The redress fund etc.
20Power to take action to anticipate breach of charitable duties
(1)
If the Archbishops’ Council is satisfied by reference to matters specified in the rules that current circumstances are such that doing a certain thing would put the Council or any of its members at risk as referred to in section 19(3), the Council must issue a certificate to that effect in accordance with the rules.
(2)
A certificate under this section must include an explanation of how the Archbishops’ Council has come to be satisfied that those specified criteria are met.
(3)
The Archbishops’ Council, having issued a certificate under this section, may make provision for whatever consequential matters are necessary for securing that neither the Council nor any of its members is put at risk as referred to in section 19(3).
(4)
The matters for which provision may be made under subsection (3) include, for example—
(a)
pausing the operation of this Measure;
(b)
pausing the determination of certain applications under this Measure;
(c)
pausing or restricting payments from the redress fund;
(d)
varying the method of determining the amount of an award of redress.
(5)
Provision made under subsection (3) may apply for a definite or indefinite period.
(6)
The power to make provision under subsection (3) does not affect the power of the Rule Committee to amend the rules.
(7)
The Archbishops’ Council must cause a certificate issued under subsection (1) and an explanation of whatever provision it has made under subsection (3) in consequence of the certificate to be laid before the General Synod as soon as reasonably practicable after the issue of the certificate.
(8)
The Standing Orders of the General Synod must include provision giving the Synod an opportunity at the next group of sessions following the laying of the certificate and explanation under subsection (7)—
(a)
to consider the certificate and explanation, and
(b)
to question representatives of the Archbishops’ Council in connection with the certificate and explanation.
(9)
The Archbishops’ Council must have due regard to the view expressed by the General Synod on its consideration of the certificate and explanation.