Summary of a meeting of Lichfield Diocesan Synod
28 June 2023 at St John’s Church, Barlaston
- Opening Worship was led by the Revd Stuart Jones.
- The minutes of the meeting held on 18th March 2023 were approved and signed accordingly.
- Bishop Michael moved a motion regarding the See of Wolverhampton as follows:
This synod supports the Bishop of Lichfield in making a submission to the Dioceses Commission for permission to nominate a new Bishop of Wolverhampton.
This motion was voted upon and clearly carried.
- The Chair of the Board of Finance made his farewell comments, this being his final meeting before stepping down, reflecting on events and thanking staff and committee members with whom he had worked. He reminded members of the serious financial situation we continued to face.
- The Director of Finance presented the Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022. Questions were invited and he then moved that:
The Summary Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Diocesan Board of Finance for the year ending 31st December 2022 be received.
This was unanimously carried.
- The Director of Finance gave a presentation on Total Return Approach, which Diocesan Boards of Finance had been allowed to adopt since 2013 and was a way of allowing the increase in value of investments to be used as income. Following questions, the Chair moved and commended the following motion:
This synod approves the proposal set out for the Diocese to proceed with the adoption of a Total Return Approach
This was carried with 4 abstentions.
- The Chair moved that:
on the recommendation of the Bishop's Council, Hays Mcintyre be re-appointed as Auditors until the next AGM, and that the Chairman and Secretary be authorised to determine their remuneration within the budget
This was unanimously carried.
- Bishop Michael then paid tribute to and thanked John as his work as Chair of the Board of Finance for eleven years, and this was followed by warm applause from members.
- The Diocesan Secretary introduced an item on Shaping for Mission, with presentations from the Revd Ray Gaston, and the Archdeacons of Salop, Stoke and Lichfield by way of illustrating that the initiative was very much ongoing and must continue to be. Many recommendations that had come from deaneries were being actioned but could be slowed down by the legal processes required. It was notable that since the beginning of the project, there had been a reduction of twenty full time posts, and by the end of 2024, the total would be twenty-four. The process was beginning to bear fruit, as illustrated by the presentations given. Questions were then invited from members.
- The Question Time paper was discussed, which contained nineteen written questions and answers. Several supplementary questions were answered.
- Bishop Michael closed the meeting in prayer.
All papers are available from the Synods and Committees webpage or by contacting Jo Durber by email or phoning 01543 306067.