RESTRICTED HB(17)01 – SUMMARY OF DECISIONS HOUSE OF BISHOPS HOUSE OF BISHOPS 22 – 23 MAY 2017 SUMMARY OF DECISIONS PROPOSALS FOR DELEGATION (HB(17)05) House agreed in principle to proposals for delegation, but requested the Standing Committee to finalise the shape and membership of the proposed new sub- committee. In particular, the House felt that the membership should include some members of the House who could bring a fresh perspective to items coming from the Ministry and Education committees and should not just be made up of Bishops on those committees. The House agreed that the new sub-committee should exist for a three year period from its establishment. At the end of that period, the House should consider whether it should be continued or brought to an end. The House requested that the Standing Committee look at how the House could develop its understanding of the process of delegation in order to have more trust in the process. The House requested that the Standing Committee consider at its June meeting the criteria by which business was scheduled on House agendas to see if more space could be made to enable more in-depth reflection and discussion of major issues. They also requested the Standing Committee to consider whether there was too much duplication of business on the agendas of various boards and councils and whether this could be addressed. The House requested the Standing Committee to give further consideration to the role of Observer members of the House and how they could be involved more in its discussions. Action: June Standing Committee The House requested that time be given at the September College to do some thinking on the ‘meta-narrative’ of the Church of England Action: Secretary General and Bishop at Lambeth The House requested Secretary General to do further work on the name and membership of the new sub-committee and to bring these revised proposals to the June Standing Committee for consideration and implementation. Action: Secretary General and Clerk

PANEL SESSION OF EPISCOPAL REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER GROUPS The House heard from the episcopal representatives. The following points for further action emerged: The House requested to return to the question at a later date of how these various initiatives were being connected up. The House noted the plans for the creation of a new Evangelism and Discipleship Department at Church House. Secretary General to continue the consultation process with staff on the proposed establishment of an Evangelism and Discipleship Department, and to inform the House of the arrangements to be implemented. 1 RESTRICTED HB(17)01 HOUSE OF BISHOPS Further conversations should be held with the Church Commissioners on the long- term financial costs of Bishops’ ministry. The House agreed that this should take place during the course of this triennium.

SESSION 2: NEXT STEPS ON HUMAN SEXUALITY AND REFLECTIONS ON THE SEE OF SHEFFIELD ARCHBISHOPS’ PAPER ON THE TEACHING DOCUMENT AND THE PASTORAL OVERSIGHT GROUP – (HB(17)06) The House supported the general direction of travel outlined in the paper. In discussion the House requested that the proposed job title of a ‘Project Manager’ should be changed; suggestions were made for the post to be titled “Enabling Officer”. The Secretary General agreed to consider this. The House agreed to ask the Business Committee for a presentation at the July Synod on the on-going work to establish a Pastoral Advisory Group and the setting up of the Teaching Document workstreams The House agreed to amend the Archer PMM in the manner set out in the paper The House agreed that the Business Committee could be invited to consider scheduling the Ozanne PMM and the Blackburn DSM in July

SEE OF SHEFFIELD – REFLECTIONS (HB(17)07) The House took note of the paper. The House also prayed for the Bishop of Newcastle and the events in Jesmond parish.

SELECTION PROCESS REVIEW: APPROVAL OF NEW CRITERIA - HB(17)08 The House made a number of suggestions for amending the criteria, particularly with regard to the evidence used to test the criteria. The BISHOP OF ST EDMUNDSBURY AND IPSWICH agreed to take on board these amendments. He said that a sub-group would be established this summer to work further on the evidence testing of the criteria, in order that the criteria can be published in September 2017. The sub group will report back to the House in December 2017 on progress with the renewal of Selection processes and final proposals would be brought to the House May 2018.

BISHOPS’ GUIDELINES ON ORDINATION TRAINING - HB(17)09 The House agreed to give its final approval to these draft Guidelines.

PROPOSALS ON INTER-CHANGEABILITY OF MINISTRIES WITH THE METHODISTS - HB(17)10

2 RESTRICTED HB(17)01 HOUSE OF BISHOPS The House voted to agree the publication of the document from the Joint Working Group with a view to enabling further consultation between the two churches during the remainder of 2017. Action: Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs and Theology

SAFEGUARDING UPDATE – HB(17)11 The House requested that further consideration be given to the language of ‘survivor/ respondent’ etc The House requested that staff do further work to address perceived disconnection between the Clergy Discipline Measure and certain aspects of Safeguarding practice guidance, returning to the House with proposals for changes. Action: Legal Office and NST The House agreed to send any further comments on the proposed Practice guidance over the following 2 week period. The House agreed that the Practice Guidance as revised would go to the National Safeguarding Steering Group (NSSG) for approval in June. Action: NST The House requested that in future Safeguarding papers should be circulated at least a fortnight prior to their meetings, and that – wherever possible – papers should be marked ‘Restricted’ so that they could be shared with DSAs. The House requested that the decisions they were being asked to make should be flagged clearly and up-front in any future documentation. Action: NST

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PETER BALL REVIEW The House agreed the recommendations circulated from the Peter Ball Review. The House agreed to offer its support to the Archbishop in meetings with survivors.

FAOC PAPER 2 ON THE THEOLOGY OF SAFEGUARDING - (HB(17)12) The House praised the paper and agreed to its publication Action: Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs and Theology

OTHER The House requested staff to look into finding alternative venues for future meetings Action: Secretary General and staff

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS RECEIVED DEEMED APPROVAL: Lay Ministries Working Group Report (HB(17)13)

3 RESTRICTED HB(17)01 HOUSE OF BISHOPS Independent Reviewer’s Annual Report for 2016 (HB(17)14) Clergy Discipline Commission 2016 Annual Report (HB(17)18)

William Nye Secretary to the House of Bishops May 2017

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