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Report of 6 June 2009 Synod

Abbeyfield Community Project, Colchester

Revd Paul Norrington, Rector of Christ Church in Colchester, reported that the inter-church Abbeyfield Community Project was building a sense of community across a rapidly expanding development. This housed 10,000 people on ex-Colchester Garrison land across three parishes and seven congregations.

Events at a community house, which had been purchased by the United Reformed Church with certain costs underwritten by Chelmsford Diocese, included toddler groups, worship, youth events, clinics, poetry groups, craft groups and residents' meetings. There was a half-term fun day. Partnerships had been formed with housing association, residents' association, community development workers, police, councillors, education representatives, adult education and a credit union.

Presentation of Diocesan Advisory Committee Awards

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd John Gladwin, praised the quality of the craftsmanship in church buildings. This spoke of the future and the commitment to provide ministry into the future. All those concerned were always seeking to raise standards in all they achieved.

Annual Reports to Diocesan Synod 2008

Members received a publication, comprising more than 30 reports from various groups complemented by on-line reports, which had been edited by the Communications Director, Ralph Meloy. Bishop John recorded thanks to staff and volunteers for their considerable achievements. The Report is available at www.chelmsford.anglican.org/annualreport08

New Mission & Pastoral Committee

The upper age limit for a young elected lay person was set at 27 years. All retiring members would be eligible for re-election bearing in mind the age limit for the young representative. The membership and constitution of the committee was agreed and a resolution to dissolve the current Pastoral Committee was passed.

Diocesan Board of Finance AGM

The Chair of the Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance, Canon John Sprence OBE, reported that there had been a modest surplus for 2008 after significant deficits of past years. This was due to tight cost control, quality of management information and an increase of 3.5% in parish share received. The latter was the result of the work of the Finance Committee and the quality of Canon Don Cardy's analysis.

Mr Spence had concerns that the £300,000 additional funding from the Archbishops' Council would end in 2010, and that the need to provide for clergy pensions and another pension scheme would continue to be an issue. The loan was not cleared due to the state of the property market, and now stood at £850,000.

The annual accounts were adopted. The auditors for 2010 would be selected through a tendering exercise. It was agreed to re-appoint the current auditors for this year.

Budget 2010

Canon Don Cardy reported that the budget consultation would take place towards end of June 2009. Factors were the effect of the recession on parishes; a large increase in clergy pension contributions to 45 per cent of the National Minimum Stipend (similar to 2007) which might be further increased to 57 per cent unless the financial situation improved. The Church Commissioners provided bridging finance to ease the effects previously, but this was not possible on the present occasion. The Diocese would have to find bridging finance within its own means, but there was an issue with cash flow. Parishes could probably not cope with a larger than usual increase. About 2 per cent would be acceptable with a maximum of 3 per cent, he said.

Since the last recession in 1990 the Church Commissioners' support was broadly the same but had changed from more general help to targeted help. This seemed to be assured for 2010 but it was uncertain in subsequent years. The Parish Share had increased threefold largely due to the costs of pensions (£3m) and parsonages. Membership was down by 25 per cent while required giving had almost doubled. Grants would have to be applied to the needy parts of the Diocese. The shortfall in Share had been about 6 per cent, better in the past three years, but there was more to do. The General Fund showed deficits from 1996 until 2008. This explained the low level of working capital. 2009 and 2010 would be crucial in reducing the shortfalls further while the Commissioners' funds were still available. At the end of May 2009 receipts were 7 per cent ahead of 2008 because more parishes were paying regularly and 40 parishes that had paid nothing last year had made their first payments. Summaries of parishes' 2008 accounts had been submitted, which showed that regular giving by Gift Aid was up by 5 per cent.

Due to declining clergy numbers the lower payroll would cover the increase in pension costs by 2016 provided that there were no other shocks. In 2011-2012 the Diocese would know more about the Pension Scheme and the Commissioners' grant. The Budget would be brought to the November meeting for approval.

Members voiced concern at reliance on reducing Clergy numbers in order to balance the books, as this might had the unintended consequence of losing congregation members. Mr Cardy replied that these numbers were not Chelmsford's but the National Church Share. Bishop's Staff was working on ways to deal with this through the use of stipendiary and self-supporting Ministers.

