06.10.2022
D&G Synods adopt new governance standards reflecting international best practice
A Bill which seeks to ensure that the Diocesan Councils of Dublin and Glendalough carry out their functions in line with best practice and in accordance with charities regulations was passed by members of Diocesan Synods meeting in Taney Parish Centre on Tuesday evening.
The Bill is the result of more than a year’s work by Diocesan Councils, its proposer Robert Neill told Synod members. It makes provision for the membership, duties, functions and powers of Diocesan Councils in a way which reflects and is based upon best practice within the Anglican Communion both nationally and internationally, whilst at the same time reflecting the obligations on members of Diocesan Councils under the Charities Act, he explained. Members of Diocesan Councils are the charity trustees for the united dioceses.
The explanatory memorandum for the Bill states that the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough is a registered charity. The Bill aims to enable Diocesan Councils to meet the six principles of governance, including working effectively and being accountable and transparent as set out in the 2018 Governance Code of the Charities Act 2009.
The passing of the Bill will result in changes to the composition of councils. The Bill provides for the election of two honorary secretaries, one clerical and one lay, and one lay honorary treasurer each triennium by each Synod (of Dublin and of Glendalough). The four honorary secretaries and two honorary treasures of Synods will also be the honorary secretaries and treasurers to Councils.
The number of members of councils will be reduced from, from 45 to 35, but the existing ratio of Dublin members to Glendalough members will be maintained.
Among the principle functions of Diocesan Councils as set out in the Bill are to forward the mission of the Church within the United Dioceses; to support and promote ministry within the United Dioceses and, subject to the overarching authority and jurisdiction of the Archbishop in respect of ministry, to encourage the development of ministry with the United Dioceses; and to be responsible for the management of its funds and property.
The Bill is available to read in full here.
Proposing the Bill Mr Neill paid tribute to the members of the working group set up by Councils for the purpose of making recommendations to councils on charities legislation and governance. He reserved particular mention for Lyndon McCann who he said had given a huge amount of time and research to the undertaking. He also paid tribute to the Assessor to Synod who helped finalise the Bill.
During a lengthy debate a number of members expressed concern about shifting power balances which they felt would be created by the Bill. Others raised concerns about how specific elements of the Bill may affect individuals. Some members pointed out that Diocesan Councils had been asked to carry out the work and that as trustees, members of Councils had to comply with charities regulations. Without the Bill they said that members of Synods would leave the trustees open to being non–compliant. A number of members expressed reservation at the speed at which the Bill was presented to members and asked for more time to consider it.
Voting on the Bill took place by orders and it was passed in both houses, clerical and lay.
