The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 2009

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

This Resolution of the General Synod of the Church of England, which was passed in accordance with section 7(1) of the Synodical Government Measure 1969, amends the Church Representation Rules contained in Schedule 3 to that Measure.

Paragraph 1 deals with citation, interpretation and commencement.

Paragraph 2 amends a provision relating to the election of churchwardens.

Paragraph 3 amends provisions relating to joint parochial church councils, team councils and group councils to allow greater flexibility in relation to the manner of electing, choosing or appointing lay representatives to serve on such councils. The manner in which lay representatives are chosen will continue to be specified in the schemes that establish such councils but the amendments made by paragraph 3 would mean that provision for lay representation could be made which included, for example, ex officio lay representatives.

Paragraph 4 reduces the minimum size of diocesan synods from 120 to 100.

Paragraph 5 extends the period during which candidates may be nominated for election to diocesan synods from 14 to 21 days.

Paragraph 6 amends a provision relating to the chairmanship of parochial church council meetings.