Section 3 Operation of special standing orders

Standing orders made under section 1 come into operation on the day after that on which they are published under section 2(3)(a) and continue in operation pending the decision by the General Synod on the question of whether to approve the standing orders.

The question of whether to approve the standing orders is to be the first item of business at the first meeting of the General Synod held (in whatever manner) after the standing orders come into operation.

The provisions of the Standing Orders of the General Synod relating to the consideration of an instrument made under a Measure or Canon apply to the standing orders as they apply to such an instrument; and for that purpose the requirement in section 2(3)(a) applies instead of the deadline for providing members of the Synod with a copy of the instrument concerned before it is due to be considered by Synod.

If the standing orders are approved by the General Synod (with or without amendment), they continue in operation until the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which they are so approved.

But the General Synod may resolve that the standing orders—

If standing orders under section 1 have ceased to be in operation (whether under this section or section 4), the General Synod may resolve that they are to be revived (with or without amendment) and to be in operation F2either for such period as the General Synod may specify in the resolution or for an indefinite period; and they are to be treated as being in operation so far as necessary for the purpose of enabling the Synod to consider whether to pass a resolution under this subsection.

Standing orders under section 1 have effect in spite of any provision in the Constitution or in the Standing Orders of the General Synod with which they are inconsistent F3; and “the Constitution” means the Constitution of the General Synod set out in Schedule 2 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969.