Parochial Church Council
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) meets regularly to oversee the governance and running of St Mary's.
Our monthly newsletters can be found here.
Code of Conduct
A. Preamble
1) This Code of Conduct is adopted by the Parochial Church Council (the ‘PCC’) of St Mary the Virgin, Ringmer, as an expression of what it means for the PCC and its members to respond to the Gospel imperative to “Love God and love our Neighbour as ourselves”.
It is intended to guide members of the PCC in how they should discharge their responsibilities and is consistent with the expectations in that respect of the Diocese of Chichester and the Charity Commission.
The code applies not only to elected members of the PCC, but also to ex-officio and co-opted members.
2) The role of PCC member is a voluntary one.
However, as a member of the PCC, a parishioner agrees to be bound by church regulations, and to act in such roles as charitable trustees and employers. This Code should therefore be interpreted in the context of the wider legal framework that governs the actions of a PCC. This framework includes that produced by the Church of England (see https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/legal-services/church-representation-rules/introduction; and https://parishresources.org.uk/the-pcc-as-a-charity/governing-documents-of-the-pcc/), and the Charities Commission (see https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission).
It is important that all members of the PCC are aware of the moral and legal framework within which they act, and thus the appropriate standards of conduct to observe so that they act in the best interests of PCC itself, the church of St Mary the Virgin, Ringmer, and the wide Diocese and Church, but also in the best interests of third parties, such as charitable beneficiaries and employees, and the general public.
3) The Code was adopted by the PCC on 13th January 2025. It will be reviewed at two yearly intervals, or more frequently if required.
B. Conduct of Members
1) Members must conduct themselves at all times in ways which further the best interests of St Mary the Virgin, and inspire trust and confidence in its PCC. They should not undertake any action which could bring the PCC or the Church into disrepute.
2) They should perform their duties in accordance with the principles of public life enunciated by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (the Noland Principles - https://www.good-governance.org.uk/publications/insights/the-nolan-principles). These principle may be expressed in terms of the following values:
Selflessness
Membership of the PCC entails an ethos of service to the wider community, and members should not act out of a motivation of self-interest.
Integrity
Members of the PCC are required to respect the values, traditions, and ideals of St Mary the Virgin. This includes respecting the position of St Mary the Virgin as part of the Anglican Communion, and as a member of Inclusive Church, and as an Eco-Church. Members must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. All conflicts of interest must be declared, and members must withdraw from making decisions that may personally entail their material benefit.
Objectivity
Members of the PCC are required to act and to make decisions honestly, impartially, and fairly, and with duty respect to the position of St Mary the Virgin as a member of Inclusive Church. Members must act with due respect for the truth, and to seek out and take heed of all evidence that is relevant to a decision or action.
Accountability
Members of the PCC are collectively and individually accountable to the congregation and wider community for their decisions and actions, and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
Openness
Members of the PCC should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the congregation and wider community unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing. Members should be prepared to engage in open conversation, communicating the decisions of the PCC and their justification, listening to the responses of the congregation, and acting appropriately.
Honesty
Members of the PCC should act and make decisions with due respect to the truth as they understand it, and be prepared to change and modify decisions in the light of new evidence.
Leadership
While the PCC has a leadership role, formulating and taking forward the mission of St Mary the Virgin, members should also seek to engage with the interests, values, and ideals of all members of the congregation and parish. While members of the PCC must strive to embody the above values in their own behaviour, they should do so aware that they thereby actively promote those values to the congregation and wider community, and as such should be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
C. Safeguarding
Members must be familiar with the Safeguarding Policy agreed by of the PCC, and with Diocesan guidance (see https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/)
They must complete any Safeguarding Declaration required of them and be willing to undertake DBS checks and safeguarding training from time to time as required.
PCC members should be vigilant as to possible safeguarding concerns (see Guidance for DBFs, PCCs and Religious Communities: Identifying and Reporting Safeguarding Serious Incidents to the Charity Commission - https://www.parishresources.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Safeguarding-SIR-Guidance-FINAL-1-Jan-2019.pdf) and not hesitate to raise those concerns with the appointed Safeguarding Officer, or a member of the clergy.
D. Confidentiality
Members of the PCC are required to respect the principle of confidentiality.
To achieve this, they must:
respect a person’s right to privacy, sharing information about them only when necessary, and with their consent make sure that people are informed about how and why information is used and with whom it will be shared respect that a person’s right to privacy and confidentiality continues after they have died share necessary information with others only when the interests of personal and and public protection override the need for confidentiality.
E. Conduct at Meetings of the PCC
Members must act towards one another in meetings of the PCC as they would expect to be treated themselves, that is in a manner which is respectful, considerate and courteous, even in the face of disagreement, and in a manner which helps to build collective trust.
When attending meetings or other events on behalf of the PCC, members should conduct themselves in a manner which reflects positively on the PCC.
F. Authority to Speak on behalf of the PCC
Members must not purport to speak on behalf of the PCC unless specifically authorised to do so by a meeting of the PCC or by the Standing Committee or Chairman of the PCC.
Members must also ensure that in using social or other media they do not bring discredit on the PCC.
