The Parish Administration Ordinance 2008 details the governing rules for the administration of parishes.  It provides the detailed information on how the role of parish councillor is administered.

The So now you're a parish councillor..... brochure provides a brief overview of the roles and responsibilities of a parish councillor.

Parish Council

Each parish in the Diocese has a parish council. In summary, the parish council is the governing body for the financial and property affairs of the parish and each church of the parish.

The Composition of the Parish Council

For parishes administered on the basis of their church or churches (Schedule 2 – Rule 2.4) with only one church, the parish council is usually made up of – 

• the minister, 
• the wardens of the church, 
• 3, 6 or 9 persons elected by the annual general meeting of parishioners of the church, and 
• one person appointed by the minister for each 3 persons to be elected by the annual general meeting. 

For parishes with more than one church, the parish council usually also includes one warden from each branch church. 

For parishes which are administered as a whole (Schedule 2 – Rule 2.4), the parish council is usually made up of – 

• the minister, 
• the wardens of the parish, 
• EITHER 3, 6 or 9 persons elected by the annual general meeting of parishioners 
  
  OR 0, 1, 2 or 3 persons elected by the annual general meeting plus one representative for each congregation of the parish elected by the members of the relevant congregation at the meeting, and 
• one person appointed by the minister for each 3 persons elected by the annual general meeting. 

Qualifications for a Parish Councillor

You can be a parish councillor if you are –

• must be at least 18 years of age,
• must be a parishioner of the parish and a communicant member of this Church (baptised and regularly participate in the Lord's Supper at an Anglican church).

However, you cannot be a parish councillor if you are –

• are bankrupt, or 
• are mentally ill or otherwise incapable of acting, or 
• have been convicted of a disqualifying offence listed in Schedule 2 of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012, or 
• become auditor of the financial statements of the wardens. 

No later than 7 days after becoming a parish councillor you must make this declaration –

“I declare that I am a communicant member of the Anglican Church of Australia and have not been convicted of a disqualifying offence listed in Schedule 2 of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.”

(Parish Administration Ordinance 2008 Schedules 1 and 2 – Rules 2.6 and 2.7)

Ceasing of a Parish Councillor

You are a parish councillor until your successor is elected or appointed at the next annual general meeting of parishioners. However you cease being a parish councillor before that time if you – 

• die, or 
• resign, or 
• become bankrupt, or 
• become mentally ill or otherwise incapable of acting, or 
• are convicted of a disqualifying offence listed in Schedule 2 of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012, or 
• are elected or appointed to the office of auditor of the financial statements and accounts of the wardens, or 
• fail to make the declaration referred to above on or within seven days after becoming a parish councillor. 

(Parish Administration Ordinance 2008 Schedules 1 and 2 – Rule 2.8)

Responsibilities of the Parish Council

The main responsibilities of the parish council are – 

• fixing the stipend, allowances and benefits of the minister and (with the minister’s consent) the stipend/salary, allowances and benefits of any assistant minister, lay minister, student minister or other lay worker, 
• in parishes with more than one church, determining how expenses of the parish are to be apportioned among the churches of the parish, 
• conferring with the minister in the initiation, conduct and development of church work and making recommendations on ministry within the parish, 
• considering any measure or project that is likely to affect the general interests of the parish and to take proper action on these matters, 
• causing minutes to be kept of the parish council’s meetings, 
• directing the expenditure or investment policy of any of the parish’s surplus funds, 
• appointing a qualified person to fill any vacancy in the position of auditor of the statements and accounts of the wardens, 
• filling casual vacancies which occur among its elected members, 
• making donations for patriotic or charitable purposes or for the purposes of a Christian mission society whether local or foreign, Anglican or non-Anglican, and 
• doing all things as it can reasonably do to enable the wardens to comply with their responsibilities concerning minimum standards of maintenance for State Heritage listed buildings. 

The parish council also has the right and power to determine matters of policy, approve budgets and authorise payments in controlling the funds and property of the parish and each church of the parish. It is important to note that the wardens exercise their responsibilities in respect of funds and property subject to the parish council’s authority in these areas. It is also important to note that the parish council is not to exercise this authority in a manner which prevents the wardens from properly exercising their responsibilities. 

(Parish Administration Ordinance 2008 Schedule 1 – Rules 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 / Schedule 2 – Rules 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5)

Parish Council Meetings

A parish council meeting can take place with a minimum of one third of the council members present. If he is present, the minister is the chair of the meeting (unless he is present and delegates the role to another member). Minutes of all meetings must be taken and recorded by one of the members who has been appointed as Secretary.

The parish council may also establish committees to undertake certain functions of the council. These committees may include people who are not members of the parish council itself.

Further Information

• Parish councillors should familiarise themselves with the Parish Administration Ordinance 2008.