OpenLegislation

Synodical Government Measure 1969

1969 ukcm 2 · Enacted 25 July 1969 · Extends to England

Not fully up to date. 7 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 6 March 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 3 rule 31(3)(c)word substitutedChannel Islands Measure 2020 s. 2(1)(d)
Pt. 11words substitutedChurch of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2024 s. 11(5)(a)
Sch. 3 rule 68(7)(a)words substitutedChurch of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2024 s. 11(5)(a)
Sch. 3 rule 71(1)words substitutedChurch of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2024 s. 11(5)(a)
Sch. 3 rule 69(6)(a)words substitutedChurch of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2024 s. 11(5)(a)
Sch. 3 rule 69(11)(d)words substitutedChurch of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2024 s. 11(5)(a)
Sch. 3 rule 70(2)words substitutedClergy Conduct Measure 2026 Sch. 1 para. 10

A Measure passed by The National Assembly of the Church of England to provide for the vesting by Canon of the functions, authority, rights and privileges of the Convocations of Canterbury and York in the General Synod of the Church of England, and for the modification by Canon of the functions of the said Convocations when sitting separately for their provinces; to rename and reconstitute the Church Assembly as the General Synod, and to make further provision for the synodical government of the Church of England, and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid.

[25th July 1969] I1

E1Whereas the Convocations of Canterbury and York, on the 8th day of October 1968, resolved that the functions, authority, rights and privileges of the said Convocations should, by Canons made by them with Her Majesty’s Licence and Assent, vest in the Church Assembly to be renamed and reconstituted as the General Synod of the Church of England.

And Whereas it is expedient to give effect to the said resolution and to bring to an end the present dual exercise of functions by the Church Assembly and the Convocations, and to provide a system of synodical government for the Church of England.

Annotations to the whole text

Commencement

I1

Measure wholly in force at Royal Assent.

Extent

E1

For extent to the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands see s. 9(3)-(5).

