Special Parochial Church Meeting at 12 noon, just after our service of Holy Communion.

Special Parochial Church Meeting
of the Parish of North Newnton
to be held at the Parish Church on Sunday 8th February at 12 noon.

Agenda

1. Welcome & Prayer.
2. Apologies for absence.
3. Proposal to establish a Joint Council for the Benefice of the Vale of Pewsey.

Background to the Proposal
The Team Council does not have body corporate status nor is it recognized as a charity in the same way that PCCs are, so officers and other signatories to the bank accounts could be personally exposed to significant financial and legal liabilities; nor can it claim Gift Aid on donations from individuals.
Since 2020 the Church Representation Rules has enabled the formation of a Joint Council which is recognised as a body corporate and brings other benefits, including clearer reporting and accountability functions, and recognition as a charity under the auspices of the Diocese, enabling it to claim gift aid on personal donations to the benefice as a whole, and potentially give it access to preferential charitable rates offered by some suppliers of goods and services.
The Diocesan Registry, Team Council and PCCs were consulted during 2025 and the attached Scheme drawn up by the Diocesan Registrar. Team Council and each of the PCCs have agreed the remit for the proposed Joint Council in line with the way the Team Council operates at present. The only change is to reduce the number of representatives of the Parish of Huish & Oare from two to one, at their request. It would replace Team Council, not add another layer of governance.
The full text of the Scheme is appended to this agenda paper for your information. Please note Schedules A & B have been omitted as they simply constitute the formal record of the voting of each PCC and the decision of the Bishop’s Council.
An Annual or a Special Parochial Church Meeting of each parish in the benefice must approve the scheme by a two-thirds majority of the lay members present for the Scheme to progress. The Scheme is to be considered by Bishop’s Council in early March 2026, and if approved there, would be signed into effect by the Bishop of Salisbury.

The Chair of the Meeting to move: “That the Special Parochial Church Meeting approves the Scheme to establish a Joint Council for the Benefice of the Vale of Pewsey.”

4. Closing prayers.

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