Parishes
PCCs
This page explains the legal status of a Parochial Church Council and sets out the resources available to help parish officers perform their duties. If you cannot find the information you need, please contact:
 |
Miriam Longfoot - 01722 411922 |
= latest updates
FOR PCC TREASURERS Re: Financial Fraud, there is a note here.
Re: Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS)
There have been changes from 6 April 2017. Official guidance is available here.
Key changes include:
- Under the Communities Buildings Element of the scheme, parishes need no longer worry about 10 people being present in a service after 6 April 2017.
- Wall-safe donations will count for all churches as will donations received outside of the building.
- Contactless donations can be included.
- Qualification requirements have been simplified.
Please email Liz Ashmead if you have queries about this, or ring 01722 411955.
A Key Resource:
Parish Reference Manual (updated March 2018)
The Legal Bit...
-
The PCC is the governing body of the parish. The membership of a PCC may be viewed here.
-
PCCs are statutory bodies. They were first created by the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919 and in 1921 PCCs replaced vestry meetings for most purposes. Their composition is regulated by the Church Representation Rules, which are created and amended under the Synodical Government Measure 1969. Their powers and duties are to be found mainly in those rules, in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 and elsewhere, piecemeal, in other statutes, measures and canons.
-
Although PCCs have identifiable constitutional features, they do not individually have their own constitutions. The members of a PCC are treated as Charity Trustees for most of the purposes of charities legislation. Those PCCs with gross annual income over £100,000 must register with the Charity Commission and will have a charity number. The proceedings of all PCCs are required to be conducted in accordance with charity legislation and must be minuted.
Training and Support
- The Parish Reference Manual provides summary information on legal requirements and good practice for PCCs, churchwardens and incumbents.
-
The Diocesan Office provides training for PCC Secretaries and PCC Treasurers. Click here to see details of this year’s training programme.
-
The Area Offices provide training for Churchwardens as part of the Archdeacons’ Visitations.
-
Click here for financial resources from the Accounts department.
APCMs
-
Click here to visit the page.
Data Protection
-
You need to know about this. Click here for the latest documentation.
Document Actions