 3 rule 1 para. (8) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 3

F25 Words in Sch. 3 rule 1(8) inserted (with proviso) (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 1, 24(3)

F26 Rule 1(7)(d)(g) (as originally enacted) repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 1(4)

F27 Rule 1(7)(d) (now renumbered 1(9)(d))substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 1(2)

F28 Word in Sch. 3 rule 1 para. (9)(d) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 4

F29 Rule 1(7)(d)(e)(f) (originally (e)(f)(h)) re-lettered by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 1(4)

F30 Word in Sch. 3 rule 1 para. (9)(e) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 4

F31 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 1(5)

Revision of Roll and Preparation of New Roll E

2 (1) Except in a year in which a new roll is prepared, the roll of a parish shall be revised annually by or under the direction of the council. Notice of the intended revision in the form set out in section 2 of Appendix I to these rules shall be affixed by the minister or under his direction on or near the principal door of every church in the parish and every building in the parish licensed for public worship and remain so affixed for a period of not less than fourteen days before the commencement of the revision. The revision shall be completed not less than fifteen days or more than twenty-eight days before the annual parochial church meeting. E

(2) Upon every revision all enrolments or removals from the roll which have been effected since the date of the last revision (or since the formation of the roll, if there has been no previous revision) shall be reviewed, and such further enrolments or removals from the rolls as may be required shall be effected.

(3) After the completion of the revision, a copy of the roll as revised shall, together with a list of the names removed from the roll since the last revision (or since the formation of the roll, if there has been no previous revision), be published by being exhibited continuously for not less than fourteen days before the annual parochial church meeting on or near the principal door of the parish church in such manner as the council shall appoint. F32 . . . [F33 During the period while the copy is so exhibited any errors and omissions in the roll may be corrected but subject thereto and to the provisions of rule 1(2), no names shall be added to or removed from the roll during the period in any year between the completion of the revision and the close of the annual parochial church meeting.]

(4) Not less than two months before the annual parochial church meeting in the year [F34 2007] and every succeeding sixth year notice in the form set out in section 3 of Appendix 1 to these rules shall be affixed by the minister or under his direction on or near the principal door of every church in the parish and every building in the parish licensed for public worship and remain so affixed for a period of not less than fourteen days. On the affixing of the notice a new roll shall be prepared.

[F35 At every service held on each of the two Sundays within the period of fourteen days beginning with the date of the affixing of the notice or, in the case of a church in which no service is held on either of those Sundays, at every service held in that church on the first Sunday after that date the person conducting the service shall inform the congregation of the preparation of the new roll.]

[F36 (5) The parochial church council shall take reasonable steps to inform every person whose name is entered on the previous roll that a new roll is being prepared and that if he wishes to have his name entered on the new roll he must apply for enrolment. No such steps need be taken with respect to any person whose name could be removed from the previous roll under rule [F37 1(9)].]

(6) The new roll shall be prepared by entering upon it the names of persons entitled to entry under rule 1(2), and a fresh application shall be required from persons whose names were entered on the previous roll. A person whose name was so entered shall not be disqualified for entry on the new roll by reason only of his failure to comply with the conditions specified in rule [F38 1(2)(b) and (c)], if he was prevented from doing so by illness or other sufficient cause, and the circumstances shall be stated on the application form. The preparation of the new roll shall be completed not less than fifteen days or more than twenty-eight days before the annual parochial church meeting.

(7) After the completion of the new roll, a copy shall be published by being exhibited continuously for not less than fourteen days before the annual parochial church meeting on or near the principal door of the parish church in such manner as the council shall appoint. F39 . . . [F40 During the period while the copy is so exhibited any errors and omissions in the roll may be corrected but subject thereto and to the provisions of rule 1(2) no names may be added to or removed from the roll during the period in any year between the completion of the new roll and the close of the annual parochial church meeting.]On the publication of the new roll [F41 it shall come into effect and] the previous roll shall cease to have effect

(8) Upon the alteration of the boundaries of any parishes the parochial church council of the parish from which any area is transferred shall enquire from the persons resident in that area whose names are entered on the roll of the parish, whether they wish to have their names transferred to the roll of the other parish. The parochial church council shall remove the names of persons answering in the affirmative from its own roll and shall inform the parochial church council of the parish in which such persons now reside, which shall enter the names on its roll without any application for enrolment being required.

Textual Amendments

F32 Words in Sch. 3 rule 2 para. (3) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 5.

F33 Words in Sch. 3 rule 2 para. (3) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 5.

F34 Word in Sch. 3 rule 2(4) substituted (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 1(a), 19(3)(b)

F35 Para. inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 2(1)

F36 Rule 2(5) substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 2(2)

F37 Words in Sch. 3 rule 2 para. (5) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F38 Words in Sch. 3 rule 2 para. (6) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F39 Words in Sch. 3 rule 2 para. (7) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 6.

F40 Words in Sch. 3 rule 2 para. (7) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 6.

F41 Words in Sch. 3 rule 2(7) inserted (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 1(b), 19(3)(b)

Procedural provisions relating to entry and removal of names E

3 (1) When a person applying for enrolment on the roll of any parish signifies his desire that his name should be removed from the roll of any other parish, notice of that fact shall be sent by the parochial church council receiving the application to the parochial church council of that other parish. E

(2) When the name of any person is removed from the roll of the parish owing to his having become resident in another parish, notice of that fact shall, whenever possible, be sent by the parochial church council of the first mentioned parish to the parochial church council of the last mentioned parish.

(3)—(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F42

Textual Amendments

F42 Sch. 3 rules 3(3)–(5), 4(3)(4), repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 4(b)

Certification of Numbers on Rolls E

[F43 4 E Not later than the 1st June the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary or church electoral roll officer of the parochial church council shall notify in writing the secretary of the diocesan synod of the number of names on the roll of each parish as at the date of the annual meeting and a copy of such notification shall be affixed at or near to the principal door of every church in the parish and every building licensed for public worship in the parish when notification is sent to the secretary of the diocesan synod, and shall remain so affixed for a period of not less than fourteen days.]

Textual Amendments

F43 Sch. 3 rule 4 substituted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 7.

[F44 [F45 5] (1) A person whose name is entered on the roll of a guild church shall for the purpose of the provisions of these rules which prescribe the qualifications for election to a deanery synod, a diocesan synod or the House of Laity of the General Synod, or for membership of a deanery synod under rule [F46 24(6)(b)], be deemed to be a person whose name is on the roll of the parish in which the guild church is, and references in those provisions or in rule [F46 1(4)] to a person whose name is on the roll of a parish or on the roll of each of two or more parishes, and in rule [F46 46] to entry on the roll of a parish, shall be construed accordingly. E

(2) In this rule “guild church” means a church in the City of London designated and established as a guild church under the City of London (Guild Churches) Acts 1952 and 1960.]

Textual Amendments

F44 Rule 4A added by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 5.

F45 Rule 5 (originally 4A) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 8.

F46 Words in Sch. 3 rule 5 para. (1) (originally 4A para. (1)) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

Part II E Parochial Church Meetings and Councils Annual Meetings

[F47 6] (1) In every parish there shall be held not later than the 30th April in each year the annual parochial church meeting (hereafter in these rules referred to as “the annual meeting”). E

(2) All lay persons whose names are entered on the roll of the parish shall be entitled to attend the annual meeting and to take part in its proceedings, and no other lay person shall be so entitled.

(3) A clerk in Holy Orders shall be entitled to attend the annual meeting of a parish and take part in its proceedings—

(a) if he is either beneficed in or licensed to the parish or any other parish in the area of the benefice to which the parish belongs; or

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F48

[F49 (b)] if he is resident in the parish and is not beneficed in or licensed to any other parish.

[F50 (c) if he is not resident in the parish and is not beneficed or licensed to any other parish, the parochial church council with the concurrence of the minister has declared him to be a habitual worshipper in the parish, such declaration being effective until the conclusion of the annual meeting in the year in which a new roll is prepared under rule 2 or his ceasing to be a habitual worshipper in the parish whichever is the earlier, but without prejudice to a renewal of such declaration; or

(d) if he is a co-opted member of the parochial church council in accordance with rule F51 . . . [F52 14(1)(h)].]

[F53 (4) Without prejudice to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this rule—

(a) all the members of the team of a team ministry shall be entitled to attend, and take part in the proceedings of, the annual meeting of the parish or each of the parishes in the area of the benefice for which the team ministry is established, and where the area of a group ministry includes the area of a benefice for which a team ministry is established, all the vicars in that ministry shall be entitled to attend, and take part in the proceedings of, the annual meeting of each of the other parishes in the area for which the group ministry is established;

(b) all the incumbents and priests in charge in a group ministry shall be entitled to attend, and take part in the proceedings of, the annual meeting of each of the parishes in the area for which the group ministry is established.

(5) Where two or more benefices are held in plurality and a team ministry is, or is to be, established for the area of one of those benefices, then, if a pastoral scheme provides for extending the operation of the team ministry, so long as the plurality continues, to the area of any other benefice so held, paragraph (4) of this rule shall have effect as if the references to the area of the benefice were references to the combined area of the benefices concerned.]

Textual Amendments

F47 Rule 6 (originally 5) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 8.

F48 Rule 5(3)(b) (as originally enacted) repealed by S.I. 1981/959, para. 2(1).

F49 Rule 5(3)(c) re-lettered “b” by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 4.

F50 Rule 5(3)(c)(d) inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 4.

F51 Words in Sch. 3 rule 6 para (3)(d) omitted (1.1.1996) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 1.

F52 Words in Sch. 3 rule 6 para (3)(d) inserted (1.1.1996) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 1.

F53 Rule 5(4)(5) inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 2(2).

Convening of Meeting E

[F54 7] (1) The annual meeting shall be convened by the minister of the parish by a notice in the form set out in section 4 of Appendix 1 to these rules affixed on or near to the principal door of every church in the parish and every building licensed for public worship in the parish, for a period including the last two Sundays before the day of the meeting. E

(2) The annual meeting shall be held at such place on such date and at such hour as shall be directed by the previous annual meeting, or by the parochial church council (which may vary any direction given by a previous annual meeting) or in the absence of any such direction as shall be appointed by the minister.

(3) During the vacancy of the benefice or curacy or when the minister is absent or incapacitated by illness or any other cause, the vice-chairman of the parochial church council, or if there is no vice-chairman, or if he is unable or unwilling to act, the secretary of or some other person appointed by that council shall have all the powers vested in the minister under this rule.

(4) The annual meeting shall be held at a place within the parish unless the parochial church council decide otherwise.

[F55 (5) The minister of a new parish created by a pastoral scheme, or, in the absence of the minister, a person appointed by the bishop, shall as soon as possible after the scheme comes into operation convene a special parochial church meeting, and, subject to paragraph (6) of this rule, the provisions of these rules relating to the convening and conduct of the annual general meeting shall apply to a special meeting convened under this paragraph.

(6) A special meeting so convened and held in the month of November or the month of December may, if the meeting so resolves, be for all purposes under these rules the annual meeting for the succeeding year, and a special meeting so convened shall in any event be for all such purposes the annual meeting for the year in which it is so convened and held.]

Textual Amendments

F54 Rule 7 (originally 6) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 8.

F55 Rule 6(5)(6) inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 3

Chairman E

[F56 8] E

[F56 8] [F57 (1) The minister, if present, or, if he is not present, the vice-chairman of the parochial church council, or, subject to paragraph (2) of this rule, if he also is not present, a chairman chosen by the annual meeting shall preside thereat. E

(2) Where a parish is in the area of a benefice for which a team ministry is established, and a vicar in that ministry is entitled to preside at an annual meeting of that parish by virtue of a provision in a pastoral scheme or the bishop’s licence assigning to the vicar the duties, or a share in the duties, of the chairmanship of the annual meeting of that parish, then, if both he and the vice-chairman of the parochial church council are not present at that meeting, but the rector in that ministry is present, the rector shall preside thereat.]

[F58 (3)] In case of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote [F59 unless it is a case where rule [F60 11(8)] applies]; but no clerical chairman shall have a vote in the election of the parochial representatives of the laity.

Textual Amendments

F56 Rule 8 (originally 7) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 8.

F57 Rule 7(1)(2) substituted for first sentence of rule 7 by S.I. 1981/959, para. 4(1)

F58 Second sentence of rule 7 numbered para. (3) by S.I. 1981/959, para. 4(2)

F59 Words inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 6

F60 Words in Sch. 3 rule 8 para. (3) (originally 7(3)) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

Business E

[F61 9] (1) The annual meeting shall receive from the parochial church council and shall be free to discuss:— E

F62 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F63 (a) a report on changes in the roll since the last annual parochial church meeting or, in a year in which a new roll is prepared, a report on the numbers entered on the new roll;]

F64 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F64 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F64 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F64 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F65 (b) an annual report on the proceedings of the parochial church council and the activities of the parish generally;

(c) the financial statements of the parochial church council for the year ending on the 31st December immediately preceding the meeting, independently examined or audited as provided by paragraph (3) hereof;]

[F66 (d)] a report upon the fabric, goods and ornaments of the church or churches of the parish [F67 , under section 5 of the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991]; and

[F66 (e)] a report on the proceedings of the deanery synod.

F68 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F68 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F69 (2) The council shall cause a copy of the said roll to be available for inspection at the meeting.

F69 (3) The said financial statements shall—

(a) be independently examined or audited in such manner as shall be prescribed in accordance with rule 54(8);

(b) be considered and, if thought fit, approved by the parochial church council and signed by the chairman presiding at the meeting of the council; and

(c) be displayed for a continuous period of at least seven days before the annual meeting, including at least one Sunday when the church is used for worship, on a notice-board either inside or outside the church.

F69 (4) The annual report referred to in paragraph (1)(b) above and the said financial statements shall be prepared in such form as shall be prescribed in accordance with rule 54(8) hereof for consideration by the annual meeting. Following such meeting the council shall cause [F70 copies of the annual report and statement] to be sent within twenty eight days of the annual meeting to the secretary of the diocesan board of finance for retention by the board.]

F71 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F72 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F73 [F74 (5)] The annual meeting shall in the manner provided by rule 11—

(a) elect in every third year parochial representatives of the laity to the deanery synod;

(b) elect parochial representatives of the laity to the parochial church council;

(c) appoint sidesmen;

F75 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F76 (d) appoint the independent examiner or auditor to the council for a term of office ending at the close of the next annual meeting, provided that such person shall not be a member of the council.]

and the elections and appointments shall be carried out in the above order.]

[F77 [F78 (6)] Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions and rule [F79 7(6)], a special parochial church meeting convened under rule [F79 7(5)] shall, in addition to other business,—

(a) decide on the number of members of the parochial church council who are to be the elected representatives of the laity;

(b) elect in the manner provided by rule [F79 11] parochial representatives of the laity to the deanery synod, if such representatives are required to be elected in the year for which that meeting is the annual meeting by virtue of rule [F79 7(6)].]

[F74 (7)] Any person entitled to attend the annual meeting may ask any question about parochial church matters, or bring about a discussion of any matter of parochial or general interest, by moving a general resolution or by moving to give any particular recommendation to the council in relation to its duties.

[F74 (8)] The annual meeting shall have power to adjourn and to determine its own rules of procedure.

[F74 (9)] The secretary of the parochial church council (or another person appointed by the meeting in his place) shall act as a clerk of the annual meeting, and shall record the minutes thereof.

Textual Amendments

F61 Rule 9 (originally 8) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 8.

F62 Sch. 3 rule 9(1)(a) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 8.

F63 Sch. 3 rule 9 para. 1(a) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 8.

F64 Sch. 3 rule 9 paras. (1)(b)-(e) omitted (1.5.1997) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 2.

F65 Sch. 3 rule 9 paras. (1)(b)(c) inserted (1.5.1997) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 2.

F66 Sch. 3 rule 9 paras. (1)(d)(e) (previously (1)(f)(g)) renumbered (1.5.1997) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 2.

F67 Words in Sch. 3 rule 8(1)(f) inserted (1.3.1993) by Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991 (No. 1, SIF 28:1), s. 32(1), Sch. 7 para. 4(a) (with s. 31(6)); Instrument dated 16.2.1993 made by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York

F68 Sch. 3 rule 9 paras. (2)(3) omitted (1.5.1997) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 3.

F69 Sch. 3 rule 9 paras. (2)-(4) inserted (1.5.1997) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 3.

F70 Words in Sch. 3 rule 9(4) substituted (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 2, 19(3)(b)

F71 Sch. 3 rule 9(4) (originally 8(4)) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 10.

F72 Sch. 3 rule 9(5) (originally 8(5)) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 10.

F73 Sch. 3 rule 9(4) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 10.

F74 Sch. 3 rule 9 paras. (5)-(9) (previously (4)-(8)) renumbered (1.5.1997) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 3.

F75 Sch. 3 rule 9 para. (4)(d) omitted (1.5.1996) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 4.

F76 Sch. 3 rule 9 para. (4)(d) inserted (1.5.1996) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 4.

F77 Rule 8(6) inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 5

F78 Sch. 3 rule 8(6) renumbered as 9(5) (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 10 and renumbered (1.5.1997) as rule 9(6) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 3.

F79 Words in Sch. 3 rule 9 para. (5) (originally 8(6)) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

Qualifications of persons to be chosen or elected by annual meetings E

[F80 10] F81 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E

[F82 (1) Subject to the provisions of rule 1(4) and paragraph (3) of this rule, the qualifications of a person to be elected a parochial representative of the laity to either the parochial church council or the deanery synod are that—

(a) his name is entered on the roll of the parish [F83 and, unless he is under the age of eighteen years at the date of the election, has been so entered for at least the preceding period of six months];

(b) he is an actual communicant as defined in rule 54(1); and

[F84 (c) he is of sixteen years or upwards.]

F81 (1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F81 (1B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) The qualification of a person to be F85 . . . [F86 appointed] a sidesman is that his name is entered on the roll of the parish.

F87 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F88 (3) No person shall be nominated for election under rule 9—

(a) to serve on either the parochial church council, or the deanery synod unless he has signified his consent to serve, or there is in the opinion of the meeting sufficient evidence of his willingness to serve;

(b) to serve on the parochial church council, if he has been disqualified [F89 under rule 46A];

(c) F90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]]

Textual Amendments

F80 Sch. 3 rule 10 (originally 9) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 11.

F81 Sch. 3 rule 10 paras. (1)(1A)(1B) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 11.

F82 Sch. 3 rule 10 para. (1) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 11.

F83 Words in Sch. 3 rule 10(1)(a) inserted (1.1.2004) by Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 2003 (No. 1), ss. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 2 (with s. 3(1)); 2003 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

F84 Sch. 3 rule 10(1)(c) substituted (1.8.2004) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 3, 19(3)(a)

F85 Word in Sch. 3 rule 10 para. (2) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 12.

F86 Word in Sch. 3 rule 10 para. (2) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 12.

F87 Sch. 3 rule 10 para. (3) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 12.

F88 Sch. 3 rule 10 para. (3) inserted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 13.

F89 Words in Sch. 3 rule 10(3)(b) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 2(a), 24(3)

F90 Sch. 3 rule 10(3)(c) omitted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 2(b), 24(3)

Conduct of Elections at Annual Meetings E

[F91 11] (1) F92 [F93 . . . [F94 Subject to the provisions of any resolution under rule 12]for the time being in force] this rule shall apply to all elections at annual meetings. E

(2) All candidates for election at an annual meeting must be nominated and seconded by persons entitled to attend the annual meeting, and in the case of parochial representatives of the laity, by persons whose names are entered on the roll of the parish. A candidate shall be nominated or seconded either before the meeting in writing or at the meeting.

(3) If the number of candidates nominated is not greater than the number of seats to be filled, the candidates nominated shall forthwith be declared elected.

(4) If more candidates are nominated than there are seats to be filled, the election shall take place at the annual meeting.

(5) No clerk in Holy Orders shall be entitled to vote in the election of any parochial representatives of the laity.

(6) Each person entitled to vote shall have as many votes as there are seats to be filled but may not give more than one vote to any one candidate.

[F95 (7) Votes may be given—

(a) by show of hands, or

(b) if one or more persons object—

(i) on voting papers signed by the voter on the reverse thereof; or

(ii) if at least one tenth of the persons present and voting at the meeting so request, on numbered voting papers.]

(8) [F96 (a)] Where owing to an equality of votes an election is not decided, the decision between the persons for whom the equal numbers of votes have been cast shall be taken by lot. E

[F97 (b) When an election or any stage of an election is recounted, either on appeal or at the request of the presiding officer or of a candidate, if the original count and the re-count are identical at the point when a lot must be drawn to resolve a tie, the original lot shall be used to make the determination.]

(9) The result of any election by an annual meeting shall be announced as soon as practicable by the person presiding over the election, and a notice of the result shall in every case be affixed on or near the principal door of every church in the parish and every building licensed for public worship in the parish, and shall bear the date on which the result is declared. The notice shall remain affixed for not less than fourteen days. [F98 Thereafter the secretary of the parochial church council shall hold a list of the names and addresses of the members of the council which shall be available for inspection on reasonable notice being given by any person who either is resident in the parish or has his name on the electoral roll, but the secretary shall not be bound to provide a copy of such list.]

[F99 (10) Names and addresses, of parochial representatives of the laity elected to the deanery synod shall be sent by the secretary of the parochial church council to the diocesan electoral registration officer appointed in accordance with rule [F100 29] and to the secretary of the deanery synod.]

[F101 (11) Where a vote is conducted in accordance with paragraph (7)(b)(ii) above, a record shall be made of the identity of each person to whom a numbered voting paper is issued and any such record, so long as it is retained, shall be kept separate from the voting papers.]

Textual Amendments

F91 Sch. 3 rule 11 (originally 10) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 14.