Contents

  1. 1Vesting of functions and authority of Convocations in a General Synod.
  2. 2Renaming and reconstitution of the Church Assembly as the General Synod.
  3. 3Functions under the Prayer Book Measures and the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure.
  4. 4Constitution and functions of Diocesan Synods.
  5. 5Constitution and functions of Deanery Synods.
  6. 6Functions of Parochial Church Councils.
  7. 7Church Representation Rules.
  8. 8Transitional Provisions.
  9. 9Short title, interpretation and extent.
  10. Schedule 1: Form of Proposed Canon
  11. Of the General Synod and the Convocations
  12. 1Paragraph 1
  13. 2Paragraph 2
  14. 3Paragraph 3
  15. 4Paragraph 4
  16. Schedule 2: Constitution of the General Synod
  17. 1Paragraph 1
  18. 2Paragraph 2
  19. 3Paragraph 3
  20. 4Paragraph 4
  21. 5Paragraph 5
  22. 6Paragraph 6
  23. 7Paragraph 7
  24. 8Paragraph 8
  25. 9Paragraph 9
  26. 10Paragraph 10
  27. 11Paragraph 11
  28. 12Paragraph 12
  29. 13Paragraph 13
  30. Schedule 3Church Representation Rules
  31. Part 1: Church electoral roll
  32. Compilation of the roll
  33. 1Paragraph 1
  34. Additions to the roll
  35. 2Paragraph 2
  36. Revision of the roll: notice
  37. 3Paragraph 3
  38. Revision of the roll: preparation
  39. 4Paragraph 4
  40. Publication of revised roll
  41. 5Paragraph 5
  42. Preparation of new roll: notice
  43. 6Paragraph 6
  44. Preparation of new roll: process
  45. 7Paragraph 7
  46. Publication of new roll
  47. 8Paragraph 8
  48. Boundary changes
  49. 9Paragraph 9
  50. Notification of number on roll
  51. 10Paragraph 10
  52. Part 2: Parish governance
  53. Model Rules
  54. 11Paragraph 11
  55. Scheme for amendment
  56. 12Paragraph 12
  57. Procedure for making scheme
  58. 13Paragraph 13
  59. Part 3: Deanery synods
  60. Composition
  61. 14Paragraph 14
  62. House of clergy
  63. 15Paragraph 15
  64. House of laity
  65. 16Paragraph 16
  66. Direction to join a different deanery synod
  67. 17Paragraph 17
  68. Co-option
  69. 18Paragraph 18
  70. Election of parochial representatives
  71. 19Paragraph 19
  72. List of members to be given to diocesan electoral registration officer
  73. 20Paragraph 20
  74. Number of members
  75. 21Paragraph 21
  76. Scheme for variation of membership
  77. 22Paragraph 22
  78. Scheme for representation for cathedrals and royal peculiars
  79. 23Paragraph 23
  80. Scheme for representation for mission initiatives
  81. 24Paragraph 24
  82. Schemes: approval
  83. 25Paragraph 25
  84. Procedure
  85. 26Paragraph 26
  86. Diocesan electoral registration officer
  87. 27Paragraph 27
  88. Mission initiative roll
  89. 27AParagraph 27A
  90. Additions to and revision of mission initiative roll
  91. 27BParagraph 27B
  92. Preparation of new mission initiative roll
  93. 27CParagraph 27C
  94. Notification of number on mission initiative roll
  95. 27DParagraph 27D
  96. Casual vacancies
  97. 28Paragraph 28
  98. Part 4: Diocesan synods
  99. Membership
  100. Composition
  101. 29Paragraph 29
  102. House of bishops
  103. 30Paragraph 30
  104. House of clergy
  105. 31Paragraph 31
  106. House of laity
  107. 32Paragraph 32
  108. Power of bishop to nominate members
  109. 33Paragraph 33
  110. Restrictions on membership
  111. 34Paragraph 34
  112. Election of members
  113. Timing
  114. 35Paragraph 35
  115. Eligibility
  116. 36Paragraph 36
  117. Numbers
  118. 37Paragraph 37
  119. Presiding officers
  120. 38Paragraph 38
  121. Qualified electors
  122. 39Paragraph 39
  123. Nomination
  124. 40Paragraph 40
  125. Requirement for election
  126. 41Paragraph 41
  127. Conduct of election
  128. 42Paragraph 42
  129. Scheme for variation of membership
  130. 43Paragraph 43
  131. Procedure
  132. 44Paragraph 44
  133. Casual vacancies
  134. 45Paragraph 45
  135. Part 5: House of Laity of the General Synod
  136. Membership
  137. 46Paragraph 46
  138. Ex officio members
  139. 47Paragraph 47
  140. Co-option
  141. 48Paragraph 48
  142. Numbers
  143. 49Paragraph 49
  144. Qualifications for election
  145. 50Paragraph 50
  146. Electoral areas
  147. 51Paragraph 51
  148. Timing
  149. 52Paragraph 52
  150. Presiding officer
  151. 53Paragraph 53
  152. Entitlement to vote
  153. 54Paragraph 54
  154. Nomination
  155. 55Paragraph 55
  156. Election rules
  157. 56Paragraph 56
  158. Part 6: Appeals
  159. Enrolment appeals
  160. 57Paragraph 57
  161. 57AEnrolment appeals: referral and representations etc.
  162. Election appeals
  163. 58Paragraph 58
  164. 58AElection appeals
  165. Election appeals: power to make rules for House of Laity of General Synod
  166. 59Paragraph 59
  167. 59AElection appeals: appeal procedures
  168. Referral of appeal to bishop's council and standing committee
  169. 60Summary election appeal: notice
  170. 60ASummary election appeal: referral to relevant judge, etc.
  171. 60BSummary election appeal: parties
  172. 60CSummary election appeal: determination
  173. Determination of appeal
  174. 61Full election appeal: notice of appeal
  175. 61AFull election appeal: referral to bishop’s council and standing committee
  176. 61BEnrolment appeal or full election appeal: parties
  177. 61CEnrolment appeal or full election appeal: appointment of panel
  178. 61DEnrolment appeal or full election appeal: preliminary assessment
