Explanatory note

This Resolution makes miscellaneous amendments to the Church Representation Rules as set out in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969.

Paragraph 2 amends the eligibility requirements for membership of a Church electoral roll by removing the third declaration, which applied to a person who is a member of a Church not in communion with the Church of England and a member of the Church of England.

Paragraph 3 provides that, once a scheme for amending the model rules of parish governance has been approved, a copy must be sent to the secretary of the parochial church council concerned.

Paragraph 4 corrects a drafting error.

Paragraph 5 amends the provision on disqualification as charity trustee by including disqualification by the High Court in exercising its inherent jurisdiction in relation to charities.

Paragraph 6 relates to the annual report and financial statements prepared by the parochial church council for the annual parochial church meeting and replaces the requirement for them to be in the form specified by the Business Committee with a requirement for them to accord with the Charity Commission’s Statements of Recommended Practice.

Paragraph 7 removes a doubt about the extent of the current disqualification provisions by confining eligibility for election as parochial representatives to those who are not disqualified from membership of the deanery synod or of the parochial church council, as applicable.

Paragraph 8 relates to the case where the number of candidates for parochial representatives of the laity does not exceed the number of vacancies. It provides expressly that, where there is not a vote on whether each candidate should be elected, each candidate is declared elected.

Paragraph 9 requires the secretary of each parochial church council to arrange for newly elected members to receive training on the role of a member.