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Synodical Government Measure 1969

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Point in time view as at 01/02/1991.

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Part IIE Parochial Church Meetings and Councils Annual Meetings

5(1)In every parish there shall be held not later than the 30th April in each year the annual parochial church meeting (hereafter in these rules referred to as “the annual meeting”).

(2)All lay persons whose names are entered on the roll of the parish shall be entitled to attend the annual meeting and to take part in its proceedings, and no other lay person shall be so entitled.

(3)A clerk in Holy Orders shall be entitled to attend the annual meeting of a parish and take part in its proceedings—

(a)if he is either beneficed in or licensed to the parish or any other parish in the area of the benefice to which the parish belongs; or

(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1

[F2(b)]if he is resident in the parish and is not beneficed in or licensed to any other parish.

[F3(c)if he is not resident in the parish and is not beneficed or licensed to any other parish, the parochial church council with the concurrence of the minister has declared him to be a habitual worshipper in the parish, such declaration being effective until the conclusion of the annual meeting in the year in which a new roll is prepared under rule 2 or his ceasing to be a habitual worshipper in the parish whichever is the earlier, but without prejudice to a renewal of such declaration; or

(d)if he is a co-opted member of the parochial church council in accordance with rule 12(1)(g).]

[F4(4)Without prejudice to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this rule—

(a)all the members of the team of a team ministry shall be entitled to attend, and take part in the proceedings of, the annual meeting of the parish or each of the parishes in the area of the benefice for which the team ministry is established, and where the area of a group ministry includes the area of a benefice for which a team ministry is established, all the vicars in that ministry shall be entitled to attend, and take part in the proceedings of, the annual meeting of each of the other parishes in the area for which the group ministry is established;

(b)all the incumbents and priests in charge in a group ministry shall be entitled to attend, and take part in the proceedings of, the annual meeting of each of the parishes in the area for which the group ministry is established.

(5)Where two or more benefices are held in plurality and a team ministry is, or is to be, established for the area of one of those benefices, then, if a pastoral scheme provides for extending the operation of the team ministry, so long as the plurality continues, to the area of any other benefice so held, paragraph (4) of this rule shall have effect as if the references to the area of the benefice were references to the combined area of the benefices concerned.]

Textual Amendments

F1Rule 5(3)(b) (as originally enacted) repealed by S.I. 1981/959, para. 2(1)

F2Rule 5(3)(c) re-lettered “b” by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 4

Convening of MeetingE

6(1)The annual meeting shall be convened by the minister of the parish by a notice in the form set out in section 4 of Appendix 1 to these rules affixed on or near to the principal door of every church in the parish and every building licensed for public worship in the parish, for a period including the last two Sundays before the day of the meeting.

(2)The annual meeting shall be held at such place on such date and at such hour as shall be directed by the previous annual meeting, or by the parochial church council (which may vary any direction given by a previous annual meeting) or in the absence of any such direction as shall be appointed by the minister.

(3)During the vacancy of the benefice or curacy or when the minister is absent or incapacitated by illness or any other cause, the vice-chairman of the parochial church council, or if there is no vice-chairman, or if he is unable or unwilling to act, the secretary of or some other person appointed by that council shall have all the powers vested in the minister under this rule.

(4)The annual meeting shall be held at a place within the parish unless the parochial church council decide otherwise.

[F5(5)The minister of a new parish created by a pastoral scheme, or, in the absence of the minister, a person appointed by the bishop, shall as soon as possible after the scheme comes into operation convene a special parochial church meeting, and, subject to paragraph (6) of this rule, the provisions of these rules relating to the convening and conduct of the annual general meeting shall apply to a special meeting convened under this paragraph.

(6)A special meeting so convened and held in the month of November or the month of December may, if the meeting so resolves, be for all purposes under these rules the annual meeting for the succeeding year, and a special meeting so convened shall in any event be for all such purposes the annual meeting for the year in which it is so convened and held.]