F92 Words in Sch. 3 rule 11 para. (1) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 14.

F93 Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 3(1).

F94 Words in Sch. 3 rule 11 para. (1) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 14.

F95 Sch. 3 rule 11(7) substituted (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 4(a), 19(3)(b)

F96 Sch. 3 rule 11 para. (8)(a) (originally (8)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 14.

F97 Sch. 3 rule para. (8)(b) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 14.

F98 Words added by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 1(1).

F99 Sch. 3 rule 10(10) substituted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 1(2).

F100 Words in Sch. 3 rule 11 para. (10) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F101 Sch. 3 rule 11(11) added (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 4(b), 19(3)(b)

[F102 Variation of method of election by scheme E

Textual Amendments

F102 Rule 10A and heading inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 3(1)

[F103 12] (1) The annual meeting may F104 . . . [F105 pass a resolution]which provides that the election of parochial representatives of the laity to the parochial church council or to the deanery synod or to both that council and that synod shall be conducted [F106 by the method of the single transferable vote] under rules, with the necessary modifications, made by the General Synod under rule [F107 39(7)] and for the time being in force [F108 , except that where the vote is conducted in accordance with Rule 11(7)(b)(ii), those rules shall have effect with the omission of any requirement that the voting paper be signed by the voter]. E

[F109 (2) The annual meeting may F104 . . . [F105 pass a resolution]which provides that any person entitled to attend the annual meeting and vote in the elections of parochial representatives of the laity to the parochial church council or to the deanery synod or to both that council and that synod may make application in the form set out in section 4A of Appendix I for a postal vote.

(3) Where applications for postal votes have been received by the date specified in the notice convening the annual meeting and where the number of candidates nominated for an election referred to in paragraph (2) of this rule is greater than the number of seats to be filled, the annual meeting shall appoint a presiding officer who shall not be a candidate in the election. Voting papers shall be distributed to each person present at the meeting entitled to vote and completed papers shall be returned into the custody of the presiding officer before the close of the meeting. The presiding officer shall ensure that persons who have made application for a postal vote shall be sent or have delivered a voting paper within 48 hours of the close of the meeting such paper to be returned to the presiding officer within such period of not less than 7 days nor more than 14 days from the date of the meeting as the presiding officer shall specify.]

F110 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F111 (4) A resolution passed under this rule shall be invalid unless approved by at least two thirds of the persons present and voting at the annual meeting nor shall it be operative until the next ensuing annual meeting. Such resolution may be rescinded by a subsequent resolution passed in the same manner.]]

Textual Amendments

F103 Sch. 3 rule para. 12 (originally 10A) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 15.

F104 Words in Sch. 3 rule 12 para. (1)(2) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 15.

F105 Words in Sch. 3 rule 12 para. (1)(2) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 15.

F106 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 6(1).

F107 Words in Sch. 3 rule 12 para. (1) (originally 10A(1)) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F108 Words in Sch. 3 rule 12(1) added (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 5, 19(3)(b)

F109 Sch. 3 rule 10A(2)(3) inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 1(3).

F110 Sch. 3 rule 12 para. (4) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 16.

F111 Sch. 3 rule 12 para. (4) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 16.

Conduct of Elections of Churchwardens E

[F112 13 E Elections of churchwardens shall be conducted, at a meeting of parishioners, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4 and 5 of the Churchwardens Measure 2001.]

Textual Amendments

F112 Sch. 3 rule 13 substituted (1.1.2010) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2009 (S.I. 2009/2129), paras. 1(3), 2

Parochial Church Council Members E

[F113 14] (1) [F114 Subject to the provisions of rule [F115 1(4)][F116 and paragraph (3) of this rule,]] the parochial church council shall consist of:— E

(a) all clerks in Holy Orders beneficed in or licensed to the parish, . . . F117

[F118 (aa) any clerk in Holy Orders who is duly authorised to act as chairman of meetings of the council by the bishop in accordance with paragraph 5(b) of Appendix II to these rules;]

[F119 (b) any deaconess or lay worker licensed to the parish;]

[F120 [F121 (c)] in the case of a parish in the area of a benefice for which a team ministry is established, all the members of the team of that ministry;]

[F121 (d)] the churchwardens [F122 and any deputy churchwardens who are ex officio members of the parochial church council by virtue of a scheme made under rule 18(4) of these rules,] being F123 . . . [F124 actual communicants] whose names are on the roll of the parish;

F125 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F126 [F121 (e)] such, if any, of the readers who are licensed to that parish or licensed to an area which includes that parish and whose names are on the roll of the parish as the annual meeting may determine.]

[F121 (f)] all persons whose names are on the roll of the parish and who are lay members of any deanery synod, diocesan synod or the General Synod;

[(g)] [F127 six representatives of the laity where there are not more than fifty names on the electoral roll, nine such representatives where there are not more than one hundred names on the roll and, where there are more than one hundred names on the roll, a further three such representatives for every one hundred (or part thereof) names on the roll up to a maximum of fifteen such members, and so that the aforesaid numbers “six”, “nine”, “three” and “fifteen”] may be altered from time to time by a resolution passed at any annual meeting, but such resolution shall not take effect before the next ensuing annual meeting; and

[F121 (h)] co-opted members, if the parochial church council so decides, not exceeding in number one-fifth of the representatives of the laity elected under the last preceding sub-paragraph of this paragraph [F128 or two persons whichever shall be the greater,], and being either clerks in Holy Orders or F129 . . . [F130 actual lay communicants of sixteen] years of age or upwards. The term of office of a co-opted member shall be until the conclusion of the next annual meeting; but without prejudice to his being co-opted on subsequent occasions for a similar term, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of these rules.

[F131 [F132 (2)] Any person chosen, appointed or elected as a churchwarden of a parish, being an F133 . . . [F134 actual communicant]whose name is on the roll of the parish, shall as from the date on which the choice, appointment or election, as the case may be, is made be a member of the parochial church council of the parish by virtue of this paragraph until he is admitted to the office of churchwarden, and he shall thereafter continue to be a member of that council by virtue of [F135 paragraph 1(d)] of this rule unless and until he ceases to be qualified for membership by virtue of that sub-paragraph.]

[F136 (3)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F137 (3) A person shall cease to be a member of a parochial church council—

(a) if his name is removed from the roll of the parish under rule 1, on the date on which his name is removed;

(b) if he refuses or fails to apply for enrolment when a new roll is being prepared, on the date on which the new roll is completed;

[F138 (c) if he is or becomes disqualified under rule 46A, from the date on which the disqualification takes effect];

but, so far as the provisions of (a) and (b) above are concerned, shall be without prejudice to any right which that council may have to make that person a co-opted member.]

[F132 (4)] Where a group ministry is established the incumbents of all benefices in the group [F139 every priest in charge of any benefice therein and where the area of the group ministry includes the area of a benefice for which a team ministry is established, all the vicars in that ministry] shall be entitled to attend meetings of the parochial church councils of all the parishes in the area for which the group ministry is established. They shall be entitled to receive documents circulated to members of councils of which they are not themselves members and to speak but not to vote at meetings of such councils.

[F140 [F132 (5)] Where two or more benefices are held in plurality and a team ministry is, or is to be, established for the area of one of those benefices, then, if a pastoral scheme provides for extending the operation of the team ministry, so long as the plurality continues, to the area of any other benefice so held, paragraphs [F141 1(c) and (4)]of this rule shall have effect as if the references to the area of the benefice were references to the combined area of the benefices concerned.]

Textual Amendments

F113 Sch. 3 rule 14 (originally 12) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 17.

F114 Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 4(1).

F115 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14(1) (originally 12(1)) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F116 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14 para. (1) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 17(a).

F117 Words repealed by S.I. 1981/959, para. 6(1).

F118 Sch. 3 rule 14(1)(aa) inserted (1.1.2004) by Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 2003 (No. 1), ss. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 3; 2003 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

F119 Rule 12(1)(b) substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 8.

F120 Rule 12(1)(bb) inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 6(1).

F121 Sch. 3 rule 14 para. (1)(c)-(h) (originally (1)(bb)-(g)) relettered (1.1.1996) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 5.

F122 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14(1)(d) inserted (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 3(a), 24(3)

F123 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14(1)(c) (originally 12(1)(c)) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para.17(b).

F124 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14(1)(c) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 17(b).

F125 Sch. 3 rule 14 para. (1)(d) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 18(a).

F126 Sch. 3 rule 14 para. (1)(d) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 18(a).

F127 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14(1)(g) substituted (1.1.2004) by Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 2003 (No. 1), ss. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 4 (with s. 3(2)); 2003 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

F128 Words inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 2.

F129 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14 para. (1)(g) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 18(b).

F130 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14 para. (1)(g) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, 18(b).

F131 Rule 12(1A) inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 4(2).

F132 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14 paras. (2)-(5) (originally (1A)-(4)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 18(b).

F133 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14 para. (2) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 18(b).

F134 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14 para. (2) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 18(b).

F135 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14(1A) (originally 12(1A)) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F136 Sch. 3 rule 14 para. (2) renumbered (3) and omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, paras. 18, 19.

F137 Sch. 3 rule 14 para. (3) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 19.

F138 Sch. 3 rule 14(3)(c) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 3(b), 24(3)

F139 Words inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 6(2).

F140 Rule 12(4) inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 6(3).

F141 Words in Sch. 3 rule 14(4) (originally 12(4)) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

General Provisions relating to Parochial Church Councils E

[F142 15] E The provisions in Appendix II to these rules shall have effect with respect to parochial church councils, and with respect to the officers, the meetings and the proceedings thereof:

Provided that a parochial church council may, with the consent of the diocesan synod, vary the said provisions, in their application to the council.

Textual Amendments

F142 Sch. 3 rule 15 (originally 13) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 20.

Term of office E

[F143 16 ( 1) Subject to the following provisions of these rules, representatives of the laity serving on the parochial church council by virtue of rule 14(1)(g) shall hold office from the conclusion of the annual meeting at which they were elected until the conclusion of the third annual meeting thereafter, one third retiring and being elected each year, but, subject to rule 17, shall on retirement be eligible for re-election. E

(2) Where a representative of the laity resigns or otherwise fails to serve for his full term of office the casual vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of his term of office in accordance with rule 48(1).

(3) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this rule an annual meeting may decide that the representatives of the laity serving by virtue of rule 14(1)(g) shall retire from office at the conclusion of the annual meeting next following their election, but any such decision shall not affect the terms of office as members of the parochial church council of those due to retire from office at the conclusion of an annual meeting held after that at which the decision was taken.

(4) A decision taken under paragraph (3) above shall be reviewed by the annual meeting at least once every six years; and on any such review the annual meeting may revoke the decision, in which case paragraph (1) above shall apply unless and until a further decision is taken under paragraph (3).

(5) Persons who are members of a parochial church council by virtue of their election as lay members of a deanery synod shall hold office as members of the council for a term beginning with the date of their election and ending with the 31st May next following the election of their successors.

(6) At an annual meeting at which all the representatives of the laity serving by virtue of rule 14(1)(g) are elected to hold office in accordance with paragraph (1) above, lots shall be drawn to decide which third of the representatives is to retire in the first year following that in which the meeting is held, which third is to retire in the second year and which third is to retire in the third year.]

Textual Amendments

F143 Sch. 3 rule 16 substituted (1.1.2004) by Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 2003 (No. 1), ss. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 5; 2003 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

Limitation on years of service E

[F144 17] E The annual meeting may decide that no representative of the laity [F145 being a member of the parochial church council by virtue of rule 14(1)(g) may hold office after the date of that meeting] for more than a specified number of years continuously and may also decide that after a specified interval a person who has ceased to be eligible by reason of such decision may again stand for election as a representative of the laity on the council.

Textual Amendments

F144 Sch. 3 rule 17 (originally 15) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 20.

F145 Words in Sch. 3 rule 17 substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 5, 24(3)

Parishes with more than one Place of Worship E

[F146 18] (1) In any parish where there are two or more churches or [F147 places of worship] the annual meeting may make a scheme, [F148 which makes provision for either or both of the following purposes, that is to say]:— E

(a) for the election of representatives of the laity to the parochial church council in such manner as to ensure due representation of the congregation of each such church or [F149 place][F150 and]

[F151 (b) for the election by the annual meeting for any district in the parish in which a church or place of worship is situated of a district church council for that district]

(2) A scheme for the election of any district church council or councils under the preceding paragraph shall provide for the election of representatives of the laity on to such council, for ex-officio members and for the chairmanship of such council and shall contain such other provisions as to membership and procedure as shall be considered appropriate by the annual meeting.

F152 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F153 (3) Such a scheme may also provide for the delegation by the parochial church council to a district church council of such functions as may be specified in the scheme and, subject to the provisions of the scheme, the parochial church council may by resolution also delegate to a district church council such of its functions as it shall think fit but not including (in either case) the functions of the parochial church council—

(i) in respect of producing the financial statement of the parish F154 ...;

(ii) as an interested party under Part I of the Pastoral Measure 1983;

(iii) under Part II of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986;

F155 (iv)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) A scheme may provide for the election or choice of one or two deputy churchwardens . . . F156 , and for the delegation to him or [F157 them of such functions of the churchwardens relating to [F158 any church or place] as the scheme may specify, and the churchwardens may, subject to the scheme, delegate such of their said functions as they think fit to the deputy churchwarden or churchwardens. [F159 The scheme may also provide for the deputy churchwardens to be ex officio members of the parochial church council.]

[F160 (5) No scheme under this rule shall be valid unless approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at the annual meeting nor shall the scheme provide for it to come into operation until such date as the bishop’s council and standing committee may determine being a date not later than the next ensuing annual meeting. Every such scheme shall on its approval be communicated to the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocesan synod which may determine—

(a) that the scheme shall come into operation; or

(b) that the scheme shall not come into operation; or

(c) that the scheme shall come into operation with specified amendments, if such amendments are approved by an annual or special parochial church meeting and the scheme as amended is approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at that meeting.]

F161 [F162 (5A)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F163 [F164 (6)] A special parochial church meeting of a parish to which this rule applies may be convened for the purpose of deciding whether to make such a scheme F165 ..., and where such a meeting is convened the foregoing provisions shall have effect with the substitution for references to the annual meeting of references to the special meeting.]

[F166 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F167

[F164 (7)] Where a pastoral scheme establishing a team minstry, or an instrument of the bishop made by virtue of that scheme, makes, in relation to a parish in the area of the benefice for which the team ministry is established, any provision which may be made by a scheme under this rule, no scheme under this rule relating to that parish shall provide for the scheme to come into operation until on or after the date on which the provisions in question of the pastoral scheme or of the instrument, as the case may be, cease to have effect.

[F164 (8)] A scheme under this rule may by [F168 amended] or revoked by a subsequent scheme [F169 passed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (4) of this rule].

[F164 (9)] Every member of the team of a team ministry shall have a right to attend the meetings of any district church council elected for any district in a parish in the area of the benefice for which the team ministry is established.

[F164 (10)] This rule shall be without prejudice to the appointment, in parishes with more than one parish church, of two church-wardens for each church under section [F170 27(5) of the M4 Pastoral Measure 1983].

[F164 (11)] In this rule “place of worship” means a building or part of a building licensed for public worship.]

Textual Amendments

F146 Sch. 3 rule 18 (originally 16) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 20.

F147 Words substituted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 7(1).

F148 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 10(a).

F149 Word substituted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 7(1).

F150 Word substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 10(b).

F151 Rule 16(1)(b) substituted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 7(2).

F152 Sch. 3 Rule 18 para. (3) omitted (1.3.1998) by virtue of S.I. 1998/319, arts. 1, 5(3).

F153 Sch. 3 Rule 18 para. (3) inserted (1.3.1998) by S.I. 1998/319, art. 1.

F154 Words in Sch. 3 rule 18(3)(i) omitted (1.1.2004) by virtue of Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 2003 (No. 1), ss. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 6(a); 2003 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

F155 Sch. 3 rule 18(3)(iv) repealed (17.11.2014) by Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure 2014 (No. 2), s. 4(2), Sch.; 2014 No. 5, art. 2

F156 Words repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(3).

F157 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(2).

F158 Words substituted by S.I. by virtue of S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(4).

F159 Words in Sch. 3 rule 18(4) added (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 6(a), 24(3)

F160 Rule 16(5) substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(5).

F161 Sch. 3 rule 18(5A) omitted (1.1.2004) by virtue of Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 2003 (No. 1), ss. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 6(b); 2003 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

F162 Sch. 3 Rule 18 para. (5A) inserted (1.3.1998) by S.I. 1998/319, art. 2.

F163 Sch. 3 rule 16(5A) inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 3.

F164 Sch. 3 rule 18 paras. (6)-(11) formerly (5A)-(10) (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 20(a)

F165 Words in Sch. 3 rule 18(6) omitted (1.1.2004) by virtue of Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 2003 (No. 1), ss. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 6(c); 2003 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

F166 Rule 16(6)–(11) substituted for rule 16(6) by S.I. 1981/959, para. 7(5).

F167 Sch. 3 rule 16(6) repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(6).

F168 Word in Sch. 3 rule 18(8) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 6(b), 24(3)

F169 Words in Sch. 3 rule 18(8) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 6(b), 24(3)

F170 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(7).

Marginal Citations

M4 1983 No. 1 (21:4).

Joint Parochial Church Councils E

[F171 [F172 19] (1) Where there are two or more parishes within the area of a single benefice or two or more benefices are held in plurality, the annual meetings of all or some of the parishes in the benefice or benefices may make a joint scheme to provide— E

[F173 (a) for establishing a joint parochial church council (in this rule referred to as ‘the joint council’) comprising—

(i) the ministers of those parishes; and

(ii) lay representatives elected, chosen or appointed in such manner and in such numbers, from among the lay members of the parochial church councils of each of those parishes, as may be specified in the scheme.]

(b) for the chairmanship, meetings and procedure of the joint council;

(c) [F174 subject to paragraph 20 of Schedule 2 to the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986] for the delegation by the parochial church council of each such parish to the joint council of such of its functions, other than its functions as an interested party under Part I of the Pastoral Measure [F175 1983]F176 ..., as may be so specified.

(2) Subject to the scheme and to any pastoral scheme or order made under paragraph 13 of Schedule 3 to the said Measure [F177 and to paragraph 20 of Schedule 2 to the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986], the parochial church council of any such parish may delegate to the joint council such of its functions, other than its functions as an interested party under the said Part 1 F178 ..., as it thinks fit.

(3) The joint council shall meet from time to time for the purpose of consulting together on matters of common concern.

[F179 (4) No scheme under this rule shall be valid unless approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at the annual meeting nor shall the scheme provide for it to come into operation until such date as the bishop’s council and standing committee may determine being a date not later than the next ensuing annual meeting. Every such scheme shall on its approval be communicated to the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocesan synod which may determine—

(a) that the scheme shall come into operation; or

(b) that the scheme shall not come into operation; or

(c) that the scheme shall come into operation with specified amendments, if such amendments are approved by an annual or special parochial church meeting and the scheme as amended is approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at the meeting.]

(5)(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F180

[F181 (5)] A special parochial church meeting of a parish to which this rule applies may be convened for the purpose of deciding whether to join in making such a scheme, and where such a meeting is convened the foregoing provisions shall have effect with the substitution for references to the annual meeting of references to the special meeting.

[F181 (6)] Where a pastoral scheme or order, or any instrument of the bishop made by virtue of such a scheme or order, establishes a joint parochial church council for two or more of the parishes in a single benefice or two or more of the parishes in benefices held in plurality, no scheme under this rule relating to those parishes shall provide for the scheme to come into operation until on or after the date on which the provisions of the pastoral scheme, pastoral order or instrument, as the case may be, establishing the joint parochial church council cease to have effect.

[F181 (7)] Where the provisions of a pastoral scheme or order for the holding of benefices in plurality are terminated under section [F182 18(2) of the Pastoral Measure 1983], any provision of a scheme under this rule establishing a joint parochial church council for all or some of the parishes of those benefices and the other provisions thereof affecting that council shall cease to have effect on the date on which the first mentioned provisions cease to have effect.

[F181 (8)] A scheme under this rule may be [F183 amended] or revoked by a subsequent scheme [F184 passed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (4) of this rule] to be.]

Textual Amendments

F171 Rule 17 substituted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 8.

F172 Sch. 3 rule 19 (originally 17) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 20.

F173 Sch. 3 rule 19(1)(a) substituted (1.1.2010) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2009 (S.I. 2009/2129), paras. 1(3), 3(1)

F174 Words inserted by Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 (No. 3, SIF 21:4), s. 41(1), Sch. 4 para. 13(b)(i).

F175 Word substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 10(1).

F176 Words in Sch. 3 rule 19(1)(c) repealed (17.11.2014) by Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure 2014 (No. 2), s. 4(2), Sch.; 2014 No. 5, art. 2

F177 Words inserted by Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 (No. 3, SIF 21:4), s. 41(1), Sch. 4 para. 13(b)(ii).

F178 Words in Sch. 3 rule 19(2) repealed (17.11.2014) by Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure 2014 (No. 2), s. 4(2), Sch.; 2014 No. 5, art. 2

F179 Rule 17(4) substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 10(2).

F180 Rule 17(5)(6) (as substituted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 8) repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para 10(3).

F181 Rule 17(5) to (8) (originally (7) to (10)) renumbered by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 10(3).

F182 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 10(4).

