Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007

19 Schemes with respect to discharge of functions of diocesan bodies corporate, etc.

(1) In this and the next following section “diocesan body” means any body corporate or unincorporate or committee established for a diocese or any part thereof, other than a diocesan synod or the bishop’s council and standing committee of a diocesan synod.

(2) A scheme under this section may make provision for one or more of the following purposes—

(a) for constituting a body corporate or unincorporate or committee to discharge in respect of such dioceses as are specified in the scheme the functions previously discharged in respect of each of those dioceses by such diocesan body as is so specified and for winding up or dissolving each such body;

(b) for empowering such diocesan bodies for such dioceses, or such parts of such dioceses, as are so specified to discharge any of their functions jointly and, in particular, to establish a joint committee to discharge any of the functions of each such body;

(c) for empowering such a diocesan body for such diocese as is so specified to arrange for any of its functions to be discharged by the corresponding diocesan body for such other diocese as is so specified or by a committee or sub-committee of that body.

(3) The bishops of the dioceses to which a scheme under this section is to apply (“the participating dioceses”) shall prepare a draft of such scheme and shall obtain the consent of the Commission to proceed with it.

(4) If the draft scheme would, if implemented, affect a charity, not being an exempt charity, the bishops of the participating dioceses shall cause a copy of the draft to be sent to the Charity Commission for it to advise and comment thereon.

(5) After any advice or comments made by the Charity Commission on the draft scheme have been received by the bishops of the participating dioceses and the bishops have made such amendments, if any, as they think fit, the bishops shall lay the draft scheme before the diocesan synod of every participating diocese for its approval unless the Charity Commission objects to the scheme including any amendments made in consequence of their advice or comments and, in such a case, the bishops shall not proceed with the scheme, but without prejudice to the making of a new scheme under this section.

(6) A copy of the draft scheme and of any advice or comments thereon made by the Charity Commission shall be sent to every member of the diocesan synod of every participating diocese at least six weeks before the session at which the draft scheme is considered.

(7) If the draft scheme is approved by the diocesan synod of every participating diocese, a copy of the draft scheme shall be signed by the bishops of the participating dioceses who shall thereby make the scheme.

(8) A scheme under this section shall come into operation on the first day of the month next following the making of the scheme or on such later date as may be specified therein.

(9) The bishop of each participating diocese shall send a copy of the scheme to the Commission and to the registrar of his diocese, and the registrar shall file it in the diocesan registry.