Textual Amendments

ChairmanE

7

7[F6(1)The minster, if present, or, if he is not present, the vice-chairman of the parochial church council, or, subject to paragraph (2) of this rule, if he also is not present, a chairman chosen by the annual meeting shall preside thereat.

(2)Where a parish is in the area of a benefice for which a team ministry is established, and a vicar in that ministry is entitled to preside at an annual meeting of that parish by virtue of a provision in a pastoral scheme or the bishop’s licence assigning to the vicar the duties, or a share in the duties, of the chairmanship of the annual meeting of that parish, then, if both he and the vice-chairman of the parochial church council are not present at that meeting, but the rector in that ministry is present, the rector shall preside thereat.]

[F7(3)]In case of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote [F8unless it is a case where rule 10(8) applies]; but no clerical chairman shall have a vote in the election of the parochial representatives of the laity.

Textual Amendments

F6Rule 7(1)(2) substituted for first sentence of rule 7 by S.I. 1981/959, para. 4(1)

F7Second sentence of rule 7 numbered para. (3) by S.I. 1981/959, para. 4(2)

F8Words inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 6

BusinessE

8(1)The annual meeting shall receive from the parochial church council and shall be free to discuss:—

(a)a copy or copies of the roll;

(b)an annual report on the proceedings of the parochial church council;

(c)an annual report on the financial affairs of the parish;

(d)the audited accounts of a report on the proceedings of the deanery synod.

(e)an audited statement of the funds and property, if any, remaining in the hands of the parochial church council at the said date;

(f)a report upon the fabric, goods and ornaments of the church or churches of the parish; and

(g)a report on the proceedings of the deanery synod.

(2)The council shall cause a copy of the said audited accounts and the said audited statement to be affixed on or near the principal door of every church in the parish and every building licensed for public worship in the parish at least seven days before the annual meeting.

(3)Such accounts and statement shall be submitted to the annual meeting for approval. If approved, they shall be signed by the chairman of the meeting, who shall then deliver them to the parochial church council for publication, and the parochial church council shall forthwith cause them to be published and affixed [F9for a period of at least fourteen days] on or near the principal door of every church in the parish and every building licensed for public worship in the parish and at such other conspicuous place or places in the parish as the parochial church council think appropriate [F10and shall cause a copy to be sent to the secretary of the diocesan board of finance].

(4)The annual meeting shall in the manner provided by rule 10 of these rules:—

(a)elect in every third year parochial representatives of the laity to the deanery synod;

(b)elect parochial representatives of the laity to the parochial church council;

(c)elect sidesmen;

and the elections shall be carried out in the above order.

(5)The annual meeting shall appoint the auditors to the council.

[F11(6)Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions and rule 6(6), a special parochial church meeting convened under rule 6(5) shall, in addition to other business,—

(a)decide on the number of members of the parochial church council who are to be the elected representatives of the laity;

(b)elect in the manner provided by rule 10 parochial representatives of the laity to the deanery synod, if such representatives are required to be elected in the year for which that meeting is the annual meeting by virtue of rule 6(6).]

[F12(7)]Any person entitled to attend the annual meeting may ask any question about parochial church matters, or bring about a discussion of any matter of parochial or general interest, by moving a general resolution or by moving to give any particular recommendation to the council in relation to its duties.

[F12(8)]The annual meeting shall have power to adjourn and to determine its own rules of procedure.

[F12(9)]The secretary of the parochial church council (or another person appointed by the meeting in his place) shall act as a clerk of the annual meeting, and shall record the minutes thereof.

Textual Amendments

F9Words inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 5(1)

F10Words inserted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 5(2)

F12Rule 8(7)(8)(9) (originally (6)(7)(8)) renumbered by S.I.1981/959, para. 5

Qualifications of persons to be chosen or elected by annual meetingsE

9(1)[F13Subject to the provisions of rule 1(3)] the qualifications of a person to be elected a parochial representative of the laity to either of the bodies referred to in the last preceding rule are that—

(a)his name is entered on the roll of the parish; and

(b)he is an actual communicant member of the Church of England or, in the case of election to the parochial church council, [F14an actual communicant member of any] Church in communion with the Church of England; and

(c)[F15in the case of election to the parochial church council, he is of seventeen years or upwards, and]in the case of election to the deanery synod, he is [F16eighteen years or upwards]:

Provided that—

(i)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F17

(ii)

the registrar of the diocese shall not be qualified for election to any of the said bodies in that diocese.

