Annual Meeting

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

This must be held by 30th April each year (CRR rule 6(1)).

    • Those who are entitled to attend are:
  • those lay persons whose names are on the Church Electoral Roll (CRR rule 6(2));
  • clerks in Holy orders who are:
    • beneficed in or licensed to the parish (CRR rule 6(3)(a)); or
    • resident in the parish and not beneficed in or licensed to any other parish (CRR rule 6(3)(b)); or
    • declared by the PCC with the cocurrence of the minister to be a habitual worshipper in the parish (CRR rule 6(2)(c)); or
    • a co-opted member of the PCC (CRR rule 6(2)(d)).

The rules are silent as to whether anyone other than those entitled may attend the meeting. Presumably the meeting may determine to allow such persons to be present but they would not be able to speak without the consent of the meeting or to vote.

Notice has to be given by affixing a notice on or near the church door for the period which includes the two Sundays prior to the meeting (CRR rule 7(1)). It must be held at the place, date and time determined by the previous meeting or by the PCC (or in the absence of such determination by the vicar) (CRR rule 7(2)).

The chairman of the meeting must be the vicar if she is present, otherwise the vice-chairman of the PCC. If neither of them is present the meeting should elect a chairman (CRR rule 8(1)). The secretary to the PCC (unless the meeting appoints someone else) acts as clerk to the annual meeting and records the minutes.

        • The meeting must receive from the PCC and be free to discuss:
      • a report on the Church Electoral Roll;
      • an annual report on the proceedings of the PCC and the activities of the parish generally, which should include a statement as to whether the PCC has complied with the duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016;
      • the financial statements of the PCC for the preceding calendar year, independently examined or audited (which must have been considered by the PCC and displayed inside or outside the church for at least 7 days before the meeting);
      • a report upon the fabric, goods and ornaments of the church, under section 50 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018 (previously section 5 of the of the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991); and
      • a report on the proceedings of the deanery synod (CRR rule 9(1)).
        • The meeting must also:
      • elect representatives to Deanery Synod (when required);
      • elect lay representatives to PCC;
      • appoint sidesmen;
      • appoint the independent examiner or auditor (CRR rule 9(5)).

Any person entitled to attend the annual meeting may ask any question about parochial church matters, or bring about a discussion of any matter of parochial or general church interest, by moving a general resolution or by moving to give any particular recommendation to the council in relation to its duties (CRR rule 9(7)).

Annual Meeting for the Appointment of Churchwardens

This is a separate meeting which is normally held immediately before the APCM.

The rules for giving notice are similar to those for the APCM.

Those entitled to attend are those who are on the Church Electoral Roll and also those on the local government electoral roll by reason of residence in the parish (CM s.5(1)).

The only business of the meeting is the appointment of churchwardens and matters related to that.

CRR is the Church Representation Rules, which are available online at https://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/structure/churchlawlegis/church-representation-rules/church-representation-rules-online.aspx

CM is the Churchwardens Measure 2001, which is available online at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukcm/2001/1/contents

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