G. Duties of Members of the PCC (including Trusteeship)
1) The functions of the PCC are briefly set out in the Appendix to this Code. The primary duty of members of the PCC is to ensure that those functions are discharged effectively, in cooperation with the Incumbent and in compliance with the relevant requirements of the Church of England and of applicable secular legislation. In particular members have all the responsibilities of Charity Trustees in relation to the management of the resources (buildings and money) held by the PCC on behalf of the Church.
2) Members must therefore ensure that they are familiar with and at all times have regard to relevant provisions of ecclesiastical and secular legislation and to any policies or guidance (e.g. in relation to safeguarding) issued from time to time by, for example, the Diocese of Chichester or the Charity Commission which bear on their responsibilities.
3) Members must complete, on their election or appointment to office, the required Declaration that they comply with the ‘Fit and Proper Persons’ legislation and so are not disqualified from acting as a charity trustee. (See https://parishresources.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/CofE_TrusteeBooklet-v4.pdf)
H. Failure to Comply with this Code
1) Any alleged failure by a member to meet the terms of this Code must be reported in writing to the Secretary of the PCC in the first instance, detailing the nature of the alleged failure.
The Secretary shall report the receipt of such a complaint to the Chairman of the PCC.
2) After conferring with the Church Wardens (or other appropriate persons), the Chairman may direct the Secretary or one of the Churchwardens to enquire into the circumstances of the alleged failure and in so doing to seek an explanation from the person who is the subject of the complaint.
3) Upon receipt of the report of such an enquiry, if it appears that there is a prima facie case that the requirements of this Code have not been observed but that the breach of the Code is minor and the person who is the subject of the complaint accepts the finding of the inquiry, the Chairman of the PCC may, after conferring with the Wardens (or other appropriate persons), issue a verbal or written warning to the person who is the subject of the complaint in question.
4) If it appears that the breach of the Code is major and/or the person who is the subject of the complaint contests the findings of the inquiry, the PCC may establish a panel of three members of the Committee not previously involved in the case to hear the complaint and the response to it of the person who is the subject of the complaint.
5) The panel shall report the outcome to the PCC and to the person who is the subject of the complaint. If the panel upholds the complaint, the PCC may in its absolute discretion resolve to do any of the following:
i) Issue a written warning to the person against whom the complaint has been upheld.
ii) Publicly censure the person concerned by reporting the complaint and its outcome to the congregation.
iii) Request that the person concerned stand down from being a trustee / member of the PCC.
Appendix 1
The Functions of the PCC
Under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 the PCC has the following functions:
i) co-operation with the minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical;
ii) the consideration and discussion of matters concerning the Church of England or any other matters of religious or public interest, but not the declaration of the doctrine of the Church on any question;
iii) making known and putting into effect any provisions made by the diocesan synod or the deanery synod, but without prejudice to the powers of the council on any particular matter;
iv) giving advice to the diocesan synod and the deanery synod on any matter referred to the council;
v) raising such matters as the council consider appropriate with the diocesan synod or deanery synod.
The Synodical Government Measure 1969 states:
It shall be the duty of the incumbent and the Parochial Church Council to consult together on matters of general concern and importance in the parish.
It then goes on to set out a number of functions of the PCC, of which perhaps the most important, and certainly the widest, is:
co-operation with the incumbent in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
The incumbent and the PCC each have their own particular rights and responsibilities in the life of the church but the important theme here is partnership and co-operation.
More specifically, the PCC is responsible for the maintenance of the church buildings and churchyard, and, with the incumbent, for deciding how the church's money is to be spent. The PCC is formally the employer of any paid workers. The PCC has the right to be consulted about major changes to the forms of worship used in the parish and about the appointment of a new incumbent. It is also consulted about any pastoral scheme affecting the parish and, through its representatives on the Deanery Synod, plays its part in the wider life of the Deanery and the Diocese.
As a consequence of their responsibility for the financial wellbeing of the parish, PCC members are also Charity Trustees. As Trustees, their role is:
To ensure that the PCC is able to meet all its financial responsibilities, and that PCC funds and assets are used appropriately.
To report on what the PCC has achieved, and how it has used its money and resources.
To manage the PCC’s money, and balance risk and reserves.
The Charities Act 1993 and the Church Representation Rules (CRRs) charge the Trustees with the following specific duties in relation to finance:
i) The keeping of proper accounting records. This means records that show from day to day amounts received and expended, including the matters to which they relate, and a record of assets and liabilities. The records should be sufficient to show the financial position of the PCC at any time.
ii) The preparation of annual financial statements and an annual report that complies with the CRRs and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)
iii) Appointment of an independent examiner or auditor and making arrangements for the examination or audit to be carried out.
iv) Presenting the annual report, financial statements and independent examiner's or auditor's report to the APCM, and displaying those before and after the meeting. As the annual report and financial statements are the responsibility of the PCC, the CRRs require them to be approved by the PCC and signed by the Chairman and one other PCC member before presentation to the APCM.
Other areas of responsibility of the PCC include:
Notifying the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), where necessary, in respect of data held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and ensuring church organisations comply with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
As the PCC and the incumbent have a duty of care to ensure the protection of the vulnerable in their church community, the incumbent and the PCC must work together to promote a safer church for all in the church community, and ensure that there is a plan in place to raise awareness of, promote training and ensure that Safeguarding is taken seriously by all those in that community. This means that the PCC must ensure that the parish complies with the Practice Guidance on Safeguarding issued by the House of Bishops in October 2017 and any other relevant guidance or policies of the Diocese.