[F18(1A)Notwithstanding paragraph (1) hereof, a baptised person who—

(a)is of communicant status in another Church which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity; and

(b)is in good standing in that Church; and

(c)is an habitual worshipper and a communicant at the parish church or at some other building licensed for public worship in the parish; and

(d)is of seventeen years and upwards,

may, with the prior permission of the bishop, be nominated for election as a parochial representative of the laity to the parochial church council.

Provided that at least two-thirds of the parochial representatives of the laity to the parochial church council shall have the qualifications set out in paragraph (1) hereof.]

[F19(1B)A baptised person who has the qualifications in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (1A) of this rule and who—

(a)is of eighteen years and upwards; and

(b)is either a member of the parochial church council by virtue of paragraph (1A) above or a member of a local ecumenical project of which the parish forms part,

may be nominated for election as a parochial representative of the laity to the deanery synod.]

(2)The qualification of a person to be elected a sidesman is that his name is entered on the roll of the parish.

(3)No person shall be elected under the last preceding rule unless he has signified his consent to serve or there is in the opinion of the meeting sufficient evidence of his willingness to serve.

Textual Amendments

F13Words inserted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 7(a)

F14Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 7(b)

F15Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 2

F16Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 7(c)

F17Rule 9(1)(c) proviso (i) repealed by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 7(d)

Conduct of Elections at Annual MeetingsE

10(1)[F20Subject to the provisions of any scheme made under rule 10A and for the time being in force] this rule shall apply to all elections at annual meetings.

(2)All candidates for election at an annual meeting must be nominated and seconded by persons entitled to attend the annual meeting, and in the case of parochial representatives of the laity, by persons whose names are entered on the roll of the parish. A candidate shall be nominated or seconded either before the meeting in writing or at the meeting.

(3)If the number of candidates nominated is not greater than the number of seats to be filled, the candidates nominated shall forthwith be declared elected.

(4)If more candidates are nominated than there are seats to be filled, the election shall take place at the annual meeting.

(5)No clerk in Holy Orders shall be entitled to vote in the election of any parochial representatives of the laity.

(6)Each person entitled to vote shall have as many votes as there are seats j to be filled but may not give more than one vote to any one candidate.

(7)Votes may be given:—

(a)on voting papers, which must be signed by the voter [F21on the reverse thereof]; or

(b)if no person present objects thereto, by show of hands.

(8)Where owing to an equality of votes an election is not decided, the decision between the persons for whom the equal numbers of votes have been cast shall be taken by lot.

(9)The result of any election by an annual meeting shall be announced as soon as practicable by the person presiding over the election, and a notice of the result shall in every case be affixed on or near the principal door of every church in the parish and every building licensed for public worship in the parish, and shall bear the date on which the result is declared. The notice shall remain affixed for not less than fourteen days. [F22Thereafter the secretary of the parochial church council shall hold a list of the names and addresses of the members of the council which shall be available for inspection on reasonable notice being given by any person who either is resident in the parish or has his name on the electoral roll, but the secretary shall not be bound to provide a copy of such list.]

[F23(10)Names and addresses, of parochial representatives of the laity elected to the deanery synod shall be sent by the secretary of the parochial church council to the diocesan electoral registration officer appointed in accordance with rule 23A of these rules and to the secretary of the deanery synod.]

Textual Amendments

F20Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 3(1)

F21Words inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 3(2)

[F24 Variation of method of election by scheme]E

Textual Amendments

F24Rule 10A and heading inserted by S.I. 1980/178, para. 3(1)

10A(1)The annual meeting may make a scheme which provides that the election of parochial representatives of the laity to the parochial church council or to the deanery synod or to both that council and that synod shall be conducted [F25by the method of the single transferable vote] under rules, with the necessary modifications, made by the General Synod under rule 33(4) and for the time being in force.

