Hereford Diocese

DIOCESAN SYNOD
The ex-officio members of Diocesan Synod are the Bishop, the Suffragan Bishop, the Dean, the Archdeacons, clergy members of General Synod, the Chairmen of the Boards of Finance and Education and of the DAC; and the lay members of General Synod. The other members are elected by deanery synods, with up to 10 members nominated by the Bishop and a few places available for co-option. Elections take place every 3 years. Synod considers matters relating to the Diocese and to the Church of England, including matters referred to it by the Bishop or by General Synod.

BISHOP'S COUNCIL AND STANDING COMMITTEE
Bishop's Council initiates proposals for action by the Synod and advises it on matters of policy, transacts the business of Synod when it is not in session and plans the business of Synod, including its agenda.

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE
The Policy and Resources Committee is a joint committee of Bishop's Council and Diocesan Board of Finance, who appoint an equal numbers of members together with the Bishops, Archdeacon and Local Ministry Officer. Its purpose is to bring together issues of policy and finance for consideration by its parent bodies and decisions by Diocesan Synod.

HEREFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE
The Board of Finance is the financial arm of the Diocese, presents the annual accounts and an annual budget to Synod for approval, advises Synod on the budgetary implications of proposals before it, manages the finances of the Diocese and advises parishes on financial matters. Members are elected by deanery synods. It acts through a number of committees, set out below.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
This acts as the Standing Committee of the Board, and consists of the officers of the Board, the Chairman of the Standing Committees and 3 elected members. Members of the Executive Committee are directors of the charitable company.

CHURCH SCHOOLS COMMITTEE
This committee exercises the functions of the DBF in administering the Educational Uniform Statutory Trusts, applying money from the sale or letting of closed church schools for the benefit of church schools in the Diocese.

BENEFICE BUILDINGS COMMITTEE
This committee is responsible for the maintenance, sale and purchase of clergy housing.

GLEBE COMMITTEE
Under the Endowments and Glebe Measure 1976, the Committee is responsible for the management and day-to-day running of the Board's agricultural and commercial portfolio.

PASTORAL / MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE
Each diocese is required to have a Pastoral Committee to review arrangements for pastoral supervision in the Diocese, so that the care of souls is provided for. It has certain statutory functions relating the suspension of presentation of incumbents to benefices and the making of Pastoral Schemes for the re-organisation of parishes and benefices. In this Diocese its remit has been widened to include all aspects of the provision of ministry, including the development of Local Ministry and the work of a number of support ministers. Apart from the ex-officio members and those nominated by various committee as required by the Pastoral Measure, members are elected by Bishop's Council to represent various categories of ministry. The Committee is answerable for its statutory functions to the Bishop. The Diocesan Committee works partly through a sub-committee for each Archdeaconry. Rural Deans and Lay Chairmen not otherwise on the Committee are invited to attend their respective Archdeaconry Committees. The Local Ministry Development Group and Training Advisory Group are also sub-committees of the Pastoral / Ministerial Committee.

REDUNDANT CHURCHES USES COMMITTEE
This Committee's only function is to try to find suitable alternative uses for redundant church buildings. It meets only when required.

BOARD OF PATRONAGE
Under the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 the Board is patron or joint patron of a number of benefices, a list of which can be obtained from the Secretary. Members are elected by Diocesan Synod under the single transferable vote system, and serve for six years. In addition, the Archdeacon, Rural Dean and Lay Co-Chairman of the deanery in which the benefice in question is situated are also members.

DIOCESAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE CARE OF CHURCHES
The Diocesan Advisory Committee operates under the Care of Churches Measure 1991. It appoints the panel of architects from which parishes select their architect to carry out the church's Quinquennial inspection. It advises the Chancellor of the Diocese and the Archdeacons on the grant of Faculty for work on churches, and generally gives advice on the use and care of churches and churchyards.