F183 Word in Sch. 3 rule 19(8) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 7(b), 24(3)

F184 Words in Sch. 3 rule 19(8) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 7(b), 24(3)

[F185 Team councils E

Textual Amendments

F185 Rules 17A, 17B inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 9(1)

[F186 20] (1) Where a team ministry is established for the area of a benefice which comprises more than one parish the annual meetings of the parishes in that area may make a joint scheme to provide— E

F187 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F188 (a) for establishing a team council comprising—

(i) the team rector;

(ii) the members of the team other than the team rector;

(iii) every assistant curate, deaconess and lay worker licensed to a parish within the team who are not members of the team;

[F189 (iv) lay representatives elected, chosen or appointed in such manner and in such numbers, by and from among the lay members of the parochial church councils of each of the parishes in the area, as may be specified in the scheme.]

Provided that where the total number of persons in sub-paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above would otherwise number more than one quarter of the total membership of the team council they may, and where those persons number more than one third they shall select among themselves which members shall be members of the team council so that the total number of those persons shall not exceed more than one third of the council.]

(b) for the chairmanship, meetings and procedure of the team council; and

(c) [F190 subject to paragraph 19 of Schedule 2 to the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986] for the delegation by the parochial church council of each such parish to the team council of such functions, other than its functions as an interested party under Part I of the Pastoral Measure [F191 1983][F192 as may be so specified][F193 F194 ..., as may be so specified]

(2) Subject to the scheme and to any pastoral scheme relating to the team council made under [F195 paragraph 4(3)] of Schedule 3 to the said Measure [F196 and to paragraph 19 of Schedule 2 to the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986], the parochial church council of any such parish may delegate to the team council such of its functions, other than its functions as an interested party under the said Part I F197 ..., as it thinks fit.

(3) The team council shall meet from time to time for the purpose of consulting together on matters of common concern.

[F198 (4) No scheme under this rule shall be valid unless approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at the annual meeting nor shall the scheme provide for it to come into operation until such date as the bishop’s council and standing committee may determine being a date not later than the next ensuing annual meeting. Every such scheme shall on its approval be communicated to the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocesan synod which may determine—

(a) that the scheme shall come into operation; or

(b) that the scheme shall not come into operation; or

(c) that the scheme shall come into operation with specified amendments, if such amendments are approved by an annual or special parochial church meeting and the scheme as amended is approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at that meeting.]

(5)(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F199

[F200 (5)] A special parochial church meeting of a parish to which this rule applies may be convened for the purpose of deciding whether to join in making such a scheme, and where such a meeting is convened the foregoing provisions shall have effect with the substitution for references to the annual meeting of references to the special meeting.

[F200 (6)] Where a pastoral scheme establishing a team ministry, or an instrument of the bishop made by virtue of that scheme, establishes a team counil for that ministry, no scheme under this rule relating to that ministry shall provide for the scheme to come into operation until on or after the date on which the provisions of the pastoral scheme or of the instrument, as the case may be, establishing the team council to have effect.

[F200 (7)] A scheme under this rule may be [F201 amended] or revoked by a subsequent scheme [F202 passed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (4) of this rule] to be.]

Textual Amendments

F186 Sch. 3 rule 20 (originally 17A) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 20.

F187 Sch. 3 rule 20 para. 1(a) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 20(b).

F188 Sch. 3 rule 20 para. 1(a) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 20(b).

F189 Sch. 3 rule 20(1)(a)(iv) substituted (1.1.2010) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2009 (S.I. 2009/2129), paras. 1(3), 3(2)

F190 Words inserted by Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 (No. 3, SIF 21:4), s. 41(1), Sch. 4 para. 13(c)(i).

F191 Word substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 11(1).

F192 Words inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 4(1).

F193 Words in Sch. 3 rule 17A(1)(c) inserted (1.2.1994) by 1993 Measure No. 2, s. 10, Sch. 3 para. 3(c)(i); Instrument dated 31.1.1994 made by Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

F194 Words in Sch. 3 rule 20(1)(c) repealed (17.11.2014) by Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure 2014 (No. 2), s. 4(2), Sch.; 2014 No. 5, art. 2

F195 Words substituted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 4(2).

F196 Words inserted by Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 (No. 3, SIF 21:4), s. 41(1), Sch. 4 para. 13(c)(ii).

F197 Words in Sch. 3 rule 20(2) repealed (17.11.2014) by Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure 2014 (No. 2), s. 4(2), Sch.; 2014 No. 5, art. 2

F198 Rule 17A(4) substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 11(2).

F199 Rule 17A(5)(6) (as inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 9(1)) repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 11(3).

F200 Rule 17A(5) to (7) (originally (7) to (9)) renumbered by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 11(3).

F201 Word in Sch. 3 rule 20(7) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 8, 24(3)

F202 Words in Sch. 3 rule 20(7) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 8, 24(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 In rule 17A(2) as originally passed the reference to the said measure was a reference to the Pastoral Measure 1968.

[F203 Group councils E

Textual Amendments

F203 Crossheading and rules 17A, 17B inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 9(1)

[F204 21] (1) Where a pastoral scheme establishes a group ministry, the annual meetings of the parishes in the area for which the group ministry is established may make a joint scheme to provide— E

(a) for establishing a group council comprising—

(i) all the members of the group ministry,

(ii) every assistant curate, deaconess, and lay worker licensed to any such parish, and

[F205 (iii) lay representatives elected, chosen or appointed in such manner and in such numbers, by and from among the lay members of the parochial church councils of each of the parishes in the area for which the group ministry is established, as may be specified in the scheme.]

(b) for the chairmanship, meetings and procedure of the group council; and

(c) for the delegation by the parochial church council of each such parish to the group council of such functions, other than its functions as an interested party under Part I of the Pastoral Measure [F206 1983][F207 and its functions under Part II of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986]F208 ... as may be so specified.

(2) If the area of a group ministry includes the area of a benefice for which a team ministry is established, a scheme under this rule shall provide for the vicars in that ministry, as well as the rector, and all the other members of the team to be members of the group council.

(3) Paragraphs (2) to [F209 (7)] of rule [F210 20] shall apply in relation to a scheme under this rule as they apply in relation to a scheme under this rule as they apply in relation to a scheme under that rule with the modification that for the references toa team ministry and a team council there shall be substituted references to a group ministry and a group council respectively [F211 except that the functions of a parochial church council under Part II of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 F212 ... may not be delegated to a group council].]

Textual Amendments

F204 Sch. 3 rule 21 (originally 17B) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 21

F205 Sch. 3 rule 21(1)(a)(iii) substituted (1.1.2010) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2009 (S.I. 2009/2129), paras. 1(3), 3(3)

F206 Word substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 12(1).

F207 Words inserted by Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 (No. 3, SIF 21:4), s. 41(1), Sch. 4 para. 13(d)(i).

F208 Words in Sch. 3 rule 21(1)(c) repealed (17.11.2014) by Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure 2014 (No. 2), s. 4(2), Sch.; 2014 No. 5, art. 2

F209 Word substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 12(2).

F210 Words in Sch. 3 rule 17B para. (3) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F211 Words added by Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 (No. 3, SIF 21:4), s. 41(1), Sch. 4 para. 13(d)(ii).

F212 Words in Sch. 3 rule 21(3) repealed (17.11.2014) by Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure 2014 (No. 2), s. 4(2), Sch.; 2014 No. 5, art. 2

[F213 Special Meetings E

Textual Amendments

F213 Sch. 3 rules 18 and 18A substituted for rule 18 by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 5

[F214 22] (1) In addition to the annual meeting the minister of a parish may convene a special parochial church meeting, and he shall do so on a written representation by not less than one-third of the lay members of the parochial church council; and the provisions of these rules relating to the convening and conduct of the annual meeting shall, with the necessary modifications, apply to a special parochial church meeting. E

(2) All lay persons whose names are entered on the roll of the parish on the day which is twenty-one clear days before the date on which any special parochial church meeting is to be held shall be entitled to attend the meeting and to take part in its proceedings, and no other lay person shall be so entitled.

(3) A clerk in Holy Orders shall be entitled to attend any such meeting and to take part in its proceedings if by virtue of rule [F215 6](3), (4) or (5) he would have been entitled to attend the annual meeting of the parish had it been held on the same date, and no other such clerk shall be so entitled.]

Textual Amendments

F214 Sch. 3 rule 22 (originally 18) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 21

F215 Words in Sch. 3 rule 6(3) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

Extraordinary Meetings E

[F216 23] (1) On a written representation made to the archdeacon by not less than one-third of the lay members of the parochial church council, or by one tenth of the persons whose names are on the roll of the parish, and deemed by the archdeacon to have been made with sufficient cause, the archdeacon shall convene an extraordinary meeting of the parochial church council or an extraordinary parochial church meeting, and shall either take the chair himself or shall appoint a chairman to preside. The chairman, not being otherwise entitled to attend such meeting, shall not be entitled to vote upon any resolution before the meeting. E

(2) In any case where the archdeacon is himself the minister, any representation under paragraph (1) of this rule shall be made to the bishop, and in any such case the references to the archdeacon in paragraph (1) of this rule shall be construed as references to the bishop, or to a person appointed by him to act on his behalf.

(3) Paragraphs (2) and (3) of rule [F217 22] shall apply in relation to an extraordinary parochial church meeting under this rule as they apply in relation to a special parochial church meeting under that rule with the modification that for the word “special” in [F217 paragraph (2) of that rule] there shall be substituted the word “extraordinary”.]

Textual Amendments

F216 Sch. 3 rule 23 (originally 18A) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 21.

F217 Words in Sch. 3 rule 18A(3) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

Part III E Deanery Synods

Membership E

[F218 24] (1) A deanery synod shall consist of a house of clergy and a house of laity. E

(2) The members of the house of clergy of a deanery synod shall consist of—

(a) the clerks in Holy Orders beneficed in or licensed to any parish in the deanery;

(b) any clerks in Holy Orders licensed to institutions in the deanery under the M5 Extra-Parochial Ministry Measure 1967;

(c) any clerical members of the General Synod or diocesan synod resident in the deanery;

F219 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F219 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F220 (d) such other clerks in Holy Orders holding the bishop’s licence to work throughout the diocese or in more than one deanery and resident in the deanery subject to any direction which may be given by the members of the House of Clergy of the bishop’s council that, having regard to the number of parochial and non-parochial clergy in the deanery, such clerk shall have membership of a specified deanery synod other than the deanery where he resides provided that no person shall thereby be a member of more than one deanery synod in the diocese.

[F221 (e) one or more clerks in Holy Orders holding permission to officiate in the diocese who are resident in the deanery or who have habitually attended public worship in a parish in the deanery during the preceding six months. One clerk may be elected or chosen for every ten such clerks or part thereof, elected or chosen in such manner as may be approved by the bishop by and from such clerks]

[F222 [F223 (3)] Where an extra parochial place is not in a deanery it shall be deemed for the pruposes of these rules to belong to the deanery which it abuts and if there is any doubt in the matter a determination shall be made by the bishop’s council and standing committee.]

[F224 [F223 (4)] For the purposes of [F225 paragraph [F226 (2)(e) of this rule]] the relevant date shall be the 31st December in the year immdiately preceding any eleciton of the parochial representatives of the laity, and as soon as possible after that date the rural dean of the deanery shall inform the bishop of the number of clerks in Holy Orders who are qualified for membership of the deanery synod by virtue of that sub-paragraph.]

[F227 [F223 (5)] Not later than 1st July following the election of parochial representatives of the laity to the deanery synod the secretary of the said synod shall send to the diocesan electoral registration officer appointed in accordance with rule [F228 29] a list of the names and addresses of the members of the house of clergy, specifying the class of membership, and shall keep the said officer informed of subsequent changes in membership.]

[F223 (6)] [F229 Subject to the provisions of rule [F230 1(4)]] the members of the house of laity of a deanery synod shall consist of [F231 the following persons, that is to say]—

(a) the parochial representatives elected to the synod by the annual meetings of the parishes of the deanery;

(b) any lay members of the General Synod [F232 or a diocesan synod whose names are entered on the roll of any parish in the deanery];

[F233 (c) if in the opinion of the bishop of the diocese any community of persons in the deanery who are in the spiritual care of a chaplain licensed by the bishop should be represented in that house, one lay person, being an actual communicant member of the Church of England of [F234 sixteen] years or upwards, chosen in such manner as may be approved by the bishop by and from among the members of that community]

F235 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F236 (d) the deaconesses and lay workers licensed by the bishop to work in any part of the deanery;

(e) such other deaconesses or lay workers holding the bishop’s licence to work throughout the diocese or in more than one deanery and resident in the deanery subject to any direction which may be given by the members of the House of Laity of the bishop’s council that, having regard to the number of deaconesses or lay workers in the deanery, such person shall have membership of a specified deanery synod other than the deanery where they reside provided that no person shall thereby be a member of more than one deanery synod in the diocese.]

[F223 (7)] The house of clergy and house of laity of a deanery synod may co-opt additional members of their respective houses, being clerks in Holy Orders or, as the case may be, lay persons who shall be actual communicant members of the Church of England of [F237 [F238 sixteen] years or upwards]:

[F239 Provided that the number of members co-opted by either house shall not exceed five per cent. of the total number of members of that house or three, whichever is the greater.]

[F240 The names and addresses of co-opted members shall be sent by the secretary of the deanery synod to the diocesan electoral registration officer appointed in accordance with rule [F241 29].]]

Textual Amendments

F218 Sch. 3 rule 24 (originally 19) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 21.

F219 Sch. 3 rule 24(2)(d)(e) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 21.

F220 Sch. 3 rule 24(2)(d)(e) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 21.

F221 Sch. 3 rule 24(2)(e) substituted (1.8.2004) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 6(a), 19(3)(a) (with para. 19(4)(a))

F222 Rule 19(2A) inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 13(1).

F223 Sch. 3 rule 24(3)-(7) (originally (2A)-(4)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 21.

F224 Rule 19(2A) inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 5(2); renumbered 19(2B) by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 13(2).

F225 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 13(2).

F226 Words in Sch. 3 rule 24(4) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F227 Sch. 3 rule 19(2C) inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 6(1).

F228 Words in Sch. 3 rule 24(5) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F229 Words inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 11(1)(a).

F230 Words in Sch. 3 rule 24(6) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F231 Words inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 11(1)(b).

F232 Words in Sch. 3 rule 24(6)(b) substituted (1.9.2008) by Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 (No. 1), ss. 63(6), 66(2); 2008 No. 1, Instrument made by Archbishops

F233 Rule 19(3)(c) inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 11(1)(c).

F234 Word in Sch. 3 rule 24(6)(c) substituted (1.8.2004) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 6(b), 19(3)(a)

F235 Sch. 3 rule 19(3)(d) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 21.

F236 Sch. 3 rule 24(6)(d)(e) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para.22

F237 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 11(2).

F238 Word in Sch. 3 rule 24(7) substituted (1.8.2004) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 6(b), 19(3)(a)

F239 Rule 19(4) proviso substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 11(2).

F240 Words inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 6(2).

F241 Words in Sch. 3 rule 24(7) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

Marginal Citations

M5 1967 No. 2.

Election and choice of members E

[F242 25] (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F243 The parochial representatives of the laity elected by annual meetings shall be so elected every three years, and shall hold office for a term of three years beginning with the 1st June next following their election. E

(2) The numbers to be so elected from the several parishes shall be determined by resolution of the diocesan synod not later than the [F244 31st December] in the year preceding any such elections, and those numbers [F245 shall be calculated by reference] to the numbers of names on the rolls of the parishes as certified . . . F246 under rule 4 [F247 or the number of parish churches or districts in each parish or a combination of both such methods, in each case in such manner as the diocesan synod shall determine] F248 . . . [F249 provided that such resolution shall not make it possible for a parish with fewer than 26 names on the roll to have more than one representative.]

(3) Not later than the 31st December in the year preceding any such elections, the secretary of the diocesan synod shall certify to the secretary of each parochial church council the number of such representatives to be elected at the annual meeting of the parish F250 . . . and shall send to the secretary of each deanery synod copies of the certificates and information relating to the parishes of the deanery.

[F251 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F243 Any person to be chosen as mentioned in rule [F252 [F253 24(2)(e)] or][F253 24(6)(c)] shall be so chosen every three years and shall hold office for a term of three years beginning with the 1st June next following the date on which he is so chosen.]

[F254 (5)] F255 . . . F256 [A direction by the appropriate members of the Bishop’s Council making provision under rule 24(2)(d) or 24(6)(e)]for the membership of the clerks in Holy Orders or the deaconesses or lay workers therein mentioned may provide for the choice by a class of such persons of some of their number to be members, and for the term of office of persons so chosen.

[F257 (6)] The diocesan synod shall exercise their powers under this and the last preceding rule so as to secure that the total number of members of any deanery synod in the diocese shall not be more than 150 and, so far as practicable, shall not be less than 50:

Provided that the maximum number of 150 may be exceeded for the purpose of securing that the house of laity is not less in number than the house of clergy.

[F258 For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the number 150 specified in this paragraph includes the maximum number of members who may be co-opted by each house.]

Textual Amendments

F242 Sch. 3 rule 25 (originally 20) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 23

F243 Words repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 14(1)

F244 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 12(1)

F245 Words in Sch. 3 rule 25(2) substituted (1.8.2004) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 7, 19(3)(a)

F246 Words repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 12(1)

F247 Words in Sch. 3 rule 25(2) inserted (1.8.2004) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 7, 19(3)(a)

F248 Words in Sch. 3 rule 25 para. (2) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 23(a).

F249 Words in Sch. 3 rule 25 para. (2) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 23(a).

F250 Words in Sch. 3 rule 25 para. (3) omitted (1.1.1996) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 6.

F251 Rule 20(4) added by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 12(2)

F252 Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 6

F253 Words in Sch. 3 rule 20(4) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F254 Rule 20(5) (originally 20(4)) re-numbered by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 12(3)

F255 Words in Sch. 3 rule 25 para. (5) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 23(b).

F256 Words in Sch. 3 rule 25 para. (5) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 23(b).

F257 Rule 20(6) (originally 20(5)) re-numbered by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 12(4)

F258 Para. added by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 12(4)

20A E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F259

Textual Amendments

F259 Sch. 3 rule 20A repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 14(2)

Variation of Membership of Deanery Synods by Scheme E

[F260 26] (1) If it appears to the diocesan synod that the preceding rules in this Part relating to the membership of deanery synods ought to be varied to meet the special circumstances of the diocese or the deaneries and to secure better representation of clergy or laity or both on the deanery synods, they may make a scheme for such variation, and, if the scheme comes into operation under this rule, the said rules shall have effect subject to the scheme: E

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F261

(2) Copies of every such scheme must be sent to members of the diocesan synod at least fourteen days before the session at which they are considered, and every such scheme shall require the assent of the [F262 house of bishops and of a two-thirds majority of the members of each of the other houses] of the synod present and voting.

[F263 (3) A scheme approved by the diocesan synod as aforesaid shall be laid before the General Synod.

(4) If a member of the General Synod gives notice in accordance with the Standing Orders of that Synod that he wishes such a scheme to be debated, the scheme shall not come into operation unless it is approved by the General Synod.

(5) If no notice is given under paragraph (4) of this rule with respect to any such scheme, or such notice having been given, the scheme is approved by the General Synod, it shall come into operation on the day after the end of the group of sessions during which it was laid before, or approved by, the General Synod or on such date as may be specified in the scheme.]

Textual Amendments

F260 Sch. 3 rule 26 (originally 21) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 24.

F261 Rule 21(1) proviso repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 12(13).

F262 Words substituted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 7.

F263 Rule 21(3)(4)(5) substiuted for rule 21(3) by S.I. 1980/178, para. 7.

Representation of Cathedral Clergy and Laity E

[F264 27] (1) Any diocesan synod may provide by scheme for the representation on such deanery synod as may be determined by or under the scheme— E

(a) of the dean or provost, the residentiary canons and other ministers of the cathedral church of the diocese, or any of them; and

[F265 (b) in the case of a cathedral church which is not a parish church, of lay persons who are on the roll of members of the cathedral community (hereinafter in these rules referred to as “the community roll”) required to be kept under section 9 of the Cathedrals Measure 1999 or, in the case of Westminster Abbey, St George’s Chapel, Windsor and the cathedral church of Christ in Oxford, who are declared by the dean to be habitual worshippers at the cathedral church and whose names are not entered on the roll of any parish.]

(2) [F266 The provisions of rule 21(2)] shall apply to schemes made under this rule.

Textual Amendments

F264 Sch. 3 rule 27 (originally 22) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 24.

F265 Sch. 3 rule 27(1)(b) substituted (1.8.2004) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 8, 19(3)(a) (with para. 19(4)(a))

F266 Words in Sch. 3 rule 27(2) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

[F267 Representation of persons to whom mission orders relate E

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F267 Sch. 3 rule 27A inserted (31.3.2008) by Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 (No. 1), ss. 49(4), 66(2); 2007 No. 3, Instrument made by Archbishops

27A (1) Any diocesan synod may, at the request of the bishop or bishops who has or have made a bishop's mission order under section 47 of the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 which is in force, provide by scheme for representation on such deanery synod as may be determined by or under the scheme of such persons to whom the order relates as may be specified in or under the scheme. E

(2) The provisions of rule 26(2) shall apply to schemes made under this rule.]

Textual Amendments

F267 Sch. 3 rule 27A inserted (31.3.2008) by Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 (No. 1), ss. 49(4), 66(2); 2007 No. 3, Instrument made by Archbishops

Procedure E

[F268 28] (1) The diocesan synod shall make rules for deanery synods which shall provide— E

(a) that the rural dean and a member of the house of laity elected by that house shall be joint chairmen of the deanery synod [F269 and that they shall agree between them who shall chair each meeting of the synod or particular items of business on the agenda of the synod.];

(b) that there shall be a secretary of the deanery synod;

(c) that a specified minimum number of meetings shall be held by the deanery synod in each year;

(d) that on such matters and in such circumstances as may be specified in the rules, voting shall be by houses, but that otherwise decisions shall be taken by a majority of the members of the synod present and voting;

(e) that there shall be a standing committee of the synod with such membership and functions as the rules may provide;

(f) that the synod shall prepare and circulate to all parochial church councils in the deanery a report of its proceedings;

and may provide for such other matters consistent with these rules as the diocesan synod think fit.