[F26(2)The annual meeting may make a scheme which provides that any person entitled to attend the annual meeting and vote in the elections of parochial representatives of the laity to the parochial church council or to the deanery synod or to both that council and that synod may make application in the form set out in section 4A of Appendix I for a postal vote.

(3)Where applications for postal votes have been received by the date specified in the notice convening the annual meeting and where the number of candidates nominated for an election referred to in paragraph (2) of this rule is greater than the number of seats to be filled, the annual meeting shall appoint a presiding officer who shall not be a candidate in the election. Voting papers shall be distributed to each person present at the meeting entitled to vote and completed papers shall be returned into the custody of the presiding officer before the close of the meeting. The presiding officer shall ensure that persons who have made application for a postal vote shall be sent or have delivered a voting paper within 48 hours of the close of the meeting such paper to be returned to the presiding officer within such period of not less than 7 days nor more than 14 days from the date of the meeting as the presiding officer shall specify.]

[F27(4)]No scheme under this rule shall be valid unless approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at the annual meeting nor shall it be operative unitl the next ensuing annual meeting. Every such scheme shall, on its approval, be communicated to the . . . F28 bishop’s council and standing committee [F29of the diocesan synod which shall consider the scheme, determine whether or not the scheme shall come into operation and inform the secretary of the parochial church council of its decision][F30and, if the determination is that the scheme should not come into operation, the reasons for that determination in writing.].

Textual Amendments

F25Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 6(1)

F27By S.I. 1989/2094, para. 1(3) the existing para. (2) of rule 10A is re-numbered (4)

F28Words repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 6(2)

F29Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 6(3)

F30Words inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 1(3)

Conduct of Elections of ChurchwardensE

11(1)If elections of churchwardens take place at meetings of parishioners under section 3 of the M1Churchwardens (Appointment and Resignation) Measure 1964 either because there has been no joint consent under section 2 of that Measure or because there is no minister, the elections shall be conducted, announced and notified in the same manner as elections under [F31rule 10] except that all persons entitled to attend the meeting of parishioners other than the minister shall be entitled to nominate and vote at such elections of churchwardens.

(2)The Churchwardens (Appointment and Registration) Measure 1964 shall be amended as follows:—

(a)in section 2(1) for words “not later in the year than during the week following Easter week” there shall be substituted the words “not later than the 30th April in each year”;

(b)sections 4, 5, 6 and 11(3) shall be repealed; and

(c)section 3(6) shall not apply to elections of churchwardens.

Textual Amendments

F31Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 7

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1The text of s. 6 and Sch. 3 rule 11(2) is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Marginal Citations

M11964 No. 3 (21:6).

Parochial Church Council MembersE

12(1)[F32Subject to the provisions of rule 1(3)] the parochial church council shall consist of:—

(a)all clerks in Holy Orders beneficed in or licensed to the parish, . . . F33

[F34(b)any deaconess or lay worker licensed to the parish;]

[F35(bb)in the case of a parish in the area of a benefice for which a team ministry is established, all the members of the team of that ministry;]

(c)the churchwardens, being actual communicant members of the Church of England whose names are on the roll of the parish;

[F36(d)such, if any, of the readers whose names are on the roll of the parish as the annual meeting may determine;]

(e)all persons whose names are on the roll of the parish and who are lay members of any deanery synod, diocesan synod or the General Synod;

(f)such number of representatives of the laity as the annual meeting may decide, and so that the number determined may be altered from time to time by a resolution passed at any annual meeting, but such resolution shall not take effect before the next ensuing annual meeting; and

(g)co-opted members, if the parochial church council so decides, not exceeding in number one-fifth of the representatives of the laity elected under the last preceding sub-paragraph of this paragraph [F37or two persons whichever shall be the greater,], and being either clerks in Holy Orders or actual lay communicant members of the Church of England of seventeen years of age or upwards. The term of office of a co-opted member shall be until the conclusion of the next annual meeting; but without prejudice to his being co-opted on subsequent occasions for a similar term, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of these rules.

