Diocese of Chichester

It was a full agenda for members of the Chichester Diocesan Synod when they gathered for the summer meeting at St Mary Horsham on Saturday 14th May.

The Bishop spelt out his vision for the Diocese over the next few years. A Podcast interview with Bishop Martin highlighting a series of key themes is available to listen to here

The key business of synod was conducted with the following outcomes.

WORKING TOWARDS CARBON NET ZERO

1This Synod supports the Church of England’s milestone objectives for achieving net carbon zero by 2030 as articulated in the National Church’s Environment Survey submitted in February 2022

APPROVED

2 This Synod further supports (a) the inclusion in the diocesan budget for 2023 of funding for a paid post that will help the diocesan property, education and DAC departments work towards this end

NOT APPROVED

3 This Synod further supports (b) the commitment of up to £150,000 from the Pastoral Fund to fund Heat Decarbonisation Plans for Voluntary Aided Schools

APPROVED

4 This Synod further supports (c) the commitment of up to £100,000 from the Pastoral Fund to procure Energy Performance Certificates for all parsonages and fund pilot projects to make parsonages more energy efficient.

APPROVED

ETHICAL INVESTMENT

Mrs Lesley Lynn (Chair) to move that “This Synod affirms that care for God’s creation is foundational to the Christian gospel and central to the church’s mission and, recognising (a) the importance of working towards a future which does not depend on fossil fuels; (b) the need to both develop alternative energy supplies and reduce the demand for energy before freedom from fossil fuels can be achieved; and (c) the central role that large energy companies have to play in developing alternative energy supplies, commits to divesting from any company which does not meet the climate hurdles set by the National Investment Bodies using Transition Pathway Initiative data, except that disinvestment in BP will be postponed until the NIBs’ next assessment, expected in January 2023, and implemented only if it does not then meet the climate hurdles, and further commits to reviewing its divestment strategy in May 2023.”

APPROVED

PRESENTATION OF THE 2021 ACCOUNTS (see separate booklet)

Mrs Lesley Lynn (Chair) to move “That the Annual Accounts and report of the DBF for 2021 be received”.

APPROVED

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

Mrs Lesley Lynn (Chair) to move “That Haysmacintyre LLP, Chartered Accountants, be re-appointed as auditors of the Company to hold office until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting”.

APPROVED

ADJUSTMENT OF PARISH MINISTRY COSTS (pages 3-9 of the supporting papers)

The Bishop of Horsham to move:

1.“That Parish Ministry Costs be adjusted by removing the share of parish support and national church costs for the C2 category of Associate Vicars and by abolishing the CB category and including all Associate Vicars within C2”

APPROVED

2.“That Parish Ministry Costs be adjusted by including a half share of the training element for house for duty posts instead of a full share”.

APPROVED

The date for the next synod is 19^th November 2022 – venue to be confirmed.