(2) Subject to any such rules, the deanery synod shall have power to determine its own procedure.

Textual Amendments

F268 Sch. 3 rule 28 (originally 23) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 24.

F269 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 15.

[F270 Diocesan Electoral Registration Officer E

Textual Amendments

F270 Sch. 3 rule 23A inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 7.

[F271 29] [F272 (1)] In every diocese, there shall be a diocesan electoral registration officer who shall be appointed by the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocesan synod and who shall record the names and addresses of all members of the House of Clergy and House of Laity of the deanery synods in the diocese in two registers (in these rules respectively referred to as “the register of clerical electors” and “the register of lay electors”); the members co-opted to the house shall be listed separately in the appropriate register. E

[F273 (2) The diocesan electoral registration officer shall not later than twenty one days before the nomination papers are circulated send a copy of the names and addresses of clerical electors and lay electors as recorded by him to the secretary of the deanery synod of which those electors are members and the secretary of the deanery synod shall within seven days of receipt certify in writing to the electoral registration officer that the names and addresses are correct or notify him in writing of any necessary corrections.

F273 (3) The diocesan electoral registration officer shall, not later than seven days before nomination papers are circulated, send a copy of the corrected names and addresses of electors to the appropriate presiding officer in the election.]]

Textual Amendments

F271 Sch. 3 rule 29 (originally 23A) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 24.

F272 Sch. 3 rule 29 renumbered rule 29 para.(1)(1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 24.

F273 Sch. 3 rule 29 paras. (2)(3) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 24.

Part IV E Diocesan Synods

Membership of Diocesan Synods E

[F274 30] (1) A diocesan synod shall consist of [F275 a house of bishops], a house of clergy and a house of laity. E

[F276 [F277 (2)] The members of the house of bishops shall consist of the bishop of the diocese, every suffragan bishop of the diocese and such other person or persons, being a person or persons in episcopal orders working in the diocese, as the bishop of the diocese, with the concurrence of the archbishop of the province, may nominate.

[F277 (3)] The bishop of the diocese shall be the president of the diocesan synod.]

[F277 (4)] The members of the house of clergy shall consist of—

(a) the following ex-officio members, that is to say:—

[F278 (i) any person or persons in episcopal orders nominated by the bishop of the diocese, other than a suffragan bishop or a person nominated under paragraph [F279 (2)] of this rule;]

(ii) the dean or provost of the cathedral (including in appropriate dioceses, the Dean of Westminster, the Dean of Windsor and the Deans of Jersey and Guernsey);

(iii) the archdeacons;

(iv) the proctors elected from the diocese or from any university in the diocese (the University of London being [F280 treated for this purpose as being] wholly in the diocese of London) to the Lower House of the Convocation of the Province F281 . . .;

[F282 (v) any other member of that House, being the person chosen by and from among the clerical members of religious communities in the Province, who resides in the diocese;]

[F283 (vi)] the chancellor of the diocese (if in Holy Orders); and

[F283 (vii)] the chairman of the diocesan board of finance [F284 and the chairman of the diocesan advisory committee](if in Holy Orders);

(b) members elected by the houses of clergy of the deanery synods in the diocese in accordance with the next following rules; and

(c) not more than five members (being clerks in Holy Orders) co-opted by the house of clergy of the diocesan synod.

[F277 (5)] The members of the house of laity shall consist of:—

(a) the following ex-officio members, that is to say:—

(i) the chancellor of the diocese (if not in Holy Orders);

(ii) the chairman of the diocesan board of finance [F284 and the chairman of the diocesan advisory committee](if not in Holy Orders);

(iii) the members elected from the diocese to the House of Laity of the General Synod F285 . . .;

[F286 (iv) any other member of that House, being [F287 an ex officio or co-opted member of the House of Laity of the General Synod or a] person chosen by and from among the lay members of religious communities in the Province, who resides in the diocese;]

(b) members elected by the houses of laity of the deanery synods in the diocese in accordance with the next following rules; and

(c) not more than five members co-opted by the house of laity of the diocesan synod, who shall be F288 . . . [F289 actual communicants]of age to vote at a Parliamentary election.

[F277 (6)] The bishop of the diocese may nominate ten additional members of the diocesan synod, who may be of the clergy or the laity and shall be members of the appropriate house. [F290 Except in regard to their appointment the nominated members shall have the same rights and be subject to the same rules as elected members. Where necessary the bishop’s council and standing committee shall designate the deanary synod of which the nominated member shall be a member and, where a nominated lay person is on more than one electoral roll, he shall choose the parochial council of which he is to be a member.]

F291 F277 [F292 (7)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F292 (7) No person shall be entitled to be a member of more than one diocesan synod at the same time except—

(a) the chancellor of the diocese;

(b) a suffragan bishop appointed to act as a provincial episcopal visitor for the purposes of the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993 who, in addition, to membership of the diocesan synod of the diocese of which he is suffragan, may be invited by the bishop of the diocese where he resides to be a member of that diocesan synod in accordance with paragraph (2) or paragraph (4)(a)(i) of this rule provided that he shall exercise his vote on a matter referred by the General Synod under Article 8 of the Constitution only in the diocesan synod of the diocese of which he is suffragan.]

[F293 (8) The registrar of the diocese and any deputy registrar of the diocesan synod shall be disqualified from standing for election to the diocesan synod or from being a nominated, co-opted or ex officio member of that synod.]

Textual Amendments

F274 Sch. 3 rule 30 (originally 24) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 25.

F275 Words substituted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 8(1)

F276 Rule 24(1A)(1B) inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 8(1)

F277 Sch. 3 rule 24 paras. (2)-(7) (originally (1A)-(5)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, paras. 25(a), 63, Sch.

F278 Rule 24(2)(a)(i) substituted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 8(2)

F279 Words in Sch. 3 rule 24 para. (4) (originally (2)) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F280 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 14(2)

F281 Words in Sch. 3 rule 30 para. (4)(a)(iv) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 25(c).

F282 Rule 24(2)(a)(v) inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 14(3)

F283 Rule 24(2)(a)(vi)(vii) (originally (a)(v)(vi)) re-numbered by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 14(3)

F284 Words in Sch. 3 rules 24(2)(a)(vii) and (3)(a)(ii) inserted (1.3.1993) by Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991 (No. 1, SIF 21:8), s. 32(1), Sch. 7 para. 4(b) (with s. 31(6)); Instrument dated 16.2.1993 made by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York

F285 Words in Sch. 3 rule 30 para. (5)(a)(iii) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 25(c).

F286 Rule 24(3)(a)(iv) added by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 14(4)

F287 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 16(1)

F288 Words in Sch. 3 rule 30 para. (5)(c) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 25(b).

F289 Words in Sch. 3 rule 30 para. (5)(c) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 25(b).

F290 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 16(2)

F291 Sch. 3 Rule 30 para. (7) omitted (1.1.1996) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 7.

F292 Sch. 3 Rule 30 para. (7) inserted (1.1.1996) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 7.

F293 Sch. 3 rule 30 para. (8) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 25(d).

Elections of Members of Diocesan Synods by Deanery Synods E

[F294 31] (1) The elections of members of the diocesan synod by the houses of clergy and laity of the deanery synods in the diocese shall take place every three years, and the members so elected shall hold office for a term [F295 of three years beginning with the 1st [F296 August] next following their election]. E

(2) Any clerk in Holy Orders who is a member of the deanery synod F297 . . . shall be qualified to be so elected by the house of clergy of a deanery synod, and the electors shall be [F298 those whose names and addresses are recorded in the register of clerical electors]. . . [F299 being the persons referred to in rule 24(2) and not including the persons co-opted to the deanery synod under rule 24(7)]:

Provided that no clerk shall stand for election by more than one deanery synod.

(3) [F300 Subject to the provisions of rule [F301 1(4)]] any lay person who is an actual communicant F302 . . . [F303 as defined in rule 54(1)]of [F304 [F305 sixteen] years or upwards] and whose name is entered on the roll of any parish in the deanery or who is [F306 on the community roll or, in the case of Westminster Abbey, St George’s Chapel, Windsor and the cathedral church of Christ in Oxford declared by the dean to be an habitual worshipper at the cathedral church], shall be qualified to be so elected by the house of laity of a deanery synod, and the electors shall be [F307 those whose names and addresses are recorded in the register of lay electors] other than F302 . . ..[F308 persons co-opted to the deanery synod under rule 24(7)]

. . . F309

[F310 [F311 (4)] The qualifying date for electors under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this rule and when a casual vacancy is being filled shall be 6.00 a.m. on the date on which the nomination papers are issued [F312 in accordance with rule 32(4)].

[F311 (5)] The register of clerical electors and the register of lay electors shall be open to inspection at the diocesan office and any errors and omissions in the list may be corrected until the close of nominations. Thereafter no names may be added or removed until the declaration of the result of the election and those persons whose names are entered in the register shall be the qualified electors entitled to vote in that election.]

[F311 (6)] The diocesan synod shall, not later than the [F313 31st December] in the year preceding any such election determine the numbers of members to be so elected by the houses of the several deanery synods in the diocese, and the numbers shall—

(a) in the case of elections by the houses of clergy, be related to the numbers of members of those houses in the respective deanery synods;

(b) in the case of elections by the houses of laity, be related to the total numbers of names on the rolls of the parishes in the respective deaneries as certified . . . F314 under rule 4:

Provided that at least two members shall be elected by each house of every deanery synod.

F315 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F316 (7) For the purpose of such determination by the diocesan synod, the secretary of every deanery synod shall, not later than the 1st June, certify to the secretary of the diocesan synod the number of members of the house of clergy of the synod as at the 30th April.]

[F311 (8)] The diocesan synod shall so exercise their powers under this rule as to secure that the number of members of the synod is not less than [F317 100] and not more than 270 and that the numbers of the F318 . . . [F319 houses of clergy and laity] are approximately equal:

. . . F320

[F321 For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the [F322 number 270 specified in this paragraph includes] the maximum number of members who may be co-opted by each house or nominated by the bishop.]

[F311 (9)] Not later than the 31st December in each year preceding any such elections, the secretary of the diocesan synod shall certify to the secretary of every deanery synod the numbers determined under this rule for that deanery synod.

Textual Amendments

F294 Sch. 3 rule 31 (originally 25) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 25.

F295 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 15(1)

F296 Word substituted by S.I. 1981/1650, para. 2

F297 Words in Sch. 3 rule 31 para. (2) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 25(e).

F298 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1989/2094, para. 8(1)

F299 Words in Sch. 3 rule 31 para. (2) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para.25(e).

F300 Words inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 15(2)

F301 Words in Sch. 3 rule 25 para. (3) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F302 Words in Sch. 3 rule 31 para. (3) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 26.

F303 Words in Sch. 3 rule 31 para. (3) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 26.

F304 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 15(2)

F305 Word in Sch. 3 rule 31(3) substituted (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 10, 19(3)(b) (with para. 19(4)(b))

F306 Words in Sch. 3 rule 31(3) substituted (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 10, 19(3)(b) (with para. 19(4)(b))

F307 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1989/2094, para. 8(2)

F308 Words in Sch. 3 rule 31 para. (3) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 26.

F309 Rule 25(3) proviso repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 15(2)

F310 Sch. 3 rule 25(3A)(3B) inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 8(3)

F311 Sch. 3 rule 31 paras. (4)-(9) (originally (3A)-(7)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 26.

F312 Words in Sch. 3 rule 31(4) added (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 9, 24(3)

F313 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 15(3)

F314 Words repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 15(3)

F315 Sch. 3 rule 31 para. (7) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 27.

F316 Sch. 3 rule 31 para. (7) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 27.

F317 Word in Sch. 3 rule 31(8) substituted (1.1.2010) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2009 (S.I. 2009/2129), paras. 1(3), 4

F318 Words in Sch. 3 rule 31 para. (8) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 28.

F319 Words in Sch. 3 rule 31 para. (8) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para.28.

F320 Words repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 17(1)

F321 Para. added by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 15(4)

F322 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 17(2)

[F323 32] [F324 (1) Elections of members of the diocesan synod by the houses of the deanery synods shall be completed by the 15th day of July, the period and dates of the election being fixed by the bishop of the diocese and communicated to the secretaries of the deanery synods. E

(2) The bishop shall appoint the presiding officers for the elections by the houses of the deanery synods, provided that no person shall be appointed as a presiding officer for an election by a house F325 . . .of which he is a member. The expenses of elections shall be paid out of diocesan funds.

[F326 (3)] The diocesan electoral registration officer shall furnish the presiding officer with the names and addresses of the qualified electors and the presiding officer shall ensure that the persons qualified to nominate and vote in elections to the diocesan synod, and only such persons, shall be sent or given nomination and voting papers in respect of the said election at the address entered against their names in the register of electors.]

[F326 (4)] Every candidate must be nominated and seconded by a qualified elector. A notice in the form set out in section 5 of Appendix I indicating the number of seats to be filled and inviting nominations shall be dispatched to every elector [F327 together with a form of nomination in the form set out in section 6 of Appendix I] shall be F328 . . . [F329 delivered either by post, by facsimile transmission or in person to the presiding officer of the area within such period, being a period of not less than [F330 twenty-one] days ending on a date specified by the presiding officer, provided that where a nomination paper has been sent by facsimile transmission the name of the candidate shall not appear on the voting paper unless the original nomination paper has been received by the presiding officer within three days of the closing date for nominations.The nomination form shall be accompanied by a statement signed by the candidate stating his willingness to serve if elected and, if he so desires, setting out in not more than 100 words a factual statement for circulation with the voting papers of the candidate’s professional qualifications, present office and any relevant past experience.]

F331 [F326 (5)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F332 (5) It shall be the duty of the presiding officer—

(a) to scrutinise nomination papers as soon as they have been lodged and shall, without delay, inform the candidate concerned whether the nomination is valid.Where the nomination is invalid the presiding officer shall give his reasons for so ruling and if, by the close of the nomination period, no valid nomination is received, the candidate shall be excluded from the election;

(b) to supply free of charge to a duly nominated candidate in the election one copy of the names and addresses of the qualified electors within seven days of receiving his written request.]

[F326 (6)] If more candidates are nominated than there are seats to be filled the names of the candidates nominated shall be circulated on a voting paper in the form set out [F333 either in section 7 or in section 8 of Appendix I to every qualified elector. The diocesan synod shall, not later than the 31st December in each year preceding any such election as is referred to in rule [F334 31], [F335 make a determination as to which form of voting paper is to be used by the deaneries in that election, and that] determination shall apply to any election to fill a casual vacancy which occurs during the next ensuing three years.]

[F326 (7)] The voting paper marked and [F336 , on the reverse thereof, signed by the elector and with his full name written.] shall be returnable to the presiding officer within such period not being less than 14 days as he shall specify . . . F337 No vote shall be counted if given on a voting paper not in accordance with this paragraph.

[F326 (8)] Where [F338 voting papers in the form set out in section 7 of Appendix I have been used and] owing to an equality of votes an election is not decided, the decision between the persons for whom the equal numbers of votes have been cast shall be taken by lot by the presiding officer.

[F339 [F326 (9)] Where voting papers in the form set out in section 8 of Appendix I are used, the election shall be conducted under rules, with the necessary modifications, made by the General Synod under rule [F340 39(7)] and for the time being in force.]

[F341 [F326 (10)]] A return of the result of the election shall be sent by the presiding officer to the secretary of the diocesan synod and a statement of the result shall be sent by [F342 the presiding officer] to every candidate not later than the 1st [F343 August] in each election year.

Textual Amendments

F323 Sch. 3 rule 32 (originally 26) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 29.

F324 Sch. 3 rule 26(1)(2)(2A) substituted for paras. (1) and (2) by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 9(1)

F325 Sch. 3 rule 32 para. (2) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 29.

F326 Sch. 3 rule 32 paras. (3)-(10) (originally (2A)-(8)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 29.

F327 Words in Sch. 3 rule 32(4) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 10, 24(3)

F328 Words in Sch. 3 rule 32 para. (4) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 30.

F329 Words in Sch. 3 rule 32 para. (4) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 30.

F330 Word in Sch. 3 rule 32(4) substituted (1.1.2010) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2009 (S.I. 2009/2129), paras. 1(3), 5

F331 Sch. 3 rule 32 para. (5) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para.31.

F332 Sch. 3 rule 32 para. (5) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 31.

F333 Words substituted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 9(1)

F334 Words in Sch. 3 rule 26 para. (4) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F335 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 18(3)

F336 Words substituted by S.I. 1981/1650, para. 18(4)

F337 Words repealed by S.I. 1980/178, para. 9(2)

F338 Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 9(3)

F339 Rule 26(7) inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 9(4)

F340 Words in Sch. 3 rule 26 para. (7) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F341 Rule 26(8) (originally 26(7)) renumbered by S.I. 1980/178, para. 9(5)

F342 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 15(5)

F343 Word substituted by S.I. 1981/1650, para. 3(3)

Variation of Membership of Diocesan Synods by Scheme E

[F344 33] (1) If it appears to the diocesan synod that the preceding rules in this Part relating to the membership of diocesan synods ought to be varied to meet the special circumstances of the diocese and to secure better representation of clergy or laity or both on the diocesan synod, they may make a scheme for such variation, and if the scheme comes into operation in accordance with the provisions hereinafter applied, the said rules shall have effect subject to the scheme: E

. . . F345

(2) Paragraphs (2) [F346 to (5)] of rule [F347 26] shall apply to schemes under this rule as it applies to schemes under that rule.

Textual Amendments

F344 Sch. 3 rule 33 (originally 27) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 32

F345 Rule 27(1) proviso repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 16

F346 Words substituted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 10

F347 Sch. 3 rule 27 para. (2) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

Procedure of Diocesan Synods E

[F348 34] (1) The diocesan synod shall make standing orders which shall provide— E

(a) that the bishop need not be chairman of its meetings if and to the extent that standing orders otherwise provide;

(b) that there shall be a secretary of the diocesan synod;

(c) that a specified minimum number of meetings being F349 ... not less than two shall be held in each year;

(d) that a meeting of the diocesan synod shall be held if not less than a specified number of members of the synod so request;

(e) that subject to the [F350 three] next following sub-paragraphs, nothing shall be deemed to have the assent of the diocesan synod unless the three [F351 houses] which constitute the synod have assented thereto [F352 but that if in the case of a particular question [F353 (except a matter referred to the diocesan synod by the General Synod under the provisions of Article 8 of the Constitution) the diocesan bishop] (if present) so directs, that question shall be deemed to have the assent of the house of bishops only if the majority of the members of that house who assent thereto includes [F353 the diocesan bishop];

(f) that questions relating only to the conduct of business shall be decided by the votes of all the members of the diocesan synod present and voting, . . . F354

[F355 (g) that every other question shall be decided by the votes of all the members of the diocesan synod present and voting, the assent of the three Houses being presumed, unless the diocesan bishop (if present) requires or any ten members require that a separate vote of each House be taken.]

[F356 (h)] that if the votes of the houses of clergy and laity are in favour of any matter referred to the diocesan synod by the General Synod under the provisions of Article 8 of Schedule 2 to this Measure, that matter shall be deemed to have been approved for the purposes of the said Article;

[F357 (i)] that where there is an equal division of votes in the house of bishops, [F358 the diocesan bishop] shall have a second or casting vote;

[F357 (j)] that [F359 the diocesan bishop] shall have a right to require that his opinion on any question shall be recorded in the minutes;]

[F360 (k)] that there shall be a bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocesan synod with such membership as may be provided by standing orders and with the functions exercisable by it under section 4(4) of the Measure and such other functions as may be provided by the standing orders or by these rules or by any Measure or Canon;

and may contain such further provisions consistent with these rules as the diocesan synod shall consider appropriate.

[F361 (2) No person shall be entitled to serve as a member of more than one bishop’s council and standing committee at the same time.]

[F362 (3)] The registrar of the diocese shall be the registrar of the diocesan synod, and may appoint a deputy.

Textual Amendments

F348 Sch. 3 rule 34 (originally 28) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 32.

F349 Words in Sch. 3 rule 34(1)(c) repealed (1.9.2008) by Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 (No. 1), s. 66(2), Sch. 7; 2008 No. 1, Instrument made by Archbishops

F350 Word substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 19(1)

F351 Word substituted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 11(2)

F352 Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 11(2)

F353 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 19(1)

F354 Words repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 19(2)

F355 Rule 28(1)(g) inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 19(3)

F356 Rule 28(1)(h) (originally 28(1)(g) relettered by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 19(4)

F357 Rule 28(1)(h)(i) inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 11(4); relettered 28(1)(i)(j) by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 19(4)

F358 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 19(4)

F359 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 19(5)

F360 Rule 28(1)(k) (originally 28(1)(h)) relettered by S.I. 1980/178, para. 11(5) and 1984/1039, para. 19(4)

F361 Rule 28(2) inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 11(5)

F362 Rule 28(3) (originally 28(2)) renumbered by S.I. 1980/178, para. 11(6)

Part V E House of Laity of General Synod

[F363 35] (1) The House of Laity of the General Synod shall consist of— E

(a) the members elected by the diocesan electors of each diocese as hereinafter provided;

(b) [F364 two members chosen by and from the members of religious communities having their mother house in either province] in such manner as may be provided by a resolution of the General Synod;

(c) such ex-officio and co-opted members as are hereinafter provided.

