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PORTSMOUTH DIOCESAN SYNOD Minutes of a meeting held on Saturday 20 June 2015 in Cathedral House. PRESENT: The Rt Revd Christopher Foster (Lord Bishop of Portsmouth), some 24 members of the House of Clergy and 28 members of the House of Laity. Apologies had been received from 13 clergy and 14 lay members. THE BISHOP OF PORTSMOUTH IN CHAIR 1049 WELCOME AND NOTICES Bishop Christopher welcomed everyone to the June Diocesan Synod. Bishop Christopher formally promulged to Synod amending Canons 32 and 33. 1050 MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 1 NOVEMBER 2014 It was noted that due to a clerical error the papers sent to members had not included the minutes of the November 2014. It was agreed that those minutes would be dealt with at the November 2015 synod with the minutes of this meeting. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Bishop Christopher addressed Synod: text of the address is included at Appendix 1. BOB WHITE IN THE CHAIR 1052 DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE 2014 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS Malcolm Twigger-Ross, Director of Finance presented a summary report on the PDBF annual accounts. The main areas discussed were changes in properties and clergy numbers. The Chairman of the Diocesan Finance Committee, John Gwynn, proposed that: ‘The report of the Board of Finance for 2014 be received and that the Board’s accounts for 2014 be approved’ The motion was seconded by Lucy Docherty. This was agreed nem con Gratitude was expressed to the Finance Team and the Diocesan Finance Committee. 1053 OTHER 2014 REPORTS Hilary Spurgeon (East Wight) proposed that ‘The remaining annual reports be received’ The motion was seconded by David Bennison (West Wight) This was agreed nem con Gratitude was expressed to Diocesan staff for all their hard work. LUCY DOCHERTY IN THE CHAIR 1054 PARISH SHARE APPORTIONMENT GROUP REPORT – PAPER 1 & PAPER 2 Hugh Mason (Portsmouth), Chair of the Parish Share Apportionment Task and Finish Group spoke to papers 1 & 2 and explained the findings of this group. The group had been tasked to look at the current system and if this needed updating. The group had found that the current system 1 continued to work well and had noted that there was a high collection rate compared to many other dioceses with different systems of apportionment. However the figures used to determine a parish’s potential ability to pay were significantly out of date as they were based on data from the 2001 national census. The 2011 census data did not provide exactly comparable information and the group had in any event discovered that there now existed more relevant and detailed data that might be used in place of census information which had always been indicative rather than related to actual household income. A commercial company Experian had provided household income data to parish level and after a great many meetings and modelling of potential systems the group recommended using this data and retaining the existing other element in the formula, of weekly attendance averaged over a rolling 10 year period. The Experian data showed that the wealthier households were on average about three times better off than the poorest so the group recommended reflecting this in the formula for parish share distribution. Figures for new suggested share rates based on new SE figures had been calculated and it was proposed to change these over a three year transition period. Hugh Mason noted that the Diocesan Finance Committee and Bishops Council had both passed these suggested changes. Lucy Docherty asked if there were any questions on the Parish Share apportionment. Mike Duff, Portsmouth asked for clarification if total figures suggested were the total for a three year phase in. It was clarified this was the case. Mark Wharton, West Wight asked how far Deaneries could adjust figures. It was clarified as under the previous system deaneries could make any adjustments agreed by them. Geoffery Barwick, Petersfield asked why a 10 year average weekly attendance was considered the best way forward. It was clarified that this system is working and 10 years removes any dips and unhelpful trends. Other spreads had been modelled by the group but these produced very unhelpful swings year to year. Wendy Kennedy, Diocesan Secretary, presented a summary of the Parish Share Apportionment model Hugh Mason proposed the following motion to be moved under Standing Order 31. ‘This Synod notes that the outcome of extensive work to review the method of apportioning the parish share to be requested at local level and the proposal to introduce the changes over a three year transition period. While recognising that these changes will bring significant challenges for some parishes Synod commends the proposed model, which uses more up to date, detailed and widely accepted data.’ Louise Clay Seconded the motion. The following debate took place: Ruth Schofield, Fareham asked how would deaneries be supported to even out changes? Wendy Kennedy stated that information and assistance was available from the Diocesan staff team.. Chris Reynolds, Havant asked about the wealth gap and why the scale has changed from 5-1 to 3-1. Hugh Mason stated that this scaling better reflected the actual position in terms of wealth distribution. Louise Clay, Petersfield spoke in favour of the motion and noted a lot of work had gone into the revision. This new revised system was fairer with a three year phases in as a recognition that some parishes would struggle. The Parish Church should serve the whole community and churches look to the community to fund work. 2 Peter Leonard, Portsmouth asked if declining parishes would be supported. Wendy Kennedy stated that work by Charlie Peer on the Mission Development Plan and work by Victoria James, Stewardship Officer aimed to support struggling parishes. Michael Lane, Chair of the Parish Share Review Group spoke in favour of the motion as a fairer system noting that whilst there were high percentage changes the actual monetary value was in many cases relatively low. John Gwynn, Diocesan Finance Committee Chair stated that deanery finance chairs would be able to listen to issues within parishes. David Bennison urged the deaneries to think about how their parishes might support one another. Geoffery Barwick, Petersfield noted that there were significant changes in poorer urban areas and this would be reduced on a 5-1 scale. John Gywnn stated that this would be the cases but system aims to be fairer. Mark Whatson, West Wight noted that some Island parishes who are struggling to pay shortfalls would now be subject to increased share rate. John Gwynn responded that a system ased on who had been paying would not be fair and would not work. Hugh Mason noted that those with deficits are best discussed on an individual basis. Petica Tedbury, Gosport asked for clarification of the issue of parishes in plurality with several increases but only one clergy member. Gavin Collins stated that from the experience of other Dioceses this was a fair system, where a central pot deploys clergy according to need and there is a sense of mutual fellowship and support. The new system is sustainable and 3-1 is a closer acceptance of reality. The motion to was agreed nem con Bishop Christopher thanked the work of the two groups chaired by Michael Lane and Hugh Mason and then thanked the Synod for the maturity of the debate and their support in this. A presentation was given by Victoria James, Stewardship Adviser, on the way forward for stewardship. Victoria stated that parishes with higher levels of giving typically had good campaigns, correspondence with those giving (annual renewal letter) and a parish stewardship promoter. Figures were displayed showing an average of the highest and lowest gifts in 2013. Victoria then explained the Parish Giving scheme launched in April 2015 and looked at parishes potential to see an increase in giving. The presentation demonstrated a positive capacity for growth in this area. BOB WHITE IN THE CHAIR 1055 GENERAL SYNOD REPORT Lucy Docherty updated the Synod on the latest discussions at General Synod. The previous General Synod sessions had discussed the Reform and Renewal Agenda, safeguarding, and rural parishes. The next meeting would take place in July where developments of these items would be discussed along with climate change. In 2015 elections for a new General Synod would take place and current members would visit deanery synods to encourage engagement. The timetable for elections was discussed and it was noted hustings would take place on 17th September at 7.30pm in the Cathedral. 1056 THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND - REFORM AND RENEWAL – PAPER 3 Bishop Christopher introduced the Reform and Renewal (R & R) agenda – which is a national campaign to aid transformation within the Church of England. 3 Synod members watched an introductory video by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. Gavin Collins then spoke to paper 3 and took the Synod through the summary of findings based on the Reform and Renewal report extracts. He noted two representatives from the Archbishops’ Council had attended a Bishop’s Council planning day in May. The aim of this work is to look at where the Church of England will be in five years’ time – what is the real mission, what is our ambition and capacity, what works/doesn’t work and how can we work ecumenically. Gavin highlighted the main streams within the programme, noting the aim is to remove unnecessary bureaucracy. A panel comprising the Bishop, the Archdeacons, the lay and clergy Diocesan Synod chairs and the Diocesan Secretary took questions from the floor. Chris Reynolds, Havant asked about the acceptance of lay leadership in this scheme.

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