St Leonard's District Church CouncilParish of Farleigh ConstitutionThe Parish of FarleighConstitution of the Single Parish1. Farleigh Parish1.1 The Parish of Farleigh will consist of the congregations of the churches of Cliddesden, Dummer, Ellisfield and Farleigh Wallop. 1.2 It shall be called the Parish of Farleigh. 1.3 The designated parish churches shall be St Leonard’s Cliddesden, All Saints Dummer, St Martin’s Ellisfield and St Andrew’s Farleigh Wallop. 2. Principal Aims 2.1 To enable the proclamation of the Gospel by any and all means, to all in the parish of Farleigh. 2.2 To ensure that pastoral care is available to all. 3. Secondary Aims 3.1 To keep all churches open for regular worship. 3.2 To promote the mission of the Congregation(s) to the wider community. 3.3 To fix times and places of public worship and arrange for the administration of the sacraments, in accordance with the customs and practices of the Church of England. 3.4 To ensure that all minutes and records required by the Church of England and the Diocese are kept, secured, and produced when requested. 3.5 To arrange for the election of representatives to the Deanery Synod. 3.6 To draw up and maintain the Single Parish Electoral Roll 3.7 To ensure representation on the Parochial Church Council for each of the congregations as specified in Clause 4 below. 3.8 To recommend the appointment of the Parish Priest when a vacancy occurs. 3.9 To be responsible for the financial administration and property maintenance of the Parish, delegating such functions as appropriate to the relevant District Church Council (DCCs), when approved, and for the presentation of budgets and annual accounts. 3.10 To maintain the fabric and chattels of each church and to approve and procure repairs and improvements to the fabric of each Church as recommended by and in consultation with each DCC. 3.11 To procure the payment of the Diocesan Parish Share. 3.12 To support and administer charitable giving by the Parish.
4. Parochial Church Council (PCC) Structure
4.1 Structure and Membership
4.1.1 Membership, Officers and Quorum: Chairman (Parish Priest) Readers licensed to the Parish (ex-officio members). Any other clergy licensed to the parish (ex-officio members). All Church Wardens elected in accordance with Church Representation Rules. Representatives of the laity from each District elected in accordance with Church Representation Rules and in accordance with any Bishop’s Instrument ensuring minimum representation from each District. Any Deanery Synod Representatives who are not members of the PCC (ex officio members)
From the membership of the PCC and elected by the PCC: Deputy Chairman (elected by and from the PCC) Secretary (may be co-opted from outside the PCC, by vote of the PCC) Treasurer (may be co-opted from outside the PCC, by vote of the PCC)
4.1.2 The PCC may co-opt up to two additional members.
4.1.3 Co-opted Members are full voting members of the PCC.
4.1.5 Procedures for notices of meetings, agenda and quorum will be in accordance with Church Representation Rules.
4.1.6 A Minute Secretary may be appointed but will not be entitled to vote unless already a member of the PCC.
4.1.7 Deanery Synod Representatives will be elected in accordance with the rules laid down by the Diocesan Synod.
4.2 Election Procedures
Representatives of the Laity, Church Wardens and Deanery Synod Representatives will be elected and serve terms of office in accordance with Church Representation Rules.
4.3 Frequency of Meetings
The PCC will meet at least four times a year and will hold an Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) by 30th April each year after all the ADCMs for that year have taken place.
4.4 Standing Committee
4.4.1 There will be a Standing Committee consisting of the Parish Priest, all Churchwardens (ex officio) and two others appointees who may be the Treasurer and Secretary in accordance with Church Representation Rules
4.4.2 The standing committee is responsible for dealing with urgent issues.
4.5 Other Significant Functions
The PCC is responsible for ensuring compliance with: i. Child Protection. ii. Disability Discrimination Act. iii. Health and Safety. iv. Gift Aid. v. Any other statutory duties.
4.6 Committees of the PCC
The PCC may authorize committees to be responsible for particular aspects of parish life.
5. District Church Councils (DCC) ( to be approved at the first APCM after the formation of the Single Parish and approved by the Bishop of Winchester)
5.1 Structure and Membership
Cliddesden, Dummer and Ellisfield with Farleigh Wallop will each form a Distrct Church Council (DCC) on the basis of the parish boundaries as existing at the time. Membership of the DCC is open to all those on the relevant District sub-section of the Single Parish Electoral Roll. The elected Church Wardens of the Single Parish are automatically members of the DCC and the Chairman shall be a Church Warden or Deputy Churchwarden. Other members of the DCC shall be nominated and elected at the Annual District Church Meeting.
5.2 Frequency and Purpose of Meetings
5.2.1 The DCC will meet at least three times a year and will additionally hold an Annual District Church Meeting (ADCM) by 31st March each year before the Annual Parish Church Meeting (APCM) for that year.
5.2.2 Anyone is entitled to attend and speak at each Annual District Church Meeting, but may only vote at the Annual District Church Meeting of the church on whose sub-section of the Single Parish Electoral Roll they are registered.
5.2.3 The purpose of the ADCM is to consider the activities of the DCC.
5.3 Aims and Functions of the DCC
5.3.1 To manage and monitor the fabric and routine maintenance of each individual church and churchyard and to consult with and to make recommendations to the PCC on repairs, maintenance and improvements.
5.3.2 To manage regular giving, including gift aid in consultation with the Gift Aid Officer of the PCC.
5.3.3 To arrange and manage Quinquennial inspections.
5.3.4 To manage finances in accordance with the scheme set out in Clause 6 below. and according to the level agreed by the PCC
5.3.5 If approved by the relevant DCC, to institute and manage in accordance with rules agreed by the PCC a “Friends of the Church Scheme”.
5.3.6 To maintain individual church records and submit returns as appropriate to the relevant Officer of the PCC.
5.3.7 To liaise with and appoint representatives to relevant village organizations.
5.3.8 To fund raise when appropriate.
6. Finance
6.1 The Parish of Farleigh will comply with its obligations under the Charities Act 1993, as amended or superseded, in respect of:
i. The keeping of accounting records for the PCC. ii. The preparation of annual statements of account for the PCC. iii. The transmission of the statements of account to the PCC. iv. The preparation of an annual report and budget. v. The institution and management of financial rules for any “Friends of the Church Schemes” established by District Church Committees under Clause 5.3 above.
6.2 Accounts are to be prepared in accordance with the provisions of any Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the Charity Commission, unless the PCC is required to prepare accounts in accordance with the provisions of such a Statement prepared by another body.
7. Changes to this Constitution
Changes to the Constitution may only be made at an APCM and will take effect after the following APCM. Any such changes must be consistent with clause 8 of this Constitution
8. Law Nothing in this constitution or any changes to this constitution shall contravene anything in the Church Representation Rules 2006, or any subsequent revisions or replacements. Adopted on 1st January 2008 by the undersigned:
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