[F365 (d) not less than three nor more than four members elected or chosen in such manner as may be determined by the Forces Synodical Council as soon as practicable after any dissolution of the General Synod, being actual communicants, provided that the total number of persons elected or chosen to serve on the General Synod by virtue of this sub-paragraph, paragraph 1(d) of the provisions relating to the Convocation of Canterbury of Canon H 2 and paragraph 1(bb) of Canon H 3 shall not exceed seven.]

[F366 [F367 (2)] For the purposes of this Part of these rules the diocese in Europe shall be deemed to be a diocese in the province of Canterbury.]

[F367 (3)] For the purposes of this Part of these rules, the diocesan electors of a diocese [F368 other than the diocese in Europe] shall be the members of the houses of laity of all the deanery synods in the diocese other than F369 . . .:

[F370 (a) persons co-opted to the deanery synod under rule 24(7); or

(b) persons who are lay members of a religious community with separate representation in the General Synod under paragraph (1)(b) of this rule.]

. . . F371

[F372 [F367 (4)] The diocesan electors of the diocese in Europe shall be such number of persons elected by the annual meetings of the chaplaincies in the said diocese as may be determined by the bishop’s council and standing committee of the said diocese, and any lay person who is:

(a) an actual communicant F373 . . . [F374 as defined in rule 54(1)].

(b) of eighteen years or upwards, and

(c) a person whose name is entered on the electoral roll of such a chaplaincy,

shall be qualified for election as a diocesan elector by the annual meeting of that chaplaincy.]

[F375 [F367 (5)] The qualifying date for lay members of religious communities under paragraph (1)(b) of this rule and for diocesan electors under paragraphs [F376 (3) and (4)] of this rule shall be 6.00 a.m. on the date of the dissolution of the General Synod, save that when a casual vacancy is being filled, the qualifying date shall be 6.00 a.m. on the date on which the nomination papers are issued.

[F367 (6)] The register of lay electors shall be open to inspection at the diocesan office and any errors and omissions in the list may be corrected until the close of nominations. Thereafter no names may be added or removed until the declaration of the result of the election and those persons whose names are entered in the register shall be the qualified electors entitled to vote in that election.]

Textual Amendments

F363 Sch. 3 rule 35 (originally 29) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 32.

F364 Words in Sch. 3 rule 35(1)(b) substituted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 11(a), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F365 Sch. 3 rule 35(1)(d) added (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 11(b), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F366 Rule 29(1A) inserted by Diocese in Europe Measure 1980 (No. 2, SIF 21:1), Sch. 2 para. 1(1)

F367 Sch. 3 rule 35 paras. (2)-(6) (originally (1A)-(5)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 32.

F368 Words inserted by Diocese in Europe Measure 1980 (No. 2, SIF 21:1), Sch. 2 para. 1(2)

F369 Words in Sch. 3 rule 35 para. (3) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 32.

F370 Sch. 3 rule 35 para. (3)(a)(b) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 32.

F371 Rule 29(2) proviso repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 17

F372 Rule 29(3) inserted by Diocese in Europe Measure 1980 (No. 2, SIF 21:1), Sch. 2 para. 1(2)

F373 Words in Sch. 3 rule 35 para. (4)(a) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 33.

F374 Words in Sch. 3 rule 35 para. (4)(a) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 33.

F375 Sch. 3 rule 29(4)(5) inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 10

F376 Words in Sch. 3 rule 29 para. (4) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

Elections of Members Number of Elected Members E

[F377 36] [F378 (1) The total number of members directly elected and specially elected from the dioceses in the Province shall not exceed [F379 136] for Canterbury and [F379 59] for York and no diocese shall have fewer than three directly elected members (except the diocese in Europe which shall elect two members, and the diocese of Sodor and Man which shall elect one member). [F380 The representatives of the religious communities referred to in rule 35(1)(b), the elected or chosen persons referred to in rule 35(1)(d),] ex officio and co-opted members (as defined in rule [F381 42]) shall be additional to the said total number. In this rule the term “specially elected” means F382 ... the representatives of the Channel Islands elected in accordance with the Channel Islands (Representation) Measure 1931 and such persons shall be included in the said total number. E

[F383 (2)] The total number of members to be elected by the diocesan electors of all the dioceses shall be fixed by resolution of the General Synod not later than the last day of [F384 February in the fifth] year after the last preceding election of the house of Laity (but subject as hereinafter provided), and the resolution shall apportion the number so fixed to the Provinces of Canterbury and York in a proportion of [F384 70 to 30] or as nearly as possible thereto and shall divide the number among the dioceses [F385 (using such divisor method as may from time to time be specified for the purpose by the Business Committee of the General Synod)] so that the number of members to be elected by the several dioceses are as nearly as possible proportionate to the total number of names [F384 on the rolls of the parishes of the diocese in question].]

F386 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F383 (4)] The number of members of the House of Laity to be elected by each diocese, when fixed by the General Synod as aforesaid, shall forthwith be certified to the secretaries of the diocesan synods.

[F383 (5)] If the General Synod is at any time dissolved F387 ...before the fixing of numbers under this rule by the General Synod F387 ..., the General Synod or the Presidents thereof may give directions with respect to the fixing and certifying of the numbers of members to be elected to the House of Laity by each diocese, and the directions may provide that the numbers so fixed and certified on the last previous occasion shall be deemed to have been fixed and certified for the purpose of the election following the dissolution, and the directions may, if the dissolution is known to be impending, be given before it occurs.

Textual Amendments

F377 Sch. 3 rule 36 (originally 30) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 34.

F378 Rule 30(1)(1A) substituted for rule 30(1) by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 21

F379 Word in Sch. 3 rule 36(1) substituted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 12(a), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F380 Words in Sch. 3 rule 36(1) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 12(a), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F381 Words in Sch. 3 rule 30 para. (1) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F382 Words in Sch. 3 rule 36(1) omitted (15.2.2005) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 12(a), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F383 Sch. 3 rule 36 paras. (2)-(5) (originally (1A)-(4)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 34(a).

F384 Words in Sch. 3 rule 36(2) substituted (15.2.2005) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 12(b), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F385 Words in Sch. 3 rule 36(2) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 12(b), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F386 Sch. 3 rule 36(3) omitted (15.2.2005) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 12(c), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F387 Words in Sch. 3 rule 36(5) omitted (15.2.2005) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 12(d), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

Qualification of Elected Members E

[F388 37] [F389 (1) Subject to the provisions of rule 1(3) and of [F390 rule 46A], a lay person shall be qualified for election for any diocese by the diocesan electors of the diocese if— E

(a) he is an actual communicant F391 . . . [F392 as defined in rule 54(1)] [F393 but as if, in that definition, for the words “whose name is on the roll of a parish and” there were substituted the word “who”],

(b) he is of eighteen years of age on the date of the dissolution of the General Synod [F394 or, when a casual vacancy is being filled on the date on which the nomination papers are issued in accordance with rule 39(3)];

(c) his name is at 6.00 a.m. on the date of dissolution of the General Synod [F395 or, when a casual vacancy is being filled, on the date on which the nomination papers are issued in accordance with rule 39(3)] entered on the roll of any parish in the diocese or [F396 , in the case of a cathedral which is not a parish church, on the community roll or, in the case of Westminster Abbey, St George’s Chapel, Windsor and the cathedral church of Christ in Oxford is a person] who at any time within the period of two months beginning one month immediately before that date is declared by the dean of the cathedral church to be a habitual worshipper at that cathedral church.]

F397 (1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F398 (2)] F399 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F400 [F401 (3)] Where a diocese is divided into two or more areas in accordance with rule [F402 38(2)], any person who under this rule is qualified for election for the diocese shall be qualified for election for any such area whether or not the parish on whose roll his name is entered, or the cathedral church [F403 on whose community roll his name is entered], is situated in that area, but no person shall be nominated for more than one such area at the same time.]

Textual Amendments

F388 Sch. 3 rule 37 (originally 31) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 34.

F389 Rule 31(1) substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 22(1)

F390 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37(1) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 11(a), 24(3)

F391 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37 para. (1)(a) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 34(b).

F392 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37 para. (1)(a) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 34(b).

F393 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37(1)(a) added (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 13(a), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F394 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37(1)(b) inserted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 11(b), 24(3)

F395 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37(1)(c) inserted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 11(c), 24(3)

F396 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37(1)(c) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 13(b), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F397 Sch. 3 rule 37 para. (1A) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 35.

F398 Sch. 3 rule 37 para. (2) (originally (1B)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, paras. 35, 63, Sch.

F399 Sch. 3 rule 37(2) omitted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 11(d), 24(3)

F400 Rule 31(2) inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 19(3)

F401 Sch. 3 rule 37 para. (3) (originally (2)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118 para. 35

F402 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37 para. (2) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F403 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37(3) substituted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 13(c), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

Electoral Areas E

[F404 38] (1) Subject to any division of a diocese under this rule every diocese shall be an electoral area for the purposes of elections to the House of Laity. E

(2) So far as is consistent with any rule made under the Standing Orders of the General Synod under [F405 rule 39(8)][F406 and subject to paragraph (3) of this rule] a diocesan synod may, for the purposes of any election, divide a diocese into two or more areas, and apportion the number of members of the House of Laity to be elected for the diocese among such areas, and the election shall be conducted in each area as if such area were a separate diocese. Where a diocese is so divided, a diocesan elector who is a representative of the laity shall vote in the area to which the body by which he was elected belongs, and a diocesan elector who is not a representative of the laity shall vote in such area as the diocesan synod may decide. Any such division shall remain in force until it is revoked by the diocesan synod.

[F407 (3) If a diocesan synod decides to divide the diocese into two or more areas in pursuance of this rule the division shall be made in such manner that the number of members to be elected in any such area will be not less than three.]

Textual Amendments

F404 Sch. 3 rule 38 (originally 32) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 36.

F405 Words in Sch. 3 rule 38 para. (2) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F406 Words inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 21(1).

F407 Rule 32(3) added by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 20(1).

Conduct of Elections E

[F408 39] (1) Subject to any directions by the General Synod or the Presidents thereof, elections to the House of Laity shall be carried out during the three months immediately following any dissolution of the General Synod and shall be so carried out in each each diocese during such period within the said three months as shall be fixed by the archbishops of Canterbury and York. E

(2) The presiding officer in each diocese or each area of a diocese shall be the registrar of the diocese or a person appointed by him [F409 with the approval of the registrar of the province], except that, if the said registrar is a candidate in the election, the presiding officer shall be a person appointed by the registrar of the province. The expenses of the elections shall be paid out of diocesan funds.

F410 (2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F411 (3) On receipt of the names and addresses of the qualified electors from the diocesan electoral registration officer the presiding officer shall ensure that in respect of the election—

(i) those persons are sent or given nomination papers; and

(ii) only such persons are sent or given voting papers at the address entered against their names in the register of electors.

The presiding officer shall also send nomination papers to any other person who requests them.]

F412 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F412 (3A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F412 (3B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F412 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F412 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F412 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F413 (4) Every candidate must be nominated and seconded by diocesan electors qualified to vote in the area in which the candidate is seeking to be elected. All nominations shall be in writing, shall include the year of the candidate’s birth [F414 and a statement as to whether the candidate is seeking re-election and, if so, as to the dates of the candidate’s previous service] and shall be delivered either by post, by facsimile transmission or in person to the presiding officer of the area, together with evidence of the candidate’s consent to serve, within such period, being a period of not less than twenty-eight days [F415 ending on such date as may be specified] by the presiding officer, provided that where a nomination paper has been sent by facsimile transmission the name of the candidate shall not appear on the voting paper unless the original nomination paper has been received by the presiding officer within three days of the closing date for nominations.

(5) It shall be the duty of the presiding officer—

(a) to scrutinise nomination papers as soon as they have been lodged and he shall, without delay, inform the candidate concerned whether the nomination is valid.Where the nomination is invalid the presiding officer shall give his reasons for so ruling and if, by the close of the nomination period, no valid nomination is received, the candidate shall be excluded from the election;

(b) to supply free of charge to a duly nominated candidate in the election one copy of the names and addresses of the qualified electors [F416 (including, if an elector has authorised the use of an electronic mail address, that address)] within seven days of receiving his written request.

(6) If any of the candidates so request the presiding officer shall despatch to every elector election addresses from those candidates being not more than one sheet of A4 paper. [F417 One copy of the address] shall be provided by the candidates at their own expense and be delivered [F418 or sent by electronic mail] to the presiding officer by such date as he shall determine being not less than seven days after the close of nominations. The presiding officer shall be under no obligation to despatch to electors election addresses which are received after the due date or which are not in the prescribed form.

(7) It shall be the duty of the presiding officer in any election under these rules to seek to ensure that during the period beginning with the date on which nominations are invited and ending on the last date for the return of voting papers, no papers or other literature except election addresses prepared by the candidates under paragraph 6 of this rule shall be circulated to the electors by him or by or under authority of the diocesan synod or the deanery synod or distributed at a synod meeting which in his opinion are likely to prejudice the election. The rural dean and the lay chairman and secretary of the deanery synod shall also be under a duty to seek to ensure that during the election period no papers or other literature form part of an official circulation or are distributed at a synod meeting which in the opinion of any of them are likely to prejudice the election.

(8) Subject to rule 51, if more candidates are nominated for any area than there are seats to be filled, the election shall be conducted by voting papers by the method of the single transferable vote under rules to be made from time to time as provided by the Standing Orders of the General Synod.Every voting paper, which shall include the year of birth of each candidate [F419 and a statement as to whether the candidate is seeking re-election and, if so, as to the dates of the candidate’s previous service], shall be marked and signed on the reverse thereof by the elector and shall be returnable to the presiding officer within such period, being a period of not less than twenty-one days after the date on which the voting paper is issued, as that officer may specify, provided that a voting paper sent by facscimile transmission shall not be counted as a valid vote.

(9) A candidate or a person nominated by him has the right to be present at the counting of the votes in order to scrutinise the count but shall take no part in it. The presiding officer shall give not less than seven days notice in writing to each candidate of the time and place at which the votes are to be counted.

(10) Where within seven days of a count being completed the presiding officer is of the opinion that a recount should take place because of a possible irregularity or inaccuracy in the count, he may, with the concurrence of the registrar of the province, order such a recount and shall give notice in writing to each candidate of the time and place at which the votes are to be recounted.

(11) A full return of the result of any election and of the result sheet shall be sent by the presiding officer within four working days of the declaration of the result to every [F420 in the election, the Clerk to the General Synod and an election scrutineer appointed by the Business Committee] of the General Synod. The scrutineer shall have power within ten days of the declaration of the result to order a recount of the voting papers if in his opinion this might be material to the result of the election.

(12) The result sheet shall be publicly displayed in the diocesan office in such manner as the bishop may approve and at the General Synod office until the end of the first group of sessions of the new Synod as the [F421 Clerk to the General Synod] may direct.]

[F422 [F423 (13)] The presiding officer in each area shall ensure that the valid voting papers received by him for the purposes of any election to the House of Laity are preserved for a period of not less than two years beginning with the date of the election.]

Textual Amendments

F408 Sch. 3 rule 39 (originally 33) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 36.

F409 Words inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 20(1).

F410 Sch. 3 rule 39 para. (2A) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 36.

F411 Sch. 3 rule 39 para. (3) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para.36.

F412 Sch. 3 rule 39 paras. (3)-(6B) expressed to be omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 37.

F413 Sch. 3 rule 39 paras. (4)-(12) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 37.

F414 Words in Sch. 3 rule 39(4) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 14(a), 19(3)(c)

F415 Words in Sch. 3 rule 39(4) substituted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 14(a), 19(3)(c)

F416 Words in Sch. 3 rule 39(5)(b) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 14(b), 19(3)(c)

F417 Words in Sch. 3 rule 39(6) substituted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 14(c), 19(3)(c)

F418 Words in Sch. 3 rule 39(6) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 14(c), 19(3)(c)

F419 Words in Sch. 3 rule 39(8) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 14(d), 19(3)(c)

F420 Words in Sch. 3 rule 39(11) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 12(a), 24(3)

F421 Words in Sch. 3 rule 39(12) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 12(b), 24(3)

F422 Rule 33(7) added by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 21(5).

F423 Sch. 3 rule 39 para. (13) (originally (7)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 37.

[F424 [F425 40] (1) Rules defining the duties to be undertaken by the presiding officers in connection with elections to the House of Laity shall be prepared by the provincial registrars acting jointly, but no such rules shall have effect unless approved by the [F426 [F427 lay members of the Business Committee] of the General Synod]. E

(2) A presiding officer shall be entitled to such fees for the performance by him of the duties aforesaid as may be specified in any order for the time being in force made under F428 . . . [F429 the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986]; and where with the prior agreement in writing of the bishop’s council and standing committee the presiding officer or any other person performs any other duties in connection with elections to the House of Laity he shall be entitled to such fees as may be specified in the agreement.]

Textual Amendments

F424 Rule 33A added by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 22

F425 Sch. 3 rule 40 (originally 33A) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 38.

F426 Words in Sch. 3 rule 40 para. (1) substituted (1.1.1999) by 1998 No. 1, s. 13(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(a); Instrument dated 14.10.1998 made by Archbishops of Canterbury and York

F427 Words in Sch. 3 rule 40(1) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 13, 24(3)

F428 Words in Sch. 3 rule 40 para. (2) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 38.

F429 Words in Sch. 3 rule 40 para. (2) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 38.

F430 . . . [F431 Term of Office of membership of General Synod and other bodies] E

Textual Amendments

F430 Sch. 3 rule 41 title omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 38.

F431 Words in Sch. 3 rule 41 title inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 38.

[F432 41] E The term of office of elected members of the House of Laity [F433 , of the members elected or chosen under rule 35(1)(d) above] and of members chosen by the lay members of religious communities shall be for the lifetime of the General Synod for which they are elected or chosen, but without prejudice to their acting under Article 3(4) of the Constitution during the period of the dissolution of the General Synod F434 . . . [F435 or to their continuing to be]ex-officio members of other bodies constituted under these rules during that period.

Textual Amendments

F432 Sch. 3 rule 41 (originally 34) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 38.

F433 Words in Sch. 3 rule 41 inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 15, 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F434 Words in Sch. 3 rule 41 omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 38.

F435 Words in Sch. 3 rule 41 inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 38.

Ex-officio and Co-opted Members of the House of Laity E

[F436 42] (1) The following persons, if they are not in Holy Orders, shall be ex-officio members of the House of Laity;— E

(a) the Dean of the Arches and Auditor;

[F437 (b) the Vicar-General of the Province of Canterbury;]

[F438 (c)] the Vicar-General of the Province of York;

[F438 (d)] the three Church Estate Commissioners;

[F438 (e)] the Chairman of the Central Board of Finance.

[F439 (f) the Chairman of the Church of England Pensions Board.]

[F440 (g) the members of the Archbishops’ Council who are actual communicants]

[F441 (h) the Chair of the Dioceses Commission]

(2) The House of Laity shall have power to co-opt persons who are F442 . . . [F443 actual lay communicants]of [F444 eighteen years or upwards] to be members of the House of Laity:

Provided that:—

(a) the co-opted members shall not at any time exceed five in number; and,

(b) no person shall be qualified to become a co-opted member unless not less than two-thirds of the members of the Standing Committee of the House of Laity shall have first consented to his being co-opted, either at a meeting of the Standing Committee or in writing.

(3) Except in regard to their appointment, the ex-officio and co-opted members shall have the same rights and be subject to the same rules and regulations as elected members:

. . . F445

[F446 Where such members are on more than one electoral roll, they shall choose the parochial church of which they are to be a member.]

(4) Co-opted members shall continue to be members of the House of Laity until the next dissolution of the General Synod, but without prejudice to their acting under Article 3(4) of the Constitution during the period of the dissolution [F447 or to their continuing to be ex-officio members of other bodies constituted under these rules during that period:]

Provided that the House of Laity may, in the case of any co-opted member, fix a shorter period of membership.

(5) The House of Laity may make standing orders for regulating the procedure of and incidental to the appointment of co-opted members and otherwise for carrying this rule into effect.

Textual Amendments

F436 Sch. 3 rule 42 (originally 35) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 39.

F437 Rule 35(1)(b) inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 23(1).

F438 Rule 35(1)(c)(d)(e) (originally (1)(b)(c)(d)) re-lettered by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 23(1).

F439 Sch. 3 rule 42 para. (1)(f) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 39(a).

F440 Sch. 3 Rule 42 para (1)(g) inserted (1.1.1999) by 1998 No. 1, s. 13(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(b); Instrument dated 14.10.1998 made by Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

F441 Sch. 3 rule 42(1)(h) added (19.5.2014) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2014 (No. 1), ss. 9(a), 21(2); S.I. 2014/1369, art. 2

F442 Words in Sch. 3 rule 42 para. (2) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 39(b).

F443 Words in Sch. 3 rule 42 para. (2) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 39(b).

F444 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 23(2).

F445 Rule 35(3) proviso repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 24.

F446 Words inserted by S.I. 1983/1039, para. 24.

F447 Words in Sch. 3 rule 42 para. (4) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 40.

Part VI E Appeals and Disqualifications

[F448 Enrolment Appeal E

Textual Amendments

F448 Sch. 3 rules 36–36B substituted for rule 36 by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 12

[F449 43] (1) There shall be a right of appeal with regard to— E

(a) any enrolment, or refusal of enrolment, on the roll of a parish or the registers of lay or clerical electors;

(b) the removal of any name, or the refusal to remove any name, from the roll of a parish or the registers of lay or clerical electors.

(2) The following persons shall have a right of appeal under this rule—

(a) a person who is refused enrolment on the roll or register;

(b) a person whose name is removed from the roll or register; or

(c) any person whose name is entered on the roll or register who wishes to object to the enrolment or removal of the name of any other person on that roll or register.