In reply to a question about whether the pension increase would cover the deficit, Mr Cardy that a full review was taking place this year. The increase from 2010 was an interim one. The next increase would be in 2011.

Canon Harry Marsh said that the concept of the review identified the position at the end of 2009, the deficit to be recovered, but also aimed to set a contribution rate irrespective of the deficit, looking at forecasts. The 57 per cent predicted would be a combination of deficit and future income. The other side of the coin are the benefits to clergy, which is the realm of the Archbishops' Council and the Clergy. Some changes had recently been made. However, they did not solve the problem. A Task Group was looking at the problem and suggesting changes in the scheme to cut costs. Many commercial companies were changing pension schemes.

A member suggested that the retirement age should go up as Clergy, in common with other people, are living longer. The suggestion that savings should be made from the Mission Opportunity Fund in order to bridge costs was described as misdirected. Ways of finding alternative funding should be explored. The Chief Executive, Steven Webb, commented that although there was a need to focus on mission, it was necessary to be a good steward. The Diocese had no choice over increase in pensions and could not increase parish share if shortfalls increased. Other mission was taking place in the parishes without being called "mission".

The point was made that the giving target of 5 per cent needed to be met.

In response to a question about the numbers of houses involved in the option to sell surplus housing, Mr Spence reported that a survey was under way, but roughly 10-20 houses might be involved. Selling would need to be done in a controlled way.

It was reported that some dioceses had used grants to maintain unsustainable ministry.

Mr Cardy stated that the Diocese was working in an integrated way that brought together finance and ministry. Some of the things that needed to be addressed had been identified.

Diocesan Synod Elections

Mr Webb reported that nominations for seats had closed on the previous day.

Update on Chelmsford Diocesan Synod at General Synod

Steven Webb reported that two motions had been sent to General Synod: one in relation to the Clergy Discipline Measure and the pastoral impact; and the second on the use of the Bible. The Clergy Discipline Measure would be considered at the next Synod. The second motion was "contingent business" for the next Synod.

Questions

In response to a question concerning sick leave cover for Clergy in view of the swine flu epidemic, Bishop John reported that while there were no formal arrangements, the Archdeacons would advise if there was a need to use reserved Sacrament. In response to a supplementary question on whether it was intended to have a list of clergy available to provide support, Bishop John said that the senior team in the Diocese would ensure that pastoral cover was provided. To a further supplementary on whether it was permissible for laity to distribute the Sacrament at a service, Bishop John said that the Bishops' permission for licensed lay ministers was in place for services and for sick communion, though CRB clearance would be required for the latter. The Bishops and Archdeacons would act in an emergency. The Archdeacon of Colchester, Ven Annette Cooper, added that there were lists of retired clergy in the Areas.

In response to a question about the election of too many members to a Parochial Church Council, Steven Webb said that an incorrect election would not disqualify a PCC under the Church Representation Rules; however, decisions might need to be checked to ensure that the additional PCC members did not unduly influence it.

Farewells

Steven Webb bade farewell to those leaving Synod at the end of the triennium; to Revd Canon David Parrot, General Synod member, on his move to London Diocese; and to Revd Canon Peter Hartley, Director of Education, on his retirement.

Canon Dr Susan Atkin, Vice-President of Synod, bade farewell to Bishop John, praising him for his leadership of the Clergy, his pastoral oversight, and his encouragement for vocations, especially among women, ethnic minorities and young people. Bishop John had a great way of encouraging dialogue, she said. He had encouraged lay people in the use of their gifts. He had been a leader in mission, developing new ways of being Church. He had left a good platform from which to launch into the future. He had been concerned about getting finances back on track. Good appointments had been made under his leadership, including three Archdeacons, one a woman. During his career he had shown leadership in the community - in his roles in the Archbishops' Council Ministry Division, the House of Lords, and with Christian Aid in partnership with the Church.
Bishop John responded that Chelmsford was a large and diverse diocese, and he had had great fun during his time as Diocesan Bishop. His main sadness was in leaving people behind.

Date of Next Meeting

14 November 2009 in Chelmsford Cathedral

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