Synodical Government Measure 1969

[F144(1)A diocesan synod must make standing orders.E

(2)The standing orders must include provision—

(a)for the bishop of the diocese not to be required to chair meetings where the standing orders make other provision in that respect;

(b)for a member of the house of clergy to be elected as chair of that house and a member of the house of laity to be elected as chair of that house;

(c)for there to be a secretary;

(d)for a specified number of meetings to be held each year, with the minimum being two;

(e)for a meeting to be held if at least a specified number of members request that;

(f)for the bishop of the diocese to have a second, casting vote where there is an equality of votes in the house of bishops;

(g)for enabling the bishop of the diocese to require his or her opinion on a matter to be recorded in the minutes;

(h)for there to be a bishop's council and standing committee of the synod which has such membership as the standing orders may provide and—

(i)the functions exercisable by it under section 4(4) of this Measure, and

(ii)such other functions as may be conferred by the standing orders or by or under this or any other Measure or by or under Canon.

(3)The standing orders must also include provision—

(a)that, subject as follows, the assent of the synod is given only if each of the three houses gives its assent;

(b)that if the bishop of the diocese so directs on a question other than one on an Article 8 matter referred to the synod, the assent of the house of bishops is given only if the majority of the members who give assent includes the bishop;

(c)that a question relating only to the conduct of business is to be decided by the votes of the members present and voting;

(d)that any other question is to be decided by the votes of the members present and voting (with the assent of each of the three houses presumed), unless the bishop of the diocese or any ten members require there to be a separate vote by each house;

(e)that if the house of clergy and the house of laity are in favour of an Article 8 matter referred to the synod, it is deemed to be approved for the purposes of Article 8 of the Constitution.

(4)The standing orders may include provision for such other matters consistent with the provision required under paragraphs (2) and (3) as the diocesan synod decides.

(5)The provision which may be made under paragraph (4) includes provision to enable the chair of the house of clergy and the chair of the house of laity of the diocesan synod each to continue to hold office as such until the election of his or her successor as chair.

(6)A person may not serve as a member of more than one bishop's council and standing committee at the same time.

(7)The registrar of the diocese is the registrar of the diocesan synod.

(8)A reference in this Rule to an Article 8 matter referred to a diocesan synod is a reference to a matter referred by the General Synod to that diocesan synod under Article 8 of the Constitution.]