Conduct of the Business of Synod Amendment Ordinance 2005
Explanatory Statement
Introduction
1. By resolution 10/04 the Synod requested that the Standing Committee bring to the next session of Synod an ordinance to amend the Conduct of the Business of Synod Ordinance 2000 (the “Principal Ordinance”) to provide for a simple mechanism for the President to vacate the chair in cases of personal emergency or conflict of interest.
2. The Principal Ordinance currently provides for a mechanism for a person to fulfil the role of President of the Synod if the Archbishop is absent from a meeting of the Synod (rule 1.2 of the Schedule). However there is no mechanism which allows the Archbishop to vacate the chair if he is present at a meeting of the Synod.
3. The amendment proposed by the bill seeks to give effect to the Synod’s request by providing that if the President of the Synod is, for any reason, unwilling or unable (other than by absence) to preside in respect of any business of the Synod, the President is the person next in ecclesiastical rank after that person who is licensed in the Diocese and is present at the meeting of the Synod.
Recommendation
4. The Standing Committee recommends that Synod pass the bill as an ordinance.
For and on behalf of the Standing Committee
ROBERT WICKS
Diocesan Secretary
17 August 2005