[F38(1A)Any person chosen, appointed or elected as a churchwarden of a parish, being an actual communicant member of the Church of England whose name is on the roll of the parish, shall as from the date on which the choice, appointment or election, as the case may be, is made be a member of the parochial church council of the parish by virtue of this paragraph until he is admitted to the office of churchwarden, and he shall thereafter continue to be a member of that council by virtue of sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (1) of this rule unless and until he ceases to be qualified for membership by virtue of that sub-paragraph.]

[F39(2)If—

(a)the name of any person, being an elected representative of the laity, is removed from the roll of the parish under rule 1, or

(b)any such person refuses or fails to apply for enrolment when a new roll for the parish is being prepared,

that person shall cease to be a member of the parochial church council of the parish on the date on which his name is removed from the roll or, as the case may be, on the date on which the new roll is completed, but the preceding provisions are without prejudice to any right which that council may have to make that person a co-opted member.]

(3)Where a group ministry is established the incumbents of all benefices in the group [F40every priest in charge of any benefice therein and where the area of the group ministry includes the area of a benefice for which a team ministry is established, all the vicars in that ministry] shall be entitled to attend meetings of the parochial church councils of all the parishes in the area for which the group ministry is established. They shall be entitled to receive documents circulated to members of councils of which they are not themselves members and to speak but not to vote at meetings of such councils.

[F41(4)Where two or more benefices are held in plurality and a team ministry is, or is to be, established for the area of one of those benefices, then, if a pastoral scheme provides for extending the operation of the team ministry, so long as the plurality continues, to the area of any other benefice so held, paragraphs (1)(bb) and (3) of this rule shall have effect as if the references to the area of the benefice were references to the combined area of the benefices concerned.]

General Provisions relating to Parochial Church CouncilsE

13The provisions in Appendix II to these rules shall have effect with respect to parochial church councils, and with respect to the officers, the meetings and the proceedings thereof:

Provided that a parochial church council may, with the consent of the diocesan synod, vary the said provisions, in their application to the council.

Term of officeE

14[F42(1)]Representatives of the laity on the parochial church council of a parish shall hold office from the conclusion of the annual meeting until the conclusion of the next annual meeting of the parish:

Provided that the annual meeting may decide that one-third only (or the number nearest to one-third) of the representatives of the laity elected to the council shall retire from office in every year. In any case where it is so decided, the representatives of the laity to retire from office at each annual meeting shall be those who have been longest in office since last elected, and as between representatives of the laity elected on the same day, those to retire shall (unless they otherwise agree among themselves) be selected by lot. A representative of the laity shall in any event retire at the conclusion of the third annual meeting after that at which he was elected.

[F42(2)Persons who are members of a parochial church council by virtue of their election as lay members of a deanery synod shall hold office for a term beginning with the date of their election and ending with the 31st May next following the election of their successors.]

Textual Amendments

F42 “(1)” inserted, and rule 14(2) added by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 9

Limitation on years of serviceE

15The annual meeting may decide that no representative of the laity on the parochial church council may hold office for more than a specified number of years continuously and may also decide that after a specified interval a person who has ceased to be eligible by reason of such decision may again stand for election as a representative of the laity on the council.

Parishes with more than one Place of WorshipE

16(1)In any parish where there are two or more churches or [F43places of worship] the annual meeting may make a scheme, [F44which makes provision for either or both of the following purposes, that is to say]:—

(a)for the election of representatives of the laity to the parochial church council in such manner as to ensure due representation of the congregation of each such church or [F45place][F46and]

[F47(b)for the election by the annual meeting for any district in the parish in which a church or place of worship is situated of a district church council for that district]

(2)A scheme for the election of any district church council or councils under the preceding paragraph shall provide for the election of representatives of the laity on to such council, for ex-officio members and for the chairmanship of such council and shall contain such other provisions as to membership and procedure as shall be considered appropriate by the annual meeting.

