Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2024

Diocesan synods, deanery synods, PCCs, parochial church meetings etc.

1 After Rule 83 of the Church Representation Rules insert—

“83A Interpretation: remote meetings

(1) This Rule applies for the purposes of these Rules and for the purposes of any provision made by or under any other Measure or other instrument (whenever passed or made) about meetings of a body constituted by or under these Rules or about parochial church meetings.

(2) A reference to a meeting includes a reference to a meeting which persons may attend, speak at, vote in, or otherwise participate in without any, or without all, of the persons being together in the same place.

(3) A reference to a place where a meeting is held, or is to be held, includes a reference to more than one place, including electronic, digital or virtual locations, web addresses or conference call telephone numbers.

(4) A person is to be regarded as present at a meeting at any given time if the person is at that time able to hear and be heard by, and where practicable to see and be seen by, the other persons present.

(5) A reference to being present at a meeting includes a reference to being present by electronic means, including by telephone conference, video conference, live webcast or live interactive streaming.

(6) Relevant procedural rules are to be taken to provide, in so far as they do not already, for participation in meetings without any, or without all, of the persons being together in the same place; and for this purpose, “relevant procedural rules” are—

(a) in the case of a deanery synod, rules under Rule 26;

(b) in the case of a diocesan synod, standing orders under Rule 44;

(c) in the case of a parochial church meeting, rules of procedure under Rule M7.”