(3) In an appeal concerning the roll of a parish, notice of the appeal shall be given in writing to the lay chairman of the deanery synod and in an appeal concerning the register of lay or clerical electors notice of the appeal shall be given in writing to the Chairman of the House of Laity or the Chairman of the House of Clergy of the diocesan synod as the case may be.

(4) Notice of appeal shall be given not later than fourteen days after the date of [F450 notification of the enrolment, removal or refusal or not later than fourteen days after the last day of the publication (as provided by rule 2(3)) of a new roll or register or of a list of additions or removals from such roll or register.]

(5) In any appeal arising under this rule the chairman of the House concerned of the Diocesan Synod or the lay chairman of the deanery synod, as the case may be, shall within fourteen days refer any appeal to the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocese unless within that period the appellant withdraws the appeal in writing. The said bishop’s council shall appoint three or a greater number being an odd number of their lay members or clerical members as the case may be to consider and decide the appeal.]

Textual Amendments

F449 Sch. 3 rule 43 (originally 36) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 41.

F450 Words in Sch. 3 rule 43(4) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 14, 24(3)

[F451 Election Appeals E

Textual Amendments

F451 Sch. 3 rules 36–36B substituted for rule 36 by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 12

[F452 44] (1) There shall be a right of appeal with regard to— E

(a) the allowance or disallowance of any vote given or tendered in an election of a churchwarden or in an election under these rules or to a body constituted under or in accordance with these rules;

(b) the result of any election of a churchwarden or of any election or choice held or made or purporting to be held or made under these rules, or any election or choice of members of a body constituted under or in accordance with these rules.

(2) The following persons shall have a right of appeal under this rule—

(a) an elector in the said election;

(b) a candidate in the said election; or

(c) the chairman of the House of Laity or of the House of Clergy of the diocesan synod or, in an election to the House of Laity of the General Synod, the chairman and vice-chairman of that House of Laity F453 . . . [F454 as specified in paragraph (5) of this rule.].

(3) The provisions of this rule (except paragraph [F455 (6) of this rule]), insofar as they confer a right of appeal by any person referred to in paragraph (2) above against the result of an election and provide for notice of an appeal and the determination thereof, shall apply in relation to an election to the House of Laity of the General Synod by the diocesan electors of the diocese in Europe.

(4) [F456 Subject to paragraph (6) of this rule]in the case of an appeal arising out of an election to the House of Laity of the General Synod or the diocesan synod notice of the appeal shall be given in writing to the chairman of the House of Laity of the diocesan synod. In any other case concerning the laity, notice of the appeal shall be given in writing to the lay chairman of the deanery synod. Notices under this paragraph shall be given:

(a) in the case of an appeal against the allowance or disallowance of a vote, not later than fourteen days after such allowance or disallowance;

(b) in the case of an appeal against the result of an election or choice, not later than fourteen days after [F457 the day on which the result is declared] by the presiding officer.

[F458 (5) The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the House of Laity of the General Synod shall each have a right of appeal under this rule in accordance with paragraph (1) of this rule in respect of any election to the House of Laity of the General Synod in either of the Provinces of Canterbury and York and he shall give notice in writing of such appeal to the presiding officer concerned not later than three months after the result of the election has been declared by the said presiding officer. Provided that if the office of Chairman or Vice-Chairman is vacant when the result of the election is published the person who last held office shall be deemed to hold that office for the purposes of this rule.]

[F459 (6)] An error in the electoral roll or the registers of clerical or lay electors shall not be a ground of appeal against the result of any election unless—

(a) either it has been determined under this rule that there has been such an error or the question is awaiting determination under rule [F460 43]; and

(b) the error would or might be material to the result of the election;

and the allowance or disallowance of a vote shall not be a ground of appeal against the result of an election unless the allowance or disallowance would or might be material to the result of the election.

[F459 (7)] An error in the electoral roll of a chaplaincy or in the register of lay electors in the diocese in Europe shall not be a ground of appeal against the result of an election to the House of Laity of the General Synod by the diocesan electors of that diocese unless—

(a) either it has been determined under the rule which applies in that diocese and corresponds with rule [F461 43] that there has been such an error or the question is awaiting determination under that rule; and

(b) the error would or might be material to the result of that election;

and the allowance or disallowance of a vote shall not be a ground of appeal against the result of such an election unless the allowance or disallowance would or might be material to the result of the election.

[F462 (8) An appeal arising out of an election or choice of members of the House of Laity of the General Synod shall, within the period of fourteen days of the appeal being lodged, be referred to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of that House unless, within that period, the appellant withdraws the appeal in writing. Subject to paragraph (9) of this rule, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman acting jointly shall appoint three persons (one of whom shall be a qualified lawyer) from an appeal panel consisting of the Dean of the Arches and Auditor, the Vicar General of the Province of Canterbury, the Vicar General of the Province of York and twelve members of the House of Laity of the General Synod nominated by the Appointments Committee of the Church of England to consider and decide the appeal.

(9) (a) Where the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the House of Laity has given notice of appeal under paragraph (5) above, or where he comes from the diocese to which the appeal relates he shall take no part in the appointing of the three persons to hear the appeal and he shall not be appointed to hear the appeal. E

(b) Where a member of the appeal panel comes from the diocese to which the appeal relates, or might otherwise have a benefit from the outcome of the election, he shall not be appointed to hear the appeal.]

[F459 (10)] In any appeal arising under this rule except an appeal arising out of an election to the House of Laity of the General Synod, the Chairman of the House of Laity of the diocesan synod or the lay chairman of the deanery synod, as the case may be, shall refer any appeal to the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocese [F463 who shall appoint three or a greater number, being an odd number, of their lay members to consider and decide the appeal.].

[F459 (11)] In any appeal arising under this rule to the House of Clergy of the diocesan synod the Chairman of the House of Clergy of the said synod shall refer any appeal to the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocese who shall appoint three or a greater number, being an odd number, of their clerical members to consider and decide the appeal.]

[F464 (12) Where an appeal is pending under this rule in respect of an election to any synod any person who was declared elected in accordance with rule 33 but whose election is or may be affected by the appeal shall for all purposes be deemed to be a member of that Synod until the appeal is heard and disposed of.]

Textual Amendments

F452 Sch. 3 rule 44 (originally 36A) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 41.

F453 Words in Sch. 3 rule 44 para. (2)(c) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 41.

F454 Words in Sch. 3 rule 44 para. (2)(c) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 41.

F455 Words in Sch. 3 rule 44(3) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F456 Words in Sch. 3 rule 44 para. (4) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 42.

F457 Words in Sch. 3 rule 44(4)(b) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 15(a), 24(3)

F458 Sch. 3 rule 44 para. (5)inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 43.

F459 Sch. 3 rule 44 paras. (6)-(11) (originally (5)-(10)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 43.

F460 Figure in Sch. 3 rule 44(6) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F461 Figure in Sch. 3 rule 44(7) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F462 Sch. 3 rule 44(8)(9) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 15(b), 24(3)

F463 Words in Sch. 3 rule 44 para. (10) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 45.

F464 Sch. 3 rule 44 para. (12) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 46.

[F465 [F466 45] E For the purpose of the consideration and decision of any appeal under rules [F467 43 and 44], the persons appointed to consider and decide the appeal—

(a) shall consider all the relevant circumstances and shall be entitled to inspect all documents and papers relating to the subject matter of the appeal and be furnished with all information respecting the same which they may require;

(b) shall give to the parties to the appeal an opportunity of appearing before them in person or through a legal or other representative;

(c) shall have power at any time to extend the time within which a notice of appeal is given;

(d) shall, unless by consent of the persons appointed the appeal is withdrawn, determine the matter at issue and, in an election appeal shall determine whether—

(i) the person or persons whose election is complained of was or were duly elected;

(ii) the facts complained of amount to a minor infringement of the rules which did not affect the outcome of the election in which event the appeal shall be dismissed; or

[F468 (iii) the facts complained of amount to a procedural irregularity in the conduct of the election, but that in all the relevant circumstances the appeal shall be dismissed; or]

[F469 (iv)] the election was void. The determination so certified shall be final as to the matters at issue and, in any case in which there has been no valid election, the members shall direct a fresh election to be held and shall give such directions in connection therewith as they may think necessary;

(e) shall have power at any time to consent to the withdrawal of the appeal by an appellant subject to a determination in respect of costs in accordance with paragraph [F470 (f) of this rule];

(f) shall have power to direct that any party to an appeal shall be entitled to payment of costs by any other party or by the diocesan board of finance and to direct that a party shall be responsible for the reasonable expenses of the persons appointed to hear the appeal; save that in so far as the same have not been paid by any other person, the diocesan board of finance shall pay all expenses of the persons appointed to hear the appeal provided that the said board shall first be satisfied that they are reasonable in amount.]

Textual Amendments

F465 Sch. 3 rules 36–36B substituted for rule 36 by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 12

F466 Sch. 3 rule 45 (originally 36B) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 47.

F467 Words in Sch. 3 rule 45 amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F468 Sch. 3 rule 45(d)(iii) inserted (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 16, 24(3)

F469 Sch. 3 rule 45(d)(iii) renumbered as Sch. 3 rule 45(d)(iv) (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 16, 24(3)

F470 Words in Sch. 3 rule 45(e) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

Vacation of Seat by Member ceasing to be Qualified for Election E

[F471 46] [F472 (1)] Where— E

(a) any lay member of a deanery synod, being a parochial representative or a representative under rule [F473 27], ceases to be entered on the roll of the parish by which he was elected or, as the case may be, [F474 on the community roll of the cathedral church of the diocese or] to be declared under the said rule to be a habitual worshipper at the cathedral church;

(b) any member of a diocesan synod elected by the house of clergy of a deanery synod ceases to be qualified for election by that house;

(c) any lay member of a diocesan synod elected by the house of laity of a deanery synod ceases to have the qualification of entry on the roll of any parish in that deanery or (in appropriate cases) [F475 of being on the community roll of the cathedral church of the diocese or] of being declared a habitual worshipper at the cathedral church of the diocese under rule [F473 27];

(d) any elected member of the House of Laity of the General Synod ceases to have the qualification of entry on the roll of any parish in the diocese for which he was elected or of being [F476 , as the case may be, on the community roll of the cathedral church of the diocese or] declared a habitual worshipper as aforesaid;

[F477 (e) any elected member of the House of Laity of the General Synod takes any paid office or employment as provided by rule [F478 46A(c)];]

[F479 (f) any member of [F480 a deanery synod,] a diocesan synod or of the House of Laity of the General Synod has his election declared void in accordance with the provision of rule [F481 45]][F482 or becomes disqualified in accordance with the provisions of rule 46A(a) hereof,]

his seat shall [F483 subject to the following provisions of this rule] forthwith be vacated:

. . . F484

[F485 (2) If the name of a person to whom paragraph 1(a) of this rule applies is entered on the roll of any parish in the diocese other than that of the parish [F486 referred to in that paragraph] [F487 or, as the case may be, on the community roll of the cathedral church of the diocese] or if he is declared under rule [F486 27] to be a habitual worshipper at the cathedral church of the diocese, his seat shall not be vacated under this rule if, before the vacancy occurs, the parochial church council so resolve.

(3) If a person to whom paragraph (1)(b) of this rule applies continues to work or reside in the diocese, his seat shall not be vacated under this rule if, before the vacancy occurs, the clerical members of the standing committee of the deanery synod so resolve.

(4) If the name of a person to whom paragraph (1)(c) of this rule applies is entered on the roll of any parish in the diocese other than that of the parish [F488 referred to in that paragraph] or if he is declared under rule [F488 27] to be a habitual worshipper at the cathedral church of the diocese, his seat shall not be vacated under this rule if, before the vacancy occurs, the lay members of the standing committee of the deanery synod so resolve.]

[F489 (5) If [F490 the lay members of] the bishop’s council and standing committee has determined [F490 before the vacancy occurs] that a person to whom paragraph (1)(d) of this rule applies [F491 is able and willing to continue to discharge to their satisfaction the duties of a member of the House of Laity elected for that diocese,], [F492 neither his seat as a member of that House nor his seat as a lay member of the diocesan synod shall] be vacated under this rule.]

[F493 (5A) The lay members of the bishop’s council and standing committee shall not later than one year after the determination referred to in paragraph (5) above and annually thereafter review the membership of a member to whom paragraph (1)(d) above applies and determine whether he is able and willing as mentioned in paragraph (5) above.]

[F494 (6) This rule shall apply in relation to a member of the House of Laity of the General Synod elected for the diocese in Europe with the substitution for the words in paragraph (1)(d) from “roll” to “aforesaid” of the words “electoral roll of any chaplaincy in that diocese”].

Textual Amendments

F471 Sch. 3 rule 46 (originally 37) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 47.

F472 “(1)” inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 25(1).

F473 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37(1)(a)(c) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F474 Words in Sch. 3 rule 46(1)(a) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 16(a), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(a))

F475 Words in Sch. 3 rule 46(1)(c) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 16(b), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(b))

F476 Words in Sch. 3 rule 46(1)(d) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 16(c), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F477 Rule 37(1)(e) inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 26(1).

F478 Word in Sch. 3 rule 46(1)(e) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 17(a), 24(3)

F479 Sch. 3 rule 37(1)(f) inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 13(1).

F480 Words in Sch. 3 rule 46(1)(f) inserted (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 17(b), 24(3)

F481 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37(1)(f) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F482 Words in Sch. 3 rule 46(1)(f) inserted (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 17(b), 24(3)

F483 Words inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 25(2).

F484 Rule 37(1) proviso repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 25(1).

F485 Rule 37(2)–(4) substituted for rule 37(2)(3) by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 26(2).

F486 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37(2) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F487 Words in Sch. 3 rule 46(2) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 16(d), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(a))

F488 Words in Sch. 3 rule 37(4) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F489 Rule 37(5) (originally 37(4) substituted for proviso by S.I. 1973/185, para. 25(2)) renumbered by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 26(2).

F490 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 26(3).

F491 Words substituted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 13(2).

F492 Words substituted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 15.

F493 Sch. 3 rule 46(5A) inserted (15.2.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 16(f), 19(3)(c) (with para. 19(4)(c))

F494 Rule 37(5) inserted by Diocese in Europe Measure 1980 (No. 2, SIF 21:1), Sch. 2 para. 5; renumbered 37(6) by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 26(2).

[F495 46A (a) A person shall be disqualified from being nominated, chosen or elected or from serving as a churchwarden, a member of a parochial church council, a district church council or any synod under these rules if he is disqualified from being a charity trustee under [F496 section 178 of the Charities Act 2011 and the disqualification is not for the time being subject to a general waiver by the Charity Commission under section 181 of that Act or to a waiver by it under that section] in respect of all ecclesiastical charities established for purposes relating to the parish concerned. E

In this paragraph “ecclesiastical charity" has the same meaning as that assigned to that expression in the Local Government Act 1894;

(b) A person shall also be disqualified from being nominated, chosen or elected or from serving as a churchwarden or member of a parochial church council if he has been so disqualified from holding office under section 10(6) of the Incumbents (Vacation of Benefices) Measure 1997;

(c) A person shall be disqualified from being nominated for election or from continuing to serve as a member of the General Synod if he holds or takes any paid office or employment appointment to which is or may be made or confirmed by the General Synod, the Convocations, the Archbishops’ Council, F497 ... the Church Commissioners for England (except that such disqualification shall not apply to any Commissioner so appointed in receipt of a salary or other emoluments), the Church of England Pensions Board or the Corporation of the Church House.]

Textual Amendments

F495 Sch. 3 rule 46A inserted (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 18, 24(3)

F496 Words in Sch. 3 rule 46A(a) substituted (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), s. 355, Sch. 7 para. 21(2) (with s. 20(2), Sch. 8)

F497 Words in Sch. 3 rule 46A(c) omitted (19.5.2014) by virtue of Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2014 (No. 1), ss. 9(b), 21(2); S.I. 2014/1369, art. 2

Ex-Officio Membership not to Disqualify for Election E

[F498 47] E No . . . F499 person shall be disqualified from being elected or chosen a member of any body under these rules by the fact that he is also a member ex-officio of that body; and no . . . F499 person shall be deemed to vacate his seat as such an elected or chosen member of any body by reason only of the fact that subsequently to his election or choice he has become a member of that body ex-officio.

Textual Amendments

F498 Sch. 3 rule 47 (originally 38) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 47.

F499 Word repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 26

Part VII E Supplementary and Interpretation

Casual Vacancies E

[F500 48] [F501 [F502 (1) Casual vacancies among the parochial representatives elected to the parochial church council or deanery synod shall be filled as soon as practicable after the vacancy has occurred. Where the annual parochial church meeting is not due to be held within the next two months following the occurrence of the vacancy, a vacancy among the parochial representatives elected to the parochial church council may be filled, and a vacancy among the parochial representatives elected to the deanery synod shall be filled, by the election by the parochial church council of a person qualified to be so elected. Returns of parochial representatives of the laity elected to fill one or more casual vacancies on the deanery synod shall be sent by the secretary of the parochial church council to the diocesan electoral registration officer and to the Secretary of the deanery synod.] E

(2) Where a casual vacancy among the members of a diocesan synod elected by either house of a deanery synod occurs, the vacancy may be filled by the election by that house of a person qualified to be so elected, and a meeting of the members of that house who are electors may be held for that purpose.

(3) Subject to paragraphs (1), (2) and (6) of this rule, casual vacancies among persons elected under these rules shall be filled [F503 and elections to fill such casual vacancies shall be] conducted in the same manner as ordinary elections. [F504 The qualifying date for diocesan electors shall be determined in accordance with rule 35(5).]

(4) Elections to fill casual vacancies shall, where possible, be held at such times as will enable all casual vacancies among representatives of the laity who are electors to be filled at the time of every election to the House of Laity of the General Synod, but no such election shall be invalid by reason of any casual vacancies not having been so filled.]

[F505 (5) (a) Subject to the provisions of this rule, an election to fill a casual vacancy in the House of Laity shall be completed, so far as possible, within six months from the occurrence of the vacancy and, in the event of the vacancy not being filled within that period, the Chairman of the House of Laity of the General Synod may give directions to the presiding officer as to the date by which the vacancy must be filled. E

(b) Where a casual vacancy occurs in the House of Laity of the General Synod and the period for holding a general election to that House is due to begin within twelve months of the vacancy, the vacancy shall not be filled unless the lay members of the bishop’s council and standing committee, acting in accordance with any directions of the diocesan synod, otherwise direct.

(c) Where a casual vacancy in the House of Laity of the General Synod occurs within the period of two years—

(i) beginning with 1st August in the year of the last general election to that House, or

(ii) beginning with the date of the declaration of the result of an election to fill a casual vacancy where the election was conducted by voting papers in the same manner as a general election;]

. . . [F506 the election to fill the casual vacancy shall be conducted by those papers in accordance with paragraph (6) of this rule.].

[F507 (6) (a) Where the election is to be conducted by the voting papers of a general election, the number of persons to be elected shall be the same as in the general election, provided that no continuing candidate elected during the original count shall be excluded. E

(b) Where the election is to be conducted by the voting papers of an election other than the general election, the number of persons to be elected shall be calculated by adding together the number of persons previously elected using these voting papers who are still continuing as elected persons, and the number of casual vacancies to be filled, provided that no continuing candidate elected during the original count shall be excluded.

(c) The presiding officer for the area in question shall ask every candidate not elected in the previous election who is still qualified for election for the diocese in question if he consents to serve.

(d) If the number of candidates is the same as the places to be filled and he or they so consent or only one of those candidates so consents he shall be elected to fill the casual vacancy.

(e) If more candidates than places to be filled so consent the votes validly cast in the preceding election shall be recounted from the beginning in accordance with the rules mentioned in rule 39(8), the presiding officer having first withdrawn those candidates who do not consent or are no longer eligible for election.]

[F508 (7) An election to fill a casual vacancy in either house of the diocesan synod shall be completed [F509 so far as possible] within six months from the occurrence of the vacancy, provided that where a casual vacancy occurs in either house and the period for holding a general election to that house is due to begin within nine months of the vacancy, the vacancy shall not be filled unless the members of the bishop’s council and standing committee who are from the same house otherwise direct.]

[F510 (8)] The preceding provisions of this rule shall apply, so far as applicable and with the necessary modifications, to the choosing of persons under these rules as it applies to the election of persons thereunder, and shall also apply to the election or choosing of members of any body constituted under or in accordance with these rules.

[F510 (9)] Any person elected to fill a casual vacancy shall hold office only for the unexpired portion of the term of office of the person in whose place he is elected or chosen.

F511 (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F512 [F513 (11)] In calculating the period of six months referred to in paragraphs (5) and (7) of this rule—

(a) where during the course of an election irregularities are found which are of such a kind that the presiding officer is of the opinion that he should declare the proceedings null and void, he shall so declare and shall notify all electors of the declaration and shall cause a fresh election to be held which shall be completed within the period of six months from the date of the notice to the electors of the fresh election;

(b) where in an appeal a determination is made that there has been no valid election and the presiding officer is directed to hold a fresh election, the period of six months shall run from the date of such direction.

[F513 (12)] In this rule the expression “casual vacancy” includes the case where insufficient candidates have been nominated to fill the places available.]

Textual Amendments

F500 Sch. 3 rule 48 (originally 39) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 47.

F501 Rule 39(1)—(4) substituted for Rule 39(1) by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 27(1).

F502 Sch. 3 rule 39(1) substituted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 14(1).

F503 Words substituted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 14(2).

F504 Words in Sch. 3 rule 48 para. (3) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 47.

F505 Sch. 3 rule 39(5) substituted for paras. (5)(6) by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 14(3).

F506 Words in Sch. 3 rule 48 para. (5)(c) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 48.