(3)Such a scheme may also provide for the delegation by the parochial church council to a district church council of such functions as it may specify and subject to the scheme the parochial church council may delegate to a district church council such of its functions as it shall think fit [F48but not including (in either case) the functions of a parochial church council as interested parties under Part I of the Pastoral Measure [F491983][F50or the functions of a parochial church council under Part II of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986]].

(4)[F51A scheme may] provide for the election or choice of one or two deputy churchwardens . . . F52, and for the delegation to him or them of such functions of the churchwardens relating to [F53any church or place] as the scheme may specify, and the churchwardens may, subject to the scheme, delegate such of their said functions as they think fit to the deputy churchwarden or churchwardens.

[F54(5)No scheme under this rule shall be valid unless approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at the annual meeting nor shall the scheme provide for it to come into operation until such date as the bishop’s council and standing committee may determine being a date not later than the next ensuing annual meeting. Every such scheme shall on its approval be communicated to the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocesan synod which may determine—

(a)that the scheme shall come into operation; or

(b)that the scheme shall not come into operation; or

(c)that the scheme shall come into operation with specified amendments, if such amendments are approved by an annual or special parochial church meeting and the scheme as amended is approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at that meeting.]

[F55(5A)A special parochial church meeting of a parish to which this rule applies may be convened for the purpose of deciding whether to make such a scheme, and where such a meeting is convened the foregoing provisions shall have effect with the substitution for references to the annual meeting of references to the special meeting.]

[F56(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F57

[F58(6)]Where a pastoral scheme establishing a team minstry, or an instrument of the bishop made by virtue of that scheme, makes, in relation to a parish in the area of the benefice for which the team ministry is established, any provision which may be made by a scheme under this rule, no scheme under this rule relating to that parish shall provide for the scheme to come into operation until on or after the date on which the provisions in question of the pastoral scheme or of the instrument, as the case may be, cease to have effect.

[F58(7)]A scheme under this rule may by varied or revoked by a subsequent scheme thereunder.

[F58(8)]Every member of the team of a team ministry shall have a right to attend the meetings of any district church council elected for any district in a parish in the area of the benefice for which the team ministry is established.

[F58(9)]This rule shall be without prejudice to the appointment, in parishes with more than one parish church, of two church-wardens for each church under section [F5927(5) of the M2Pastoral Measure 1983].

[F58(10)]In this rule “place of worship” means a building or part of a building licensed for public worship.]

Textual Amendments

F43Words substituted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 7(1)

F44Words substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 10(a)

F45Word substituted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 7(1)

F46Word substituted by S.I. 1973/1865, para. 10(b)

F48Words inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 7(3)

F49Word substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9

F51Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(2)

F52Words repealed by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(3)

F53Words substituted by S.I. by virtue of S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(4)

F56Rule 16(6)–(11) substituted for rule 16(6) by S.I. 1981/959, para. 7(5)

F58Rule 16(6) to (10) (originally (7) to (11)) renumbered by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(6)

F59Words substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 9(7)

Marginal Citations

M21983 No. 1 (21:4).

Joint Parochial Church CouncilsE

[F6017(1)Where there are two or more parishes within the area of a single benefice or two or more benefices are held in plurality, the annual meetings of all or some of the parishes in the benefice or benefices may make a joint scheme to provide—

(a)for establishing a joint parochial church council (hereinafter referred to as “the joint council”) comprising the ministers of the parishes and such numbers of representatives of each of those parishes elected by and from among the other members of the parochial church council of the parish as may be specified in the scheme;

(b)for the chairmanship, meetings and procedure of the joint council;

(c)[F61subject to paragraph 20 of Schedule 2 to the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986] for the delegation by the parochial church council of each such parish to the joint council of such of its functions, other than its functions as an interested party under Part I of the Pastoral Measure [F621983], as may be so specified.

(2)Subject to the scheme and to any pastoral scheme or order made under paragraph 13 of Schedule 3 to the said Measure [F63and to paragraph 20 of Schedule 2 to the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986], the parochial church council of any such parish may delegate to the joint council such of its functions, other than its functions as an interested party under the said Part 1, as it thinks fit.

