The Bishop of Chester has made an instrument to allow parish meetings to take place online, in order to improve the safety and accessibility of annual parish meetings in this emergency period.
The instrument has been made under the bishop’s powers contained in the Churchwardens Measure 2001 and the Church Representation Rules.
APCM's must take place by 31 May 2021.
If you wish, or if restrictions in place require it, you may hold your meetings this year online or in a hybrid format that includes both people who are physically present as well as those participating online. Subject to restrictions in force at the time, this is your PCC’s choice. Meetings must be in accordance with the latest Government guidance.
If you use an online or hybrid format, please note the following:
• The rules on participation in annual parish meetings have not changed, therefore everybody must be able equally to hear the business of the meeting and be heard when they speak. In practice, this means that an interactive platform (e.g. Zoom) may be used, while e.g. Facebook Live may not.
• You will need to consider how votes are to be taken and recorded. Votes at annual meetings are normally taken by show of hands, which will present few problems on a video platform. Anybody present may require a recorded vote, normally on signed papers: you will need to consider to use text, chat or other function for this purpose if you need to. Note that a recorded vote at annual parish meetings is not a secret ballot.
• The PCC must provide for the annual parochial meeting copies of its annual report, and of the electoral roll. Where some people are participating online you will need to find ways of making these available online, by email, or in advance paper copy.
• Where meetings are held online you should consider where and how signed paperwork will be required. Nominations for churchwardens must be made in writing and in advance of the Annual Meeting (but this may be done by email). Declarations of Trustee eligibility for newly-elected PCC members should be filled in and signed in hard copy, but this may be done after the meetings if necessary.
• There is no provision for proxy voting at annual parish meetings. Postal voting by those not present at the meeting is not possible unless a previous annual meeting has passed a resolution to allow it. If you need further advice about any of this, please contact the archdeacon or the Diocesan Secretary.
The most recent version of the instrument was made on 16 February 2022.
Download the 16 February 2022 instrument here.
Contact details
Archdeacon of Chester: Mike Gilbertson
T: 07921 040154
E: michael.gilbertson@chester.anglican.org
Archdeacon of Macclesfield: Ian Bishop
T: 07715 102519
E: ian.bishop@chester.anglican.org
Diocesan Secretary: George Colville
T: 07590 962586
E: george.colville@chester.anglican.org