Deanery Synods

Makes provision for the composition of, and elections to, Deanery Synods.

Makes miscellaneous provisions for the purposes of the Rules, including provisions relating to the handling of personal data, casual vacancies, communication by email or post and interpretation.

Contains the model Rules for parish governance. These provide for matters such as annual and other parochial church meetings, elections of members of parochial PCCs and deanery synods, the composition and business of PCCs, and the making of schemes for joint councils for ‘connected parishes’. The model Rules will apply automatically unless a parish makes a scheme under Rule 12 to amend or supplement, or to replace, the model Rules.

The ex-officio members of the House of Clergy of a deanery synod are every Clerk in Holy Orders (see CRR 15 (1) for more detail) that are:

• Beneficed or licensed in deanery (beneficed meaning incumbent or team vicar, licenced but not beneficed, would include associate clergy (either paid or unpaid).
• Licensed to an institution in deanery.
• Doesn’t live in deanery but directed to join this deanery synod.
• Lives in deanery and licensed to more than one deanery.
• Member of general or diocesan synod and lives in deanery.
• Lives in deanery and licensed to more than one deanery.
• Member by scheme for mission initiative, cathedral or royal peculiar.

The ex-officio members of the house of laity of a deanery synod are (see CRR 16 (1) for more detail):

• Deaconess / lay worker lives in deanery and licensed to more than one deanery.
• Deaconess / lay worker licensed in the deanery.
• Deaconess / lay worker doesn’t live in deanery but directed to join this deanery synod.
• Member of general or diocesan synod and name on parish roll in the deanery. Where a person’s name is on the roll of more than one parish, the person must choose one of the parishes concerned (CRR 16 (2)).
• Member by scheme for Mission Initiative, cathedral or royal peculiar.

Permission To Officiates (PTOs) in a deanery are eligible to stand for election on their deanery synod, with the number appointed subject to the below. PTOs are either resident in the deanery or have habitually attended public worship in the deanery during the preceding six months (CRR 15 (If)) and are usually retired clergy.

The number of PTOs that may be elected to synod are subject to a maximum of one per every ten clerks of this description, or for the fraction or reminder where this is less than ten (CRR 15 (2) e.g. 1 elected member for 8 PTOs, or 2 elected members for 11 PTOs etc. The election process must be in accordance with the deanery synod rules on voting (see section below).

The post is held from the 1 July following the date of the election for a term of three years. The Area Dean must inform the Bishop of the number who are eligible for this membership post. The diocese should also be informed who has been appointed as the PTO representative on deanery synod by emailing dero@oxford.anglican.org.

The elected lay members at deanery synod are the parish representatives and are elected at parish APCMs as their deanery synod representatives every three years (next year 2026) from the 1 July following the election (or where there is a vacancy).

Diocesan Synod determines the number of representatives that each parish may elect and then this is communicated to each PCC secretary by 31 December in the year preceding the triennium elections. This number does not change until the next calculation in three years’ time. This number is based on parish’s annual electoral roll figure reported at its last APCM, which the parish must report to the Diocesan Secretary (see electoral roll webpage). If you are unsure how many representatives you are permitted, see below for the relevant archdeaconry link.

Those elected must be over 16, an actual communicant (see CRR 83 (2)) and on the parish electoral roll for the last 6 months (unless 18 or below at the time of the election) (CRR M8(1)). They may be re-elected indefinitely, unless the APCM has limited the number of terms that elected representatives may serve (CRR M8(5)).

Where a person’s name is on the roll of more than one parish, they must choose one of the parishes concerned (CRR 16 (2)) as they may only be the deanery synod representative for one parish.

The post is elected by the deanery’s House of Laity. Before the first meeting of synod after the triennium election, or where a vacancy, the House of Laity holds a separate meeting to elect a joint Chair for Deanery Synod. The Area Dean appoints a member of the House of Laity to act as chair for the election. This chair has a vote, but not the casting vote, so in the event of equality of votes, the decision will be by lot (DS rule 6).

All members of the deanery synod house of laity are eligible to stand for the position Lay Chair for their deanery synod regardless of their membership type.

The deanery synod should determine the nature of the election. It is recommended that adequate notice of the election of at least one week should be given, and a decision as to whether submission of the nominations with written bio/statements from the candidacy are to be obtained with a submission date, so these may be duly circulated to other members for consideration.

If the bishop considers that a community in the deanery which is in the spiritual care of a chaplain, licensed by the bishop, should be represented in the house of laity, one lay person chosen by and from the members of the community, subject to CRR 16(3) & (4).

• Joint chairs and assistant lay chair (if appointed).
• Secretary and assistant secretary (if appointed).
• Treasurer.
• Persons elected by the members of each house in equal numbers from among their members.

The standing committee cannot co-opt, except any persons appointed assistant or associate Area Dean in the deanery.