(3)The joint council shall meet from time to time for the purpose of consulting together on matters of common concern.

[F64(4)No scheme under this rule shall be valid unless approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at the annual meeting nor shall the scheme provide for it to come into operation until such date as the bishop’s council and standing committee may determine being a date not later than the next ensuing annual meeting. Every such scheme shall on its approval be communicated to the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocesan synod which may determine—

(a)that the scheme shall come into operation; or

(b)that the scheme shall not come into operation; or

(c)that the scheme shall come into operation with specified amendments, if such amendments are approved by an annual or special parochial church meeting and the scheme as amended is approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at the meeting.]

(5)(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F65

[F66(5)]A special parochial church meeting of a parish to which this rule applies may be convened for the purpose of deciding whether to join in making such a scheme, and where such a meeting is convened the foregoing provisions shall have effect with the substitution for references to the annual meeting of references to the special meeting.

[F66(6)]Where a pastoral scheme or order, or any instrument of the bishop made by virtue of such a scheme or order, establishes a joint parochial church council for two or more of the parishes in a single benefice or two or more of the parishes in benefices held in plurality, no scheme under this rule relating to those parishes shall provide for the scheme to come into operation until on or after the date on which the provisions of the pastoral scheme, pastoral order or instrument, as the case may be, establishing the joint parochial church council cease to have effect.

[F66(7)]Where the provisions of a pastoral scheme or order for the holding of benefices in plurality are terminated under section [F6718(2) of the Pastoral Measure 1983], any provision of a scheme under this rule establishing a joint parochial church council for all or some of the parishes of those benefices and the other provisions thereof affecting that council shall cease to have effect on the date on which the first mentioned provisions cease to have effect.

[F66(8)]A scheme under this rule may be varied or revoked by a subsequent scheme thereunder to be.]

[F68 Team councils]E

Textual Amendments

17A(1)Where a team ministry is established for the area of a benefice which comprises more than one parish the annual meetings of the parishes in that area may make a joint scheme to provide—

(a)for establishing a team council comprising—

(i)all the members of the team;

(ii)every assistant curate, deaconess and lay worker licensed to any such parish; and

(iii)such number of lay representatives elected by and from among the lay representatives of the parochial church council of each parish in the area as may be specified in the scheme;

(b)for the chairmanship, meetings and procedure of the team council; and

(c)[F69subject to paragraph 19 of Schedule 2 to the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986] for the delegation by the parochial church council of each such parish to the team council of such functions, other than its functions as an interested party under Part I of the Pastoral Measure [F701983][F71as may be so specified]

(2)Subject to the scheme and to any pastoral scheme relating to the team council made under [F72paragraph 4(3)] of Schedule 3 to the said Measure [F73and to paragraph 19 of Schedule 2 to the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986], the parochial church council of any such parish may delegate to the team council such of its functions, other than its functions as an interested party under the said Part I, as it thinks fit.

(3)The team council shall meet from time to time for the purpose of consulting together on matters of common concern.

[F74(4)No scheme under this rule shall be valid unless approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at the annual meeting nor shall the scheme provide for it to come into operation until such date as the bishop’s council and standing committee may determine being a date not later than the next ensuing annual meeting. Every such scheme shall on its approval be communicated to the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocesan synod which may determine—

(a)that the scheme shall come into operation; or

(b)that the scheme shall not come into operation; or

(c)that the scheme shall come into operation with specified amendments, if such amendments are approved by an annual or special parochial church meeting and the scheme as amended is approved by at least two-thirds of the persons present and voting at that meeting.]

(5)(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F75

[F76(5)]A special parochial church meeting of a parish to which this rule applies may be convened for the purpose of deciding whether to join in making such a scheme, and where such a meeting is convened the foregoing provisions shall have effect with the substitution for references to the annual meeting of references to the special meeting.