  179. 61EEnrolment appeal or full election appeal: appeal out of time
  180. 61FEnrolment appeal or full election appeal: consideration of matters at issue
  181. 61GEnrolment appeal: determination
  182. 61HFull election appeal: determination
  183. 61IAppeals: general
  184. Part 7: Disqualification etc.
  185. Disqualifications
  186. 62Paragraph 62
  187. Vacation of seat on deanery synod
  188. 63Paragraph 63
  189. Vacation of seat on diocesan synod
  190. 64Paragraph 64
  191. Vacation of seat in House of Laity of General Synod
  192. 65Paragraph 65
  193. Ex officio membership
  194. 66Paragraph 66
  195. Resignation
  196. 67Paragraph 67
  197. Safeguarding cases: disqualification and vacation of seat
  198. 68Paragraph 68
  199. Safeguarding cases: suspension
  200. 69Paragraph 69
  201. Safeguarding cases: appeal against suspension
  202. 70Paragraph 70
  203. Safeguarding cases: interpretation
  204. 71Paragraph 71
  205. Part 8: Miscellaneous
  206. Personal data handling
  207. 72Paragraph 72
  208. Casual vacancies
  209. 73Paragraph 73
  210. Irregularities
  211. 74Paragraph 74
  212. Constraints in elections
  213. 75Paragraph 75
  214. Communicating by email or post
  215. 76Paragraph 76
  216. Implied power to vary or revoke
  217. 77Paragraph 77
  218. Power of bishop to make supplementary provision etc.
  219. 78Paragraph 78
  220. Delegation by archbishop or bishop
  221. 79Paragraph 79
  222. Validity of proceedings, etc.
  223. 80Paragraph 80
  224. Power of Business Committee to specify matters
  225. 81Paragraph 81
  226. Interpretation: references to parishes and other areas
  227. 82Paragraph 82
  228. Interpretation: references to Church offices, structures etc.
  229. 83Paragraph 83
  230. Interpretation: remote meetings
  231. 83AParagraph 83A
  232. Interpretation: minor definitions
  233. 84Paragraph 84
  234. Part 9: Parish governance: Model Rules
  235. Chapter Section A: Annual parochial church meeting
  236. The annual meeting
  237. Timing and attendance
  238. M1Paragraph M1
  239. Convening meeting
  240. M2Paragraph M2
  241. New parish: special meeting
  242. M3Paragraph M3
  243. Proceedings and elections
  244. Chair
  245. M4Paragraph M4
  246. Business: reports etc.
  247. M5Paragraph M5
  248. Business: elections and appointments
  249. M6Paragraph M6
  250. Business: miscellaneous
  251. M7Paragraph M7
  252. Qualifications of persons to be elected
  253. M8Paragraph M8
  254. Conduct of an election
  255. M9Paragraph M9
  256. Adoption of STV system
  257. M10Paragraph M10
  258. Postal voting
  259. M11Paragraph M11
  260. Result of an election
  261. M12Paragraph M12
  262. Declaration as to disqualifications
  263. M12AParagraph M12A
  264. PCC members: training
  265. M12BParagraph M12B
  266. Special and extraordinary meetings
  267. Special meeting
  268. M13Paragraph M13
  269. Extraordinary meeting
  270. M14Paragraph M14
  271. Chapter Section B: Parochial church council
  272. Membership
  273. Members
  274. M15Paragraph M15
  275. Term of office: representatives of the laity
  276. M16Paragraph M16
  277. Term of office: other cases
  278. M17Paragraph M17
  279. Casual vacancies
  280. M18Paragraph M18
  281. Officers
  282. Chair and vice-chair
  283. M19Paragraph M19
  284. Secretary and treasurer
  285. M20Paragraph M20
  286. Electoral roll officer
  287. M21Paragraph M21
  288. Independent examiner or auditor
  289. M22Paragraph M22
  290. Business
  291. Meetings: time and place
  292. M23Paragraph M23
  293. Meetings: attendance
  294. M24Paragraph M24
  295. Meetings: notice
  296. M25Paragraph M25
  297. Meetings: chair
  298. M26Paragraph M26
  299. Meetings: procedure
  300. M27Paragraph M27
  301. Meetings: minutes
  302. M28Paragraph M28
  303. Business by correspondence
  304. M29Paragraph M29
  305. Audit of financial statements
  306. M30Paragraph M30
  307. Standing committee
  308. M31Paragraph M31
  309. Other committees
  310. M32Paragraph M32
  311. Extraordinary meetings
  312. M33Paragraph M33
  313. Schemes
  314. Parish with more than one place of worship: election of representatives of laity
  315. M34Paragraph M34
  316. Parish with more than one place of worship: district church council
  317. M35Paragraph M35
  318. District church council: disqualification
  319. M36Paragraph M36
  320. Chapter Section C: Joint councils
  321. Power to make scheme
  322. M37Paragraph M37
  323. Status, property and functions of joint council
  324. M38Paragraph M38
  325. Officers, business etc. of joint council
  326. M39Paragraph M39
  327. Parish ceasing to be connected or being dissolved
  328. M40Paragraph M40
  329. Disqualification
  330. M41Paragraph M41
  331. Procedure for making scheme
  332. M42Paragraph M42
  333. 10Forms
  334. 11Index
  335. Schedule 4: Transitional Provisions
  336. Transfer of Functions from Convocations
  337. 1Paragraph 1
  338. Reconstitution of Church Assembly
  339. 2Paragraph 2
  340. Changes affecting Diocesan and Ruridecanal Conferences
  341. 3Paragraph 3
  342. Commencement of Church Representation Rules
  343. 4Paragraph 4
  344. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  345. Power to Remove Transitional Difficulties
  346. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed