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Report of Diocesan Synod on 11 March 2006

1. National Committee for Minority Anglican Concerns (CMEAC)

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd John Gladwin (‘Bishop John’), and Canon Justin McKenzie introduced a paper on the recommendations from National CMEAC Advisory Team and the response of the Diocesan CMEAC Group (DCMEAC). Bishop John said he had undergone racism awareness training on two occasions as part of teams with corporate responsibilities and had found them challenging but they had a positive impact on performance of roles. He applauded the suggestion that Bishop’s Council and senior diocesan staff undertake such training, and suggested that training could then be rolled out more widely. He also supported the idea of bringing together different parts of the diocese, not just for multi-cultural issues, but also as a window into them. The Archbishop of Canterbury had reminded us that human life comes in specific forms, he said, and that each of us has different experiences, as our social settings are different.

Canon McKenzie said that the Church needed to monitor its behaviour with ‘people of difference’. He suggested that the existence of ‘black churches’ is an indictment of the Church of England if it suggests that the Church is monochrome. Those who understand that justice comes from the heart of God cannot continue singing and praying if some of our practices are unjust, he said.

The debate included comments that we need to aim not only for a just Church, but for a just society; that leaders of ethnic minorities must also encourage their people to join in; that schools face challenges where the racial mix is changing, and refugees from areas of conflict from opposing sides find themselves in the same classroom. It was pointed out that there are not enough parishes with racial mixes to twin with those without racial mixes.

Canon McKenzie said that more work is required on twinning.  In the past there was a rarity of black experience in lives, once only found in East London, but now it can also be found in many other places, and the migration continues. Cultural diversity is here to stay.

The motion was carried unanimously: to approve racial and cultural awareness training for Bishop’s Council and the diocesan senior management group by 31 March 2007, to instruct the DCMEAC to produce revised term of reference and a draft budget to Bishop’s Council at its May meeting, and to authorise the Diocesan CMEAC Group to institute and monitor twinning of parishes across the diocese.

2. Annual Review and Reporting

The Communications Director, Ralph Meloy, reported that Bishop’s Council had recommended a ‘family’ of three annual reports to give the right news to the right group at the right time, comprising: edited highlights to build positive relationships with partners outside the Church; a report to the DBF for Companies House and the Charity Commissioners; and a report to Synod, to include summary financial information if required. He emphasised that East Window and NB communications would continue. He invited comments on the content, length and style of the reports.

Comments were that the three reports are needed, but a concise report that would encompass the three reports might also be produced for the person in the pew.  Reports should be cross-referenced so that a fuller picture could be obtained if wished, and care must be taken not to water down information.

The motion that Synod endorses the recommendation that a family of three separate Annual Review 2005 documents be published, put by the Chair, was carried.

3. Reports

A report from Bishop’s Council including reference to the annual reviews, child protection and the CMEAC audit was received by Synod.

The Chief Executive, Steven Webb, spoke to a report from the Finance Committee, correcting the deficit advised of approximately £600,000 to a figure closer to £747,000. The difference was caused mainly by a double counting of housing credits, and was due to translating figures from one place to another. The new system now installed will mean that this mistake cannot happen again. The Chair of the Finance Committee will investigate the reasons for the occurrence and the timing of its coming to light, and ensure that such errors will not recur. He pointed out that the deficit is still principally caused by the shortfall on parish share.

4. Budget for 2007

Robert Berry presented an amendment to the budget process, taking the budget through consultation to approval, to eliminate the need for changes particularly on key items. This should improve the discussion process.

5. Child protection policy and procedures

The Synod gave its overwhelming support to a new child protection policy and procedures. The Child Protection Adviser, Revd Jean Halliday, spoke to this policy which is a reference document available in print and on a CD ROM. Each parish should have its own policy with reference to the main policy document. The policy covers all aspects, including good practice and signs of abuse.

Training sessions would deal with the specific procedures. Children and adults must be safe when attending activities in the diocese. Statistics indicate that with one in ten women and one in 25 men being abused during their lifetime in society at large, the Church would have both some very hurt people in its congregations, whom it needed to take steps to make whole again, and some perpetrators whom it need to support in their rehabilitation.

CRB checks from other organisations were no longer acceptable. The training schedule would be published soon. It is mandatory from bishops to volunteers.

The debate included points that appropriate support must be in place if someone is abused; and the need to be aware of the effect of false accusations, which have impacted on children as well as the people accused. Statistics indicate that two out of three of accusations are proved false. We must be prepared for priests to have such false accusations against them, especially when they are dynamic and trying to be alongside those to whom they minister.

Revd Halliday said that the policy is a living document and will be revised annually. Three people from the Barking Area have volunteered help with training. Help was being sought in the other areas.

6. Regeneration issues

The Bishop of Bradwell, The Rt Revd Laurie Green, introduced clergy who spoke about regeneration projects across the diocese. Projects included housing, shopping malls, airports, road and rail.  There was a requirement for infrastructure and services. The issues needed  to be raised with parishes and deaneries and taken into account in building mission strategy.

At Stansted Airport low-fare air travel has led to phenomenal growth (22 million passengers a year). In Broxted with Chickney, which abuts the airport, the proposed expansion would take land from the area. Their experience is loss of land and quiet route-ways, loss of identity of farmers and the development of SSE (Stop Stansted Expansion) and the emergence of a one-issue community.

The Harwich £300 million deep container port will bring 1,600 jobs into an area with a high level of unemployment.  Hutchison Ports has promised an upgrade to the A12, but there is concern about noise and light pollution. Opinions are divided.

In Myland, Colchester, some 5,000 new homes are being built for 17,000 people, a parish expansion of 400%. There are five other regional projects in the area. However, since the year 2000 most local shops, the primary school, and most pubs have closed. The parish hall has been redeveloped and three grants have been obtained for part-time staff and two volunteer ministers. English classes for the multi-ethnic population have been funded by the Home Office. Alliances have been formed with the local development team with whom there is informed debate.

The Archdeacon of West Ham, Ven Michael Fox, spoke of the historic experience of the Becontree estate development and of coping with changes in population many years ago. Becontree went from a few farms to 28,000 houses in three years; nine parishes were created; one Sunday school numbered 800 children; and there were great social programmes. 

In the Thames Gateway, St Clements Church was surrounded by a factory development, and therefore moved to an exciting new complex comprising a new church with new technology, a hall, meeting rooms, a kitchen, offices, a nursery school and a health centre. The Church was open to and aware of the needs of the local population and made some land available to meet those needs. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provided a £1 million grant and the private nursery came with funding. The NHS also provided funding.

Southend is one of three hubs with development as a leisure centre, and an education centre (13,000 students at South East Essex College and Essex University of 3,000). A part-time chaplain was made possible due to the closure of a church and the deanery’s willingness to review and update its plans. There is also an ecumenical project, an interdenominational reference group, part-time support from other ministers and accommodation from the university.

Stratford is not only the site for the Olympics, but part of a larger regeneration, ‘Stratford City’. The church is part of the local community not just a faith group. It receives some funding for redevelopment but mainly provides input into the scheme.

Bishop Laurie said that similar issues are arising elsewhere. Important questions need to be asked about affordable housing, ecology, water, flood plans, oil resources, whether the new areas will be communities or soulless places, and how mission should be shaped to match the development.

Among other points of debate it was noted that development requires finance, church plants, resources, workers and buildings.  The diocese should take account of history, jettison what has served its purpose, make necessary changes, question government policies and include the ecumenical perspective.  

The motion to gather local information and use it to inform the Deanery Visions was carried unanimously.

7. Questions

In response to a question on how Readers are licensed to the diocese, deanery or parish, Bishop John said that the bishop determines the area of ministry.  Someone may minister anywhere in the diocese with the permission of the incumbent. Replying to a supplementary question about whether a Reader who is capable in one deanery should be allowed to minister in the whole diocese, the Bishop said that it depended on their gifts. Questions about licences should be directed to the bishops.

In response to the question on whether the formula for seats on Diocesan Synod might be reviewed to ensure fair representation for the smaller deaneries, the Chief Executive said that the formula would be examined before the 2009 elections.

Replying a question regarding the HSE Paper, ‘Questions about the new Work at Height Regulations 2005’ the Chief Executive promised a written reply to members.

8. Other matters

Congratulations were offered to Revd Dr Christopher Cunliffe on his appointment as Archdeacon of Derby.

An open meeting on ‘Welcoming prison visitors’ had been scheduled for 30th March at 6pm at Bullwood Hall Prison. Those who wished to attend were invited to advise Lydia Gladwin at Bishopscourt.


Members indicated overwhelming support for Synod to start and end earlier in the day.

Dates of future Synods

3 June 2006
11 November 2006

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