F507 Sch. 3 rule 48(6) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 19, 24(3)

F508 Sch. 3 rule 39(7) inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 14(5).

F509 Words in Sch. 3 rule 48 para. (7) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 50.

F510 Rule 39(8)(9) (originally 39(3)(4)) re-numbered by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 27(4).

F511 Sch. 3 rule 48 para. (10) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 50.

F512 Sch. 3 rule 39 paras. (11)(12) inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 14(7).

F513 Sch. 3 rule 48 paras. (10)-(11) (originally (11)-(12)) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 50.

Resignations E

[F514 [F515 49] E Any person holding any office under these rules or being a member of any body constituted by or under these rules may resign his office or membership by notice in writing signed by him and sent or given to the secretary of the body of which he is an officer or member, as the case may be; and his resignation shall take effect on the date specified in the notice or, if no date is so specified, on the receipt of the notice by the secretary of that body.]

Textual Amendments

F514 Rule 40 substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 28

F515 Sch. 3 rule 49 (originally 40) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51.

Notices E

[F516 50] E Any notice or other document required or authorised to be sent or given under these rules shall be deemed to have been duly sent or given if sent through the post addressed to the person to whom it is required or authorised to be sent or given at that person’s last known address.

Textual Amendments

F516 Sch. 3 rule 50 (originally 41) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51.

[F517 Constraints in Elections E

Textual Amendments

F517 Sch. 3 rule 41A inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 15

[F518 51] (1) If in any election conducted in accordance with these rules it is a requirement that a given number or not less than a given number of places of those elected shall be filled by candidates of a named category, the presiding officer shall follow the procedure set out in paragraphs (2) to (4) of this rule. E

(2) The presiding officer shall examine the nomination papers to ascertain if the number of candidates nominated in any named category is less than or equal to the required given number.

(3) If the number of candidates nominated in any named category is less than or equal to the required given number, those candidates shall be declared to be elected and their names shall not be included on the voting paper and thereafter the requirement shall be disregarded and the election shall proceed with the number of seats to be filled being reduced by the number of persons declared elected.

(4) The presiding officer shall circulate with the voting papers a separate notice giving the names of any who have been declared elected in accordance with paragraph [F519 (3) of this rule].]

Textual Amendments

F518 Sch. 3 rule 51 (originally 41A) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51.

F519 Words in Sch. 3 rule 51(4) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

Revocation and Variation of Rules, etc. E

[F520 52] E Subject to the provisions of these rules any power conferred by these rules to make, approve, frame, pass or adopt any rule, order, resolution, determination, decision, appointment or scheme, or to give any consent or settle any constitution, or to prescribe the manner of doing anything, shall be construed as including a power, exercisable in a like manner and subject to the like conditions, to revoke or vary any such rule, order, resolution, determination, decision, appointment, scheme, consent or constitution, or anything so prescribed.

Textual Amendments

F520 Sch. 3 rule 52 (originally 42) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51.

Special Provisions E

[F521 53] (1) In the carrying out of these rules in any diocese the bishop of such diocese shall have power:— E

(a) to make provision for any matter not herein provided for;

(b) to appoint a person to do any act in respect of which there has been any neglect or default on the part of any person or body charged with any duty under these rules;

(c) so far as may be necessary for the purpose of giving effect to the intention of these rules, to extend or alter the time for holding any meeting or election or to modify the procedure laid down by these rules in connection therewith [F522 provided that such power shall not be exercised in relation to the conduct of the elections referred to in Rules [F523 39 and 48] of these Rules;]

[F524 (d) [F525 Subject to [F526 paragraph (1)(c) of this rule]] in any case in which any difficulties arise, to give any directions which he may consider expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulties.]

(2) The powers of the bishop under this rule shall not enable him:—

(a) to validate anything that was invalid at the time when it was done;

(b) to give any direction that is contrary to any resolution of the General Synod.

(3) No proceedings of any body constituted under these rules shall be invalidated by any vacancy in the membership of that body or by any defect in the qualification, election or appointment of any members thereof.

(4) No proceedings shall be invalidated by the use of a form which differs from that prescribed by these rules if the form which has in fact been used is to a substantially similar effect. Any question as to whether the form which has been used is to a substantially similar effect shall be determined by the bishop.

(5) In the case of an omission in any parish to prepare or maintain a roll or form or maintain a council or to hold the annual meeting, the rural dean upon such omission being brought to his notice shall ascertain and report to the bishop the cause thereof.

[F527 (6) During a vacancy in an archbishopric or where by reason of illness an archbishop is unable to exercise his functions under these rules or to appoint a commissary under paragraph (10) of this rule the functions of an archbishop under these rules shall be exercisable by the other archbishop.

(7) During a vacancy in a diocesan bishopric the functions of a diocesan bishop under these rules, including his functions as [F528 president of] the diocesan synod, shall be exercisable by such person, being a person in episcopal orders, as the archbishop of the province may appoint.

(8) Where by reason of illness a diocesan bishop is unable to exercise his functions under these rules or to appoint a commissary under paragraph (10) of this rule, the archbishop of the province may, if he thinks it necessary or expedient to do so, appoint a person in episcopal orders to exercise the functions mentioned in paragraph (7) of this rule during the period of the bishop’s illness.

(9) If a person appointed in pursuance of paragraph (7) or (8) of this rule becomes unable by reason of illness to act under the appointment, the archbishop may revoke the appointment and make a fresh one.

(10) An archbishop or diocesan bishop may appoint a commissary and delegate to him all or any of the functions of the archbishop or bishop under these rules, but if a bishop proposes to delegate to a commissary his functions as [F528 president of] the diocesan synod he shall appoint a person in episcopal orders as commissary.

(11) If a person appointed in pursuance of paragraph (7) or (8) of this rule, or a person to whom the functions of a bishop as [F529 president of the diocesan synod are delegated under paragraph [F530 (10) of this rule]], is a member of the house of clergy of the diocesan synod, his membership of that house shall be suspended during the period for which the appointment or delegation has effect.].

[F531 (12) The preceding provisions of this rule shall have effect in the diocese in Europe as if the references to such of these rules as apply in that diocese, and subject to paragraph (6) of the rule, the powers of an archbishop under this rule shall, as respects that diocese, be exercisable by the Archbishop of Canterbury.]

Textual Amendments

F521 Sch. 3 rule 53 (originally 43) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51.

F522 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 28

F523 Words in Sch. 3 rule 53(1)(c) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F524 Sch. 3 rule 43(1)(d) omitted and para. (e) renumbered (d) as provided by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 16(1)(2)

F525 Words inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 16(1)(2)

F526 Words in Sch. 3 rule 53(1)(d) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F527 Rule 43(6)—(11) substituted for rule 43(6)(7) by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 29

F528 Words substituted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 16(1)

F529 Words substituted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 16(2)

F530 Words in Sch. 3 rule 43(11) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F531 Rule 43(12) inserted by Diocese in Europe Measure 1980 (No. 2, SIF 21:1), Sch. 2 para. 7

Meaning of Minister, Parish and other words and phrases E

[F532 54] (1) In these rules:— E

• F533 . . .

• F533 . . .

• [F534 “actual communicant” means a person who has received Communion according to the use of the church of England or of a Church in communion with the Church of England at least three times during the twelve months preceding the date of his election or appointment being a person whose name is on the roll of a parish and is either—

  (a)

  confirmed or ready and desirous of being confirmed; or

  (b)

  receiving the Holy Communion in accordance with the provisions of Canon B 15A paragraph 1(b)]

• [F535 ’auditor’ shall mean a person eligible as the auditor of a charity under [F536 section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011];

• ’independent examiner’ shall mean a person as defined in [F537 section 145(1)(a) of the Charities Act 2011];]

  • “the Measure” means the Synodical Government Measure 1969;

  • “minister” means:—

  (a)

  the incumbent of a parish;

  (b)

  a curate licensed to the charge of a parish or a minister acting as priest-in-charge of a parish in respect of which rights of presentation are suspended; and

  (c)

  a vicar in a team ministry to the extent that the duties of a minister are assigned to him by a F538 . . . [F539 pastoral scheme or order]or his license from the bishop;

  • “parish” means:—

  (a)

  an ecclesiastical parish; and

  (b)

  a district which is constituted a “conventional district” for the cure of souls . . . F540 .

  (c)

  [F541 in relation to the Diocese in Europe, a chaplaincy which is constituted as part of the diocese.]

  (d)

  F542 ...

  • “public worship” means public worship according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.

(2) Any reference in these rules to the laity shall be construed as a reference to persons other than Clerks in Holy Orders, and the expression “lay” in these rules shall be construed accordingly.

[F543 (3) Where a person has executed a deed of relinquishment under the M6 Clerical Disabilities Act 1870 and the deed has been enrolled in the High Court and recorded in the registry of a diocese under that Act then, unless and until the vacation of the enrolment of the deed is recorded in such a registry under the M7 Clerical Disabilities Act 1870 (Amendment) Measure 1934, that person shall be deemed not to be a clerk in Holy Orders for the purpose of paragraph [F544 (2) of this rule] or of any other provision of these rules which refers to such a clerk.]

[F545 (4)] References in these rules to the cathedral church of the diocese shall include, in the case of the dioceses of London and Oxford, references to Westminster Abbey and St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, respectively.

[F545 (5)] If any question arises . . . F546 whether a Church is a . . . F546 Church in communion with the Church of England, it shall be conclusively determined for the purposes of these rules by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

[F545 (6)] In these rules words importing residence include residence of a regular nature but do not include residence of a casual nature.

[F545 (7)] Any reference herein to “these rules” shall be construed as including a reference to Appendices hereto.

[F547 (8) (a) In these rules any matters or regulations to be prescribed shall be prescribed by the [F548 Business Committee of the General Synod] of the General Synod in accordance with the following procedure. E

(b) Any matters or regulations made under this rule shall be laid before the General Synod and shall not come into force until they have been approved by the General Synod, whether with or without amendment.

(c) Where the [F548 Business Committee of the General Synod] determines that matters or regulations made under this rule do not need to be debated by the General Synod then, unless—

(i) notice is given by a member of the General Synod in accordance with Standing Orders that he wishes the business to be debated, or

(ii) notice is so given by any such member that he wishes to move an amendment to the business,

the matters or regulations shall for the purposes of sub-paragraph (b) above be deemed to have been approved by the General Synod without amendment.]

Textual Amendments

F532 Sch. 3 rule 54 (originally 44) renumbered (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51.

F533 Sch. 3 rule 54 para. (1): Definitions of “actual communicant member of the Church of England” and “actual communicant member of a Church in communion with the Church of England” omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51(a).

F534 Sch. 3 rule 54 para. (1): Definition of “actual communicant” inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51(a).

F535 Sch. 3 rule 54 para. (1): Definitions of “auditor” and “independent examiner” inserted (1.5.1996) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 8.

F536 Words in Sch. 3 rule 54(1) substituted (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), s. 355, Sch. 7 para. 21(3)(a) (with s. 20(2), Sch. 8)

F537 Words in Sch. 3 rule 54(1) substituted (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), s. 355, Sch. 7 para. 21(3)(b) (with s. 20(2), Sch. 8)

F538 Sch. 3 rule 54 para. (1): Words in definition of “minister” omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51.

F539 Sch. 3 rule 54 para. (1): Words in definition of “minister” inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51.

F540 Words repealed by S.I. 1980/178, para. 17(1).

F541 Sch. 3 rule 54 para. (1): para. (c) in definition of “parish” inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51(b).

F542 Words in Sch. 3 rule 54(1) omitted (1.1.2004) by virtue of Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 2003 (No. 1), ss. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 8; 2003 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

F543 Rule 44(3) inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 17(2).

F544 Words in Sch. 3 rule 54(3) amended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 63, Sch.

F545 Rule 44(4)—(7) (originally 44(3)—(6)) renumbered by S.I. 1980/178, para. 17(3).

F546 Words repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 30(2).

F547 Sch. 3 rule 54 para. (8) inserted (1.5.1996) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 9.

F548 Words in Sch. 3 rule 54 para. (8)(a)(c) substituted (1.1.1999) by 1998 No. 1, s. 13(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(e); Instrument dated 14.10.1998 made by Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

Marginal Citations

M6 1870 c.91 (21:5).

M7 1934 No. 1 (21:5).

APPENDIX I E

section 1 E

F549 F550 F551 APPLICATION FOR ENROLMENT ON CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLE E

Textual Amendments

F549 Words "I am baptised" inserted (1.1.2015) after the words ", am a lay person" in Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 1 by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2014 (S.I. 2014/2113), paras. 1(3)(b), 16 (with para. 1(4))

F550 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 1 substituted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 52

F551 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 1: the words "Preferred title (if any)" inserted after the words "Full name" on new line (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 20, 24(3)

SECTION 2 E FORM OF NOTICE OF REVISION OF CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL

Diocese of

Parish of

*NOTE—The Revision must be completed not less than 15 days or more than 28 days before the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.

Notice is hereby given that the Church Electoral Roll of the above parish will be revised by the Parochial Church Council,* beginning on the day of 19 and ending on , the day of 19 After such Revision, a copy of the Roll will forthwith be exhibited [F552 for not less than 14 days] on, or near to, the principal door of the Parish Church for inspection.

Textual Amendments

F552 Words inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 17(1)

F553 . . .

Textual Amendments

F553 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 2: Paragraph beginning “Under the Church Representation Rules” omitted (1.1.1995) by vitue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 53.

[F554 Under the Church Representation Rules any [F555 lay] persons are entitled to have their names entered on the roll, if they—

Textual Amendments

F554 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 2: Paragraph beginning “Under the Church Representation Rules” inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 53.

F555 Word in Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 2 inserted (1.1.2015) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2014 (S.I. 2014/2113), paras. 1(3)(b), 17 (with para. 1(4))

(i) are baptized and aged 16 or over;

(ii) have signed a form of application for enrolment;

and either

(iii) are members of the Church of England or of any Church in communion with the Church of England being resident in the parish or (not being resident in the parish) having habitually attended public worship in the parish during the six months prior to the application for enrolment; or;

(iv) are members in good standing of a Church (not in communion with the Church of England) which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity declaring themselves to be also members of the Church of England and having habitually attended public worship in the parish during the period of six months prior to enrolment.]

. . . F556

Textual Amendments

F556 Words repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 32(b)

[F557 Forms of application for enrolment can be obtained from the undersigned. In order to be entitled to attend the annual parochial church meeting and to take part in its proceedings, forms of application for enrolment must be returned by the date shown above for the ending of the revision of the Church Electoral Roll by the Parochial Church Council.]

Textual Amendments

F557 Words substituted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 17(2)

Any error discovered in the Roll should at once be reported to the undersigned.

*Not less than 14 days notice must be given.	Dated this*........................ day of.................... 19.....
	[F558 Church]Electoral Roll Officer
	Address

Textual Amendments

F558 Word inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 32(c)

F559 [In this Notice “parish” means an ecclesiastical parish.]

Textual Amendments

F559 Note inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 29(2)

SECTION 3 E FORM OF NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF NEW ROLL

Diocese of

Parish of

*NOTE—The new roll must be completed not less than 15 days or more than 28 days before the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.	Notice is hereby given that under the Church Representation Rules a new Church Electoral Roll is being prepared. All persons who wish to have their names entered on the new Roll, whether their names are entered on the present Roll or not, are requested to apply for enrolment . . . F560 not later than
	The new roll will come into operation on
	[F561 The new Roll shall be published for not less than 14 days. Forms of application for enrolment can be obtained from the undersigned. In order to be entitled to attend the annual parochial church meeting and to take part in its proceedings, forms of application for enrolment must be returned by the earlier of the dates given above.]

Textual Amendments

F560 Words repealed by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 17(3)

F561 Words substituted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 17(4)

F562 . . .

Textual Amendments

F562 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 3: Paragraph beginning “Under the Church Representation Rules” omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 53.

[F563 Under the Church Representation Rules any [F564 lay] persons are entitled to have their names entered on the roll, if they—

Textual Amendments

F563 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 3: Paragraph beginning “Under the Church Representation Rules” inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 53.

F564 Word in Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 3 inserted (1.1.2015) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2014 (S.I. 2014/2113), paras. 1(3)(b), 18 (with para. 1(4))

(i) are baptized and aged 16 or over;

(ii) have signed a form of application for enrolment;

and either

(iii) are members of the Church of England or of any Church in communion with the Church of England being resident in the parish or (not being resident in the parish) having habitually attended public worship in the parish during the six months prior to the application for enrolment; or;

(iv) are members in good standing of a Church (not in communion with the Church of England) which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity declaring themselves to be also members of the Church of England and having habitually attended public worship in the parish during the period of six months prior to enrolment.]

. . . F565

Textual Amendments

F565 Words repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 32(b)

Any error discovered on the Roll should at once be reported to the undersigned.

Dated this.......................day of 19.....

[F566 Church]Electoral Roll Officer

Textual Amendments

F566 Word inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 32(c)

Address

[F567 In this Notice “parish” means an ecclesiastical parish.]

Textual Amendments

F567 Note inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 29(2)

SECTION 4 E NOTICE OF ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

Parish of

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be held in

on day of

at

For the election of Parochial representatives of the laity as follows:—

[F568 *To the Deanery Synod representatives.]

Textual Amendments

F568 Entries transferred by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 33(2)

[F568 To the Parochial Church Council representatives.]

F569 . . . F570 . . . [F571 For the appointment of Sidesmen and the Independent Examiner or Auditor].

Textual Amendments

F569 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 4: Words omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 54.

F570 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 4: Words “For the appointment of sidesmen and the Auditor” expressed to be omitted (1.5.1997) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 10.

F571 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 4: Words inserted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 10.

For the consideration of:—

F572 (a). . .

[F573 (a) A report on changes in the Roll since the last annual parochial church meeting.]

F574 (b). . .

F574 (c). . .

F574 (d). . .

F574 (e). . .

[F575 (b) an Annual Report on the proceedings of the parochial church council and the activities of the parish generally;

F575 (c) The Financial Statements of the Council for the year ending on the 31st December immediately preceding the meeting audited or independently examined.]

[F576 (d)] A Report upon the fabric, goods and ornaments of the church or churches of the parish;

[F576 (e)] A Report on the proceedings of the Deanery Synod; and other matters of parochial or general Church interest.

Textual Amendments

F572 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 4 para. (a) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 55.

F573 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 4 para. (a) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 55.

F574 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 4 paras. (b)-(e) omitted (1.5.1996) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 11.

F575 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 4 paras. (b)(c) inserted (1.5.1996) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 11.

F576 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 4 paras. (d)(e) (originally (f)(g)) renumbered (1.5.1996) of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 11.

[F577 Notes]

Textual Amendments

F577 Word in Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 4 inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 55

[F578 (1)] All persons whose names are entered upon the Church Electoral Roll of the parish (and such persons only) are entitled to vote at the election of parochial representatives of the laity.

Textual Amendments

F578 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 4: paragraph beginning "All persons" renumbered (1.1.1995) as Note (1) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 55

F579 . . .

Textual Amendments

F579 Para. repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 33(3)

F580 . . .

Textual Amendments

F580 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 4: Paragraphs beginning “Subject to” omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 56.

F580 . . .

F581 . . .

Textual Amendments

F581 Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 4: Paragraph beginning “Any person” omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 56.

[F582 (2) Subject to the provisions of rule 12(2)(c), a person is qualified to be a parochial representative of the laity if—

Textual Amendments

F582 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 4 Notes (2)(3) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 56

(a) his name is entered on the church electoral roll of the parish [F583 and, unless he is under the age of eighteen years at the date of the election, has been so entered for at least the preceding period of six months];

Textual Amendments

F583 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 4 Note (2)(a) added (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 17(a), 19(3)(b)

(b) he is an actual communicant which means that he has received Communion according to the use of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with the Church of England at least three times during the twelve months preceding the date of the election; and

[F584 (c) he is of sixteen years or upwards;]

Textual Amendments

F584 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 4 Note (2)(c) substituted (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 17(b), 19(3)(b)

[F585 (d) he is not disqualified as referred to in paragraph 3 of these Notes.]

Textual Amendments

F585 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 4 Note (2)(d) inserted (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 21(a), 24(3)

[F586 (3) (a) A person shall be disqualified from being nominated, chosen or elected or from serving as a churchwarden, a member of a parochial church council, a district church council or any synod under these rules if he is disqualified from being a charity trustee under [F587 section 178 of the Charities Act 2011 and the disqualification is not for the time being subject to a general waiver by the Charity Commission under section 181 of that Act or to a waiver by it under that section] in respect of all ecclesiastical charities established for purposes relating to the parish concerned.

In this paragraph “ecclesiastical charity" has the same meaning as that assigned to that expression in the Local Government Act 1894;

(b) A person shall also be disqualified from being nominated, chosen or elected from serving as a churchwarden or member of a parochial church council if he has been so disqualified from holding office under section 10(6) of the Incumbent (Vacation of Benefice) Measure 1997.]

Textual Amendments

F586 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 4 Note (3) inserted by (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 21(b), 24(3)

F587 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 4 Note 3 substituted (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), s. 355, Sch. 7 para. 21(4) (with s. 20(2), Sch. 8)

[F588 (4)] Any person whose name is on the electoral roll may be appointed as a sidesman.]

Textual Amendments

F588 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 4 Notes (3), (4) renumbered as Notes (4), (5) (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 21(b), 24(3)

[F589 [F588 (5)]** A scheme is in operation in this parish which provides that any person entitled to vote in the elections of parochial representatives of the laity to the parochial church council or to the deanery synod or to both that council and that synod may make application on the appropriate form to the undersigned for a postal vote. The completed form must be received before the commencement of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.

