Structure, Governance and Management
The Parochial Church Council (PCC)
The PCC is registered with the Charity Commission as required by the Charities Act 2011. Its governing document is the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.
The primary objective of St Peter’s PCC is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church pastoral, evangelistic social and ecumenical.
The PCC oversees the general financial dimension of the work of St Peter’s by monitoring income and expenditure, budgeting, maintaining appropriate financial controls and co-ordinating the annual Christian Stewardship review of donations through planned giving.
The current Members of the PCC can be found here.
Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of various members, including:
- The parish priest and other clergy.
- Churchwardens.
- Elected lay members, the number of which depends on the size of the electoral roll.
- Representatives on the Deanery, Diocesan, and General Synods.
- Co-opted members
To be eligible for election as a lay representative on the PCC, a person must:
- Be a member of the laity and an actual communicant.
- Be aged 16 or over.
- Not be disqualified (e.g., due to certain criminal convictions or being on a barred list).
- Be on the church electoral roll, having been on it for at least six months if over 18.
- Be nominated and seconded by persons on the roll and be willing to serve
Lay representatives are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). Documentation for the latest APCM can be found here. Members of the congregation are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and an attempt is made to ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible.
If not already on the Electoral Roll, the Application Form can be found here.
The Standing and Finance Committee (S & FC)
The S & FC is made up of the Incumbent, the Churchwardens, the PCC Secretary and Treasurer. It meets between meetings of the PCC and sets the agenda for the next full PCC meeting. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.