[F76(6)]Where a pastoral scheme establishing a team ministry, or an instrument of the bishop made by virtue of that scheme, establishes a team council for that ministry, no scheme under this rule relating to that ministry shall provide for the scheme to come into operation until on or after the date on which the provisions of the pastoral scheme or of the instrument, as the case may be, establishing the team council to have effect.

[F76(7)]A scheme under this rule may be varied or revoked by a subsequent scheme thereunder to be.

Textual Amendments

F70Word substituted by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 11(1)

F71Words inserted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 4(1)

F72Words substituted by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 4(2)

F76Rule 17A(5) to (7) (originally (7) to (9)) renumbered by S.I. 1984/1039, para. 11(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2In rule 17A(2) as originally passed the reference to the said measure was a reference to the Pastoral Measure 1968

[F77 Group councils]E

Textual Amendments

F77Crossheading and rules 17A, 17B inserted by S.I. 1981/959, para. 9(1)

17B(1)Where a pastoral scheme establishes a group ministry, the annual meetings of the parishes in the area for which the group ministry is established may make a joint scheme to provide—

(a)for establishing a group council comprising—

(i)all the members of the group ministry,

(ii)every assistant curate, deaconess, and lay worker licensed to any such parish, and

(iii)such number of lay representatives elected by and from among the lay members of the parochial church council of each such parish as may be specified in the scheme;

(b)for the chairmanship, meetings and procedure of the group council; and

(c)for the delegation by the parochial church council of each such parish to the group council of such functions, other than its functions as an interested party under Part I of the Pastoral Measure [F781983][F79and its functions under Part II of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986] as may be so specified.

(2)If the area of a group ministry includes the area of a benefice for which a team ministry is established, a scheme under this rule shall provide for the vicars in that ministry, as well as the rector, and all the other members of the team to be members of the group council.

(3)Paragraphs (2) to [F80(7)] of rule 17A shall apply in relation to a scheme under this rule as they apply in relation to a scheme under this rule as they apply in relation to a scheme under that rule with the modification that for the references toa team ministry and a team council there shall be substituted references to a group ministry and a group council respectively [F81except that the functions of a parochial church council under Part II of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 may not be delegated to a group council].

[F82 Special Meetings]E

Textual Amendments

F82Sch. 3 rules 18 and 18A substituted for rule 18 by S.I. 1989/2094, para. 5

18(1)In addition to the annual meeting the minister of a parish may convene a special parochial church meeting, and he shall do so on a written representation by not less than one-third of the lay members of the parochial church council; and the provisions of these rules relating to the convening and conduct of the annual meeting shall, with the necessary modifications, apply to a special parochial church meeting.

(2)All lay persons whose names are entered on the roll of the parish on the day which is twenty-one clear days before the date on which any special parochial church meeting is to be held shall be entitled to attend the meeting and to take part in its proceedings, and no other lay person shall be so entitled.

(3)A clerk in Holy Orders shall be entitled to attend any such meeting and to take part in its proceedings if by virtue of rule 5(3), (4) or (5) he would have been entitled to attend the annual meeting of the parish had it been held on the same date, and no other such clerk shall be so entitled.

Extraordinary MeetingsE

18A(1)On a written representation made to the archdeacon by not less than one-third of the lay members of the parochial church council, or by one tenth of the persons whose names are on the roll of the parish, and deemed by the archdeacon to have been made with sufficient cause, the archdeacon shall convene an extraordinary meeting of the parochial church council or an extraordinary parochial church meeting, and shall either take the chair himself or shall appoint a chairman to preside. The chairman, not being otherwise entitled to attend such meeting, shall not be entitled to vote upon any resolution before the meeting.

(2)In any case where the archdeacon is himself the minister, any representation under paragraph (1) of this rule shall be made to the bishop, and in any such case the references to the archdeacon in paragraph (1) of this rule shall be construed as references to the bishop, or to a person appointed by him to act on his behalf.

(3)Paragraphs (2) and (3) of rule 18 shall apply in relation to an extraordinary parochial church meeting under this rule as they apply in relation to a special parochial church meeting under that rule with the modification that for the word “special” in paragraph (2) there shall be substituted the word “extraordinary”.

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