The standing committee’s role (DS rule 12) is to:

• Initiate and advise on proposals;
• ensure members of synod are adequately informed on questions raised and other matters of importance to the deanery;
• prepare the agenda (in accordance with DS Rule 20);
• transact business of synod between meetings;
• make appointments and other things that synod delegate to it.

The Standing Committee (DS rule 65) shall appoint a representative to present any motion moved by a PCC, to the synod.

For the elected members of the standing committee, voting shall be by houses and conducted by 31st May in the triennium year. It should be ensured that there are an equal number of elected posts from the House of Laity to the House of Clergy (DS rule 10). However, note it is not required that there is equality of lay and clerical members overall for either the standing committee or deanery synod.

The Deanery Synod shall determine the procedure of election consistent within the deanery synod rules. The procedure may be as per an APCM (nominations from the floor at the start of the meeting or for nominations to be submitted prior to the meeting), or by post or electronic means, or as per diocesan synod, with essential modifications (e.g. with set notice period and submission by each candidate on their candidacy for circulation to the other members) (DS rule 11).

The actual election of members should be by simple majority, unless by 31 May in the triennium year, the synod has determined that the system of single transferable vote shall apply. The election should take place as soon as practical after triennial elections to the synod.

Ordinary meetings

At least 4 weeks’ notice must be given, with the joint chairs approving the date, time and place and consider the meeting dates for diocesan synod after consultation with the standing committee. A minimum of 2 meetings must be held every year (DS rule 15). Notice of these meeting must be signed the secretary, sent to every member by either hand, post or electronic means and specify business to be transacted and invite other business (DS rule 17).

If members have new business to add to the agenda, they need to advise the secretary three weeks in advance. For motions and amendments arising from agenda, at least one week notice is required (DS rule 27).

Agendas should be sent out to every member at least one week before the meeting by either hand, post or electronic means (DS rule 21).

Special meetings

In the case of sudden emergency or other special circumstances, the joint chairs may summon a special meeting. At least one week’s notice is required, where only business specified on agenda can be discussed (DS rule 18).

Other circumstances

If at least a quarter of the members request a meeting, the joint chairs must summon a meeting within 28 days after the request, otherwise these members may issue notification of a meeting (DS rule 16).

One third of each house for ordinary meetings (DS rule 32).

Majority of each house is required for special meetings (DS rule 18).

Unless otherwise provided in these rules, voting shall be by show of hands without a count (DS rule 57), except if:

• The chair orders a count by houses;
• a member so requests before or immediately after the result; or
• the chair chooses to order a count on any other vote.

Where synod has decided the houses will sit and vote separately, the house shall resolve its own procedure consistently within the DS rules (DS rule 19).

Decisions of the synod shall be taken by the majority of the members of each house present and voting (DS rule 56).

All members are equal in terms of participating and voting in deanery synod meetings. However, only ex-officio and elected members form the electorate for diocesan synod and general synod elections i.e. not co-opts (CRR 39 (2) & 54 (2a)).

Yes, if the joint chairs permit, in consultation with the standing committee, and the usual due notice is given to the members for ordinary (four weeks) or special meetings (one week) see above notice section.

The conduct of electronic meetings must be similarly equitable for members as a physical meeting, in terms of being able to hear and be heard and where practicable, see and be seen (DS rule 71).

For further information on how meetings should be conducted re agenda, notice, debate & motions etc see DS rules 20-71.

After the first meeting of each triennial election (DS rule 9A), the synod must appoint a Deanery Secretary and a Deanery Treasurer from among its own members. If no-one on synod can fill these roles, an appropriate individual may be co-opted to join synod in order to perform this role, if there is co-opt capacity (see co-opt members' section). However, being appointed to these officer roles does not make them synod members automatically. They shall serve until the conclusion of the meeting at which their successor is appointed, unless they resign or cease to be qualified beforehand.

The primary responsibilities of the DS secretary are to provide effective administrative support to the Deanery Synod and its leadership team in enabling the smooth running of Deanery Synod. They also can be an invaluable support to the standing committee and Chairs in being familiar with the rules (references provided at the top of this page) governing deanery synod, to be able to offer advice on procedural and membership matters when needed.

Find out what the role entails.

The DS treasurer is a key link between parish treasurers, the Archdeacon and the finance department of the Diocesan Board of Finance, have specific responsibilities in respect of specific financial matters (see core functions below) including keeping the deanery synod’s accounts. They also form an important part of the deanery’s leadership team in enabling the smooth running of Deanery Synod and more widely in the deanery as necessary, including offering advice on financial matters when needed.

Deanery Treasurers should be a passionate about good stewardship and act as an advocate for the Parish Share scheme. Preferably they will have had experience as a PCC Treasurer. They will also be organised, efficient in record-keeping and communication and have good IT skills.

The precise details of the work to be undertaken should be agreed by the Deanery Synod. This ensures that members fully appreciate the scope of the Treasurer’s responsibility and authority.

Core functions of a Deanery Treasurer