Explanatory Statement

Introduction

1. The purpose of this ordinance is to amend the definition of "Regional Electors" in the Standing Committee Ordinance 1897 and the Regions Ordinance 1995 to ensure that the Regional Bishop and Regional Archdeacon of a Region are included in the definition of "Regional Electors" for that Region.

Amendment of the Standing Committee Ordinance 1897

2. Under the Standing Committee Ordinance 1897 the Standing Committee includes -

(a) 2 Qualified Ministers from each Region elected by the Regional Electors of that Region; and

(b) 4 Qualified Laypersons from each Regional elected by the Regional Electors of that Region.

3. The term "Regional Electors" means, in relation to a Region, the following persons -

(a) each Qualified Minister licensed to a parochial unit in the Region;

(b) each Qualified Layperson who is a member of the Synod as a representative of a parochial unit in the Region; and

(c) each other member of the Synod who resides in the Region and is not a Regional Elector for another Region.

4. A Regional Bishop and Regional Archdeacon are not normally licensed to a parochial unit in the Region and so are only Regional Electors for their Region if they reside in the Region. However not all Regional Bishops and Archdeacons are resident in their Region. Any who do not reside in their Region are Regional Electors of the Region in which they reside.

5. It is proposed to amend the definition of "Regional Electors" by including a new paragraph which expressly provides that the Regional Bishop and Regional Archdeacon are Regional Electors for their Region. The amendment will mean that a Regional Bishop or a Regional Archdeacon who resides outside their Region will cease to be a Regional Elector for the Region in which they reside.

Amendment of the Regions Ordinance 1995

6. Under the Regions Ordinance 1995 a Regional Council consists of -

(a) the Regional Bishop;

(b) the Regional Archdeacon;

(c) 1 layperson from each area deanery in the Region elected by the Regional Electors of that Region;

(d) 1 Minister from each area deanery in the Region elected by the Regional Electors of that Region; and

(e) 2 Ministers and 4 laypersons each of whom may come from any area deanery in the Regional elected by the Regional Electors of that Region.

7. The term "Regional Electors" of a Region has a similar meaning to that in the Standing Committee Ordinance 1897. Again, a Regional Bishop or Regional Archdeacon who does not reside in his Region is not a Regional Elector for his Region.

8. It is proposed to amend the definition of "Regional Electors" to include a paragraph which expressly provides that the Regional Bishop and Regional Archdeacon are Regional Electors for their Region for the purposes of the Regions Ordinance 1995.

Recommendation

9. The Standing Committee recommends that the Synod pass the bill as an ordinance.

For and on behalf of the Standing Committee

MARK PAYNE
Legal Officer

20 August 1997