Day 1
Bill Seeks to Allow Select Vestry Co–Options
A Bill to authorise a Select Vestry to co–opt an additional registered vestry member (or members) onto the Select Vestry, where the Easter General Vestry has failed to elect a full complement of select vestry members was introduced at General Synod
A Bill to authorise a Select Vestry to co–opt an additional registered vestry member (or members) onto the Select Vestry, where the Easter General Vestry has failed to elect a full complement of select vestry members was introduced at General Synod in Armagh today (Friday May 10).
Proposed by Quentin Teggin and Robert Syme Bill No 6 seeks to amend Chapter III of the Constitution. Currently if a position on the Select Vestry is not filled at the Easter General Vestry it cannot subsequently be filled even if suitable candidates become available during the year.
Proposing the Bill Mr Teggin noted that attendance at Easter Vestries could vary widely from parish to parish. In larger parishes there were usually more than enough registered vestry members present to warrant an election for Select Vestry positions but in some smaller parishes Easter Vestries had insufficient nominations to fill all positions, he said.
“It seems somewhat anomalous that Select Vestries are entrusted with co–opting registered vestry members to fill casual vacancies arising from the resignation or death of a Select Vestry member, but cannot co–opt to a position unfilled at Easter Vestry,” he stated explaining that the proposal would afford a Select Vestry the same co–option powers for unfilled positions as they currently enjoyed in respect of casual vacancies.
Seconding the Bill Mr Syme stated that this was a practical step which would make it easier to fill positions on Select Vestries which had become for difficult to fill given the new responsibilities under Charities legislation.
The Revd Sam Johnstown (Down) urged extreme caution because of unintended consequences. He suggested that the minimum number for a select vestry was five but they could then coopt 12 members resulting in a massive shift of power overnight. He said they could be dangerous to the democracy of Easter General Vestries.
An amendment to the Bill, was proposed by Simon Elliott (Cork, Cloyne and Ross) who said he was in favour of the Bill. He said the amendment would reaffirm the importance of the election process at Easter General Vestry. He proposed that the words ‘provided that the total number coopted was less than the number elected’.
The Revd Ruth West (Kilmore) sought clarification regarding the Rectors Glebewarden and Church Warden who are appointed not elected. The Assessor guided that they would be excluded from the elected members’ tally.
The Bill will proceed to its third reading on Tuesday evening when Synod meets online.