Textual Amendments

F589 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 4 Note inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 17(5) and renumbered (1.1.1995) as Note (4) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 56

** This paragraph should be deleted if no scheme for postal voting is in operation in the parish.]

Signed

**Minister of the parish

**Include where applicable.

**Or “Vice-Chairman of the Parochial Church Council” as the case may be (see rule 6(3) of the Church Representation Rules).

[F590 In this Notice “parish” means an ecclesiastical parish.]

Textual Amendments

F590 Note inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 29(2)

[F591 SECTION 4A E APPLICATION FOR A POSTAL VOTE

Textual Amendments

F591 Section 4A inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 17(6)

Parish of

I (Full Christian name and surname)

of (Full postal address)

declare that my name is entered on the church electoral roll of the above parish and I hereby make application for a postal vote in any elections to which postal voting applies to be held at the forthcoming annual parochial church meeting for the parish. The voting paper should be sent or delivered to me at the above address OR *at the following address

Dated ............................19

Signed

*delete as appropriate]

SECTION 5 E NOTICE OF ELECTION TO HOUSE OF CLERGY OR HOUSE OF LAITY OF DIOCESAN SYNOD

Diocese of

Deanery of

1 E An election of......... members of the House of Clergy/Laity of the Diocesan Synod will be held in the above Deanery on

2 E Candidates must be nominated and seconded by qualified electors on forms to be obtained from

[F592 All members, other than co-opted members F593 . . ., of the House of Clergy/Laity of the deanery synod are qualified electors.]

Textual Amendments

F592 Para. inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 34

F593 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 5 para. 2 omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 51.

[F594 3 E The election will be decided by simple majority/ [F595 the single transferable vote.]]

Textual Amendments

F594 S. 5(3) inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 18(4)

F595 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 29(3)

[F596 4] E F597 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date

Presiding Officer.

Textual Amendments

F596 S. 5(4) (originally 5(3)) renumbered by S.I. 1980/178, para. 18(4)

F597 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 5(4) omitted (1.1.2015) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2014 (S.I. 2014/2113), paras. 1(3)(b), 19 (with para. 1(4))

SECTION 6 E FORM OF NOMINATION TO THE HOUSE OF CLERGY OR HOUSE OF LAITY OF THE DIOCESAN SYNOD

Diocese of

Deanery of

Election of members of the House of Clergy/Laity of the Diocesan Synod

We the undersigned, being qualified electors, hereby nominate the following person as a candidate at the election in the above Deanery.

Surname	[F598 Christian Names]	Address . . . F599	[F600 Year of birth]

Textual Amendments

F598 Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 35

F599 Words repealed by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 17(7)

F600 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 6 substituted (1.1.2015) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2014 (S.I. 2014/2113), paras. 1(3)(b), 20 (with para. 1(4))

Proposer’s signature

Proposer’s full name

Address

Seconder’s signature

Seconder’s full name

Address

I, the above named .................... [F601 declare that I am not subject to any disqualification referred to in the Notes on this form and] hereby signify my willingness to serve as a member of the House of Clergy/Laity of the Diocesan Synod if elected.

Textual Amendments

F601 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 6: words inserted (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 22(a), 24(3)

Candidate’s signature

Note: This nomination must be sent to

F602 ...

Textual Amendments

F602 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 6 omitted (1.1.2015) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2014 (S.I. 2014/2113), paras. 1(3)(b), 20 (with para. 1(4))

[F603 All members, other than co-opted members F604 . . ., of the House of Clergy/Laity of the deanery synod are qualified electors]

Textual Amendments

F603 Para. inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 35

F604 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 6 omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 56.

[F605 Disqualifications from being nominated (rule 46A)

Textual Amendments

F605 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 6: words inserted (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 22(b), 24(3)

A person is disqualified from being nominated for membership of any Synod if he is disqualified from being a charity trustee under [F606 section 178 of the Charities Act 2011 and the disqualification is not for the time being subject to a general waiver by the Charity Commission under section 181 of that Act or to a waiver by it under that section] in respect of all ecclesiastical charities established for purposes relating to the parish concerned.

Textual Amendments

F606 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 6 substituted (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), s. 355, Sch. 7 para. 21(5) (with s. 20(2), Sch. 8)

In this paragraph “ecclesiastical charity" has the same meaning as that assigned to that expression in the Local Government Act 1894.]

SECTION 7 E FORM OF VOTING PAPER FOR ELECTIONS TO THE HOUSE OF CLERGY OR THE HOUSE OF LAITY OF THE DIOCESAN SYNOD

Diocesan Synod

Election of members of the House of Clergy/Laity

Deanery of

members to be elected.

Voting Paper

[F607 Mark your vote in this column]	Candidates’ names, addresses [F608 and year of birth] . . . F609

Textual Amendments

F607 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 7 text amended (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 17(d), 19(3)(b)

F608 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 7 inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 59.

F609 Words repealed by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 17(8)

[F610 Guidance to Voters]

Textual Amendments

F610 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 29(4)

1. This voting paper must be signed [F610 and the full name written on the reverse].

2. You have as many votes as there are members to be elected.

3. You may not give more than one vote to any one candidate.

4. You vote by placing an “X” opposite the name(s) of the candidate(s) of your choice.

5. If you inadvertently spoil your voting paper you may return it to the Presiding Officer who will give you another paper.

6. This voting paper duly [F610 completed on the reverse thereof] must be delivered (by post or otherwise) to

so as to arrive by no later than

[F611 (To be printed on back of form)]

Textual Amendments

F611 Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 18(5)

Signature of Voter

Full name

Address

[F612 SECTION 8] E FORM OF VOTING PAPER FOR ELECTION TO THE HOUSE OF CLERGY OR THE HOUSE OF LAITY OF THE DIOCESAN SYNOD

Textual Amendments

F612 Form inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 18(6), Sch.

Diocesan Synod

Election of members of the House of Clergy/Laity

Deanery of

members to be elected.

Voting Paper

[F613 Mark your vote in this column]	Candidates’ names, addresses [F614 and year of birth] . . . F615

Textual Amendments

F613 Sch. 3 Appendix 1 s. 8 text amended (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 17(d), 19(3)(b)

F614 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix I s. 8 inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 59.

F615 Words repealed by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 17(8)

[F616 Guidance to Voters]

Textual Amendments

F616 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 29(5)

1. This voting paper must be signed and the full name written on the reverse.

2. Use your single transferable vote by entering “1” against your first preference, and if desired, “2” against your second preference, “3” against your third preference, and so on as far as you wish. The sequence of your preferences is crucial. NO CROSS should be used.

3. You should continue to express preferences for as long as you are able to place successive candidates in order. A later preference is considered only if an earlier preference either has a surplus above the quota (the minimum number required to guarantee election) or has been excluded because of insufficient support.

4. The numbering of your preferences must be consecutive and given to different candidates. Remember that your making a second or subsequent preference cannot affect the chances of any earlier preference.

5. If you inadvertently spoil your voting paper you may return it to the Presiding Officer who will give you another paper.

6. The voting paper duly completed on the reverse thereof must be delivered (by post or otherwise) to

so as to arrive by no later than

(to be printed on back of form)	Signature of Voter
	Full name
	Address

APPENDIX II E

general provisions relating to parochial church councils E

Officers of the council. E

1 (a) The minister of the parish shall be chairman of the parochial church council (hereinafter referred to as “the council”).

(b) A lay member of the council shall be elected as vice-chairman of the council.

(c) During the vacancy of the benefice [F617 or] when the chairman is incapacitated by absence or illness or any other cause [F618 or when the minister invites him to do so] the vice-chairman of the council shall act as chairman and have all the powers vested in the chairman.

[F619 (d) (i) The Council may appoint one of their number to act as secretary of the Council. Failing such appointment the office of secretary shall be discharged by some other fit person who shall not thereby become a member of the Council, provided that such person may be co-opted to the Council in accordance with the provisions of rule 14(1)(h);

(ii) where a person other than a member of the Council is appointed to act as secretary, that person may be paid such remuneration (if any) as the council deems appropriate provided that such person shall not be eligible to be a member of the council;]

[F620 (iii)] The secretary shall have charge of all documents relating to the current business of the council except that, unless he is the electoral roll officer; he shall not have charge of the roll. He shall be responsible for keeping the minutes, shall record all resolutions passed by the council and shall keep the secretary of the diocesan synod and deanery synod informed as to his name and address.

[F621 (e) (i) The council may appoint one or more of their number to act as treasurer solely or jointly. Failing such appointment, the office of treasurer shall be discharged either—

• by such of the churchwardens as are members of the council or, if there is only one such churchwarden, by that churchwarden solely; or

• by some other fit person who shall not thereby become a member of the council, provided that such person may be co-opted to the council in accordance with the provisions of rule 14(1)(h).

(ii) where a person other than a member of the Council is appointed to act as treasurer that person may be paid such remuneration (if any) as the Council deems appropriate provided that such person shall not be eligible to be a member of the Council.]

(f) The council shall appoint an electoral roll officer, who may but need not be a member of the council and may be the secretary, and if he is not a member may pay to him such remuneration as it shall think fit. He shall have charge of the roll.

F622 (g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F623 (g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F624 (g) If an independent examiner or auditor to the Council is not appointed by the annual meeting or if an independent examiner or auditor appointed by the annual meeting is unable or unwilling to act, an independent examiner or auditor (who shall not be a member of the council) shall be appointed by the council for a term of office ending at the close of the next annual meeting. The remuneration (if any) of the independent examiner or auditor shall be paid by the council.]

[F625 (h) For the purposes of this paragraph, where a special cure of souls in respect of a parish has been assigned to a vicar in a team ministry, or where there has been no such assignment but a special responsibility for pastoral care in respect of the parish has been assigned to a member of the team under section 20(8A) of the Pastoral Measure 1983, that vicar or that member, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the minister unless incapacitated by absence or illness or any other cause, in which case the rector in the team ministry shall be deemed to be the minister.]

Textual Amendments

F617 Word substituted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 19.

F618 Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 19.

F619 Sch. 3 Appendix 2 para. 1(d)(i)(ii) substituted for words (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 23(a), 24(3)

F620 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix 2 para. 1(d) renumbered as para. 1(d)(iii) (1.1.2000) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 23(a), 24(3)

F621 Sch. 3 Appendix 2 para. 1(e) substituted (1.1.2000) by virtue of The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I. 1999/2112), paras. 23(b), 24(3)

F622 Sch. 3 Appendix II para. (1)(g) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 61.

F623 Sch. 3 Appendix II para. (1)(g) omitted (1.5.1997) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 12.

F624 Sch. 3 Appendix II para. (1)(g) inserted (1.5.1997) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 12.

F625 Sch. 3 Appendix II para. (1)(h) inserted (1.5.1996) by 1995 No. 1, s. 11; Instrument dated 12.2.1996 made by Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

Meetings of Council. E

2 The council shall hold not less than four meetings in each year. Meetings shall be convened by the chairman and if not more than four meetings are held they shall be at quarterly intervals so far as possible.

Power to call meetings. E

3 The chairman may at any time convene a meeting of the council. If he refuse or neglect to do so within seven days after a requisition for that purpose signed by not less than one-third of the members of the council has been presented to him those members may forthwith convene a meeting.

Notices relating to meetings. E

4 (a) Except as provided in paragraph 8 of this Appendix, at least ten clear days before any meeting of the council notice thereof specifying the time and place of the intended meeting and signed by or on behalf of the chairman of the council or the persons convening the meeting shall be posted at or near the principal door of every church, or building licensed for public worship in the parish.

(b) Not less than seven days before the meeting a notice thereof specifying the time and place of the meeting signed by or on behalf of the secretary shall be [F626 posted or delivered] to every member of the council [F627 or, if the member has authorised the use of an electronic mail address, to that address]. Such notice shall contain the agenda of the meeting including any motion or other business proposed by any member of the council of which notice has been received by the secretary.

[F628 The notice required by this sub-paragraph shall not be required for a council meeting immediately following the annual parochial church meeting being a council meeting which has been called solely for the purpose of appointing or electing any officers of the Council or the members of the standing committee thereof provided that the notice required by sub-paragraph (a) hereof has been given.]

[F629 (c) If for some good and sufficient reason the chairman, vice-chairman and secretary , or any two of them, consider that a convened meeting should be postponed, noitce shall be given to every member of the council specifying a reconvened time and place within fourteen days of the postponed meeting.]

Textual Amendments

F626 Words substituted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 18(1)

F627 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix 2 para. 4(b) added (1.1.2005) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2004 (S.I. 2004/1889), paras. 18, 19(3)(b)

F628 Paragraph inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 18(1)

F629 Para. 4(c) inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 30(2)

Chairman at meetings. E

5 Subject to the provisions of [F630 rule 23] the chair at a meeting of the council shall be taken:—

[F631 (a) by the chairman of the council if he is present;

(b) if the chairman is not present, by the clerk in Holy Orders, licensed to or with permission to officiate in the parish duly authorised by the bishop with the clerk’s agreement, following a joint application by the minister of the parish and the council or, if the benefice is vacant, by the council for the purposes of this sub-paragraph;

(c) if neither the chairman of the council nor the clerk mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) above is present, by the vice-chairman of the council:]

Provided that at any such meeting the chairman [F632 presiding] shall, if he thinks it expedient to do so or the meeting so resolves, vacate the chair either generally or for the purposes of any business in which he has a personal interest or for any other particular business.

Should [F633 none of the persons mentioned above] be available to take the chair for any meeting or for any particular item on the agenda during a meeting then a chairman shall be chosen by those members present from among their number and the person so chosen shall preside for that meeting or for that particular item.

Textual Amendments

F630 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix 2 substituted (1.1.2010) by The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2009 (S.I. 2009/2129), paras. 1(3), 6

F631 Sch. 3 Appendix 2 para. 5(a)-(c) substituted for Sch. 3 Appendix 2 para. 5(a)-(d) (1.1.2004) by Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 2003 (No. 1), ss. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 9(a); 2003 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

F632 Words substituted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 11(2)(a)

F633 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix 2 para. 5 substituted (1.1.2004) by Synodical Government (Amendment) Measure 2003 (No. 1), ss. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 9(b); 2003 No. 2, Instrument made by Archbishops

Quorum and agenda. E

6 No business shall be transacted at any meeting of the council unless at least one-third of the members are present thereat and no business which is not specified in the agenda shall be transacted at any meeting except by the consent of three-quarters of the members present at the meeting.

Order of business. E

7 The business of a meeting of the council shall be transacted in the order set forth in the agenda unless the council by resolution otherwise determine.

Short Notice for emergency meetings. E

8 In case of sudden emergency or other special circumstances requiring immediate action by the council a meeting may be convened by the chairman of the council at not less than three [F634 clear]days’ notice in writing to the members of the council but the quorum for the transaction of any business at such meetings shall be a majority of the then existing members of the council and no business shall be transacted at such meeting except as is specified in the notice convening the meeting.

Textual Amendments

F634 Word inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 36

Place of meetings. E

9 The meeting of the council shall be held at such place as the council may direct or in the absence of such direction as the chairman may direct.

Vote of majority to decide. E

10 The business of the Council shall be decided by a majority of the members present and voting thereon.

Casting vote. E

11 In the case of an equal division of votes the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

Minutes. E

12 (a) The names of the members present at any meeting of the council shall be recorded in the minutes.

(b) If one-fifth of the members present and voting on any resolution so require, the minutes shall record the names of the members voting for and against that resolution.

(c) Any member of the council shall be entitled to require that the minutes shall contain a record of the manner in which his vote was cast on any resolution.

F635 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F636 (d) Minutes of meetings of the council shall be available to all members of the Council.The members shall also have access to past minutes which the Chairman and Vice-Chairman jointly determine to be relevant to current Council business.

F637 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F638 (e) The independent examiner or auditor of the council’s financial statements, the bishop, the archdeacon and any person authorised by one of them in writing shall have access to the approved minutes of council meetings without the authority of the council.]

F636 (f) Other persons whose names are on the church electoral roll may have access to the approved minutes of Council meetings held after the annual parochial church meeting in 1995 except any minutes deemed by the Council to be confidential.

F636 (g) Other persons may have access to the minutes of Council meetings only in accordance with a specific authorisation of the Council provided that, where minutes have been deposited in the diocesan record office pursuant to the Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978, the authorisation of the council may be dispensed with.]

Textual Amendments

F635 Sch. 3 Appendix II para 12(d) omitted (1.1.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/3118, para. 62.

F636 Sch. 3 Appendix II paras. (d)-(g) inserted (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3118, para. 62.

F637 Sch. 3 Appendix II para. 12(e) omitted (1.5.1997) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3243, para. 13.

F638 Sch. 3 Appendix II para. 12(e) inserted (1.5.1997) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 13.

Adjournments. E

13 Any meeting of the council may adjourn its proceedings to such time and place as may be determined at such meeting.

Standing committee. E

14 (a) The council shall have a standing committee consisting of not less than five persons. The minister and such of the churchwardens as are members of the council shall be ex-officio members of the standing committee, and the council shall by resolution appoint at least two other members of the standing committee from among its own members and may remove any person so appointed. [F639 Unless removed from office, the appointed members shall hold office from the date of their appointment until the conclusion of the next annual meeting of the parish.]

(b) The standing committee shall have power to transact the business of the council between the meetings thereof subject to any directions given by the council.

Textual Amendments

F639 Words inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 18(3)

Other committees. E

15 The council may appoint other committees for the purpose of the various branches of church work in the parish and may include therein persons who are not members of the council. The minister shall be a member of all committees ex-officio.

[F640 16 E An independent examiner or auditor of the Council’s financial statements shall—

(a) have a right of access with respect to books, documents or other records (however kept) which relate to the said financial statements;

(b) have a right to require information and explanations from past or present treasurers or members of the council and, in case of default, the independent examiner or auditor may apply to [F641 the Charity Commission for an order for directions pursuant to section 155 of the Charities Act 2011] or any statutory modification thereof for the time being in force.]

Textual Amendments

F640 Sch. 3 Appendix II para. 16 inserted (1.5.1997) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 16.

F641 Words in Sch. 3 Appendix 2 substituted (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), s. 355, Sch. 7 para. 21(6) (with s. 20(2), Sch. 8)

Validity of proceedings. E

[F642 17] No proceedings of the council shall be invalidated by any vacancy in the membership of the council or by any defect in the qualification or election of any member thereof.

Textual Amendments

F642 Sch. 3 Appendix II para. 16 renumbered as para. 17 (1.5.1997) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 14.

Interpretation. E

[F643 18] Any question arising on the interpretation of this Appendix shall be referred to the bishop of the diocese and any decision given by him or by any person appointed by him on his behalf shall be final.

Textual Amendments

F643 Sch. 3 Appendix II para. 17 renumbered as para. 18 (1.5.1997) by S.I. 1995/3243, para. 14.

Section 4.

SCHEDULE 4 E Transitional Provisions

Extent Information

E3 For extent to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man see s. 9(3)-(5)

Transfer of Functions from Convocations E

1 (1) The transfer of functions from the Convocations of Canterbury and York to the General Synod on the appointed day shall not affect the validity of anything done by the Convocations before the appointed day in the exercise of those functions; and any Canons, Acts of Convocation, regulations, directions, instruments or other things made, given or done by the said Convocations in the exercise of those functions shall, if in force immediately before that day, continue in force and have effect as if they had been made, given or done by the General Synod. E

F644 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F644 Sch. 4 para. 1(2) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 6 Group 5

Reconstitution of Church Assembly E

2 (1) The reconstitution of the Church Assembly as the General Synod shall not affect the validity of anything done by the Assembly before the appointed day; and any orders, regulations, rules, directions, instruments or other things made, given or done by the Church Assembly and in force immediately before the appointed day shall continue in force and have effect as if they had been made, given or done by the Church Assembly reconstituted as the General Synod. E

(2) The reconstitution of the Church Assembly as the General Synod shall not affect any Boards, Commissions, Committees or other bodies of the Church Assembly which would otherwise continue in being, or any officers of the Church Assembly (which expression includes all persons in receipt of salaries paid from the Church Assembly Fund); and they shall continue as the Boards, Commissions, Committees, bodies and officers of the General Synod, but without prejudice to the making of such changes as the General Synod may determine in accordance with its constitution and standing orders.

F645 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F646 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F645 Sch. 4 para. 2(3) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 6 Group 5

F646 Sch. 4 para. 2(4) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 6 Group 5

Changes affecting Diocesan and Ruridecanal Conferences E

3 (1) The dissolution of a diocesan conference and the transfer of functions from the conference to a diocesan synod shall not affect the validity of anything done by the conference before its dissolution or affect the continuance in being of any other diocesan body; and any scheme, direction, appointment, election, resolution, notice, instrument or other thing given, made or done by the diocesan conference which could have been given, made or done by the diocesan synod shall, if in force immediately before the conference was dissolved, continue in force and have effect as given, made or done by the diocesan synod. E

F647 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F648 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F647 Sch. 4 para. 3(2) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 6 Group 5

F648 Sch. 4 para. 3(3) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 6 Group 5

Commencement of Church Representation Rules E

4 F649 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E

F650 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Any determination, resolution, appointment, ruling, consent or other thing made, given or done for the purposes of any provision of the Rules for the Representation of the Laity shall, if in effect immediately before the commencement of this Measure, continue to have effect, so far as applicable, for the purposes of any corresponding provision of the Church Representation Rules, and may be revoked or varied as if made under the last-mentioned Rules.

Textual Amendments

F649 Sch. 4 para. 4(1) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 6 Group 5

F650 Sch. 4 para. 4(2) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 6 Group 5

F651 5 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F651 Sch. 4 para. 5 repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 6 Group 5

Power to Remove Transitional Difficulties E

F652 6 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F652 Sch. 4 para. 6 repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 6 Group 5