Parish Council Constitution

1. OBJECT
The Council is a body based on shared ministry that assists the Parish Priest in co-ordinating the overall policy of the parish in order to carry out the mission of Christ in the Church. It is a consultative body of leaders within the limits of the doctrine, liturgy and laws of the Church.

2. CHARACTERISTICS
The essential characteristics of the Council will be as follows: -
A parish council is faithful. Its members are to be true to the ideals of Christ not only for the benefit of their own spirituality but also for the growth and enhancement of Christ's teaching within the community.
A parish council is pastoral. It strives to identify those matters and issues, which bear on pastoral activities affecting the lives of parishioners. It formulates, on behalf of the parish, practical conclusions regarding such matters. The Council, in consultation with the parish priest will decide what specific actions or programmes the parish should adopt in meeting its mission of assisting parishioners through their spiritual and moral development.
A parish council must be representative. A council is a representative body rather than a body of representatives. A council member is not the representative for a particular section of the parish, but ministers to the entire parish community. Thus the Council represents all areas of parish life.
A parish council is sensitive. All members must participate in formulating policy for the parish. This will require them to be aware of the needs and aspirations of the parishioners and of the entire community.
A parish council is outreaching. It must strive to meet some of the larger issues within the Church and the world. It must seek to be a credible example of concern for justice, peace and reconciliation, bearing witness to Christ's teaching.
A parish council is perceptive. It must take account of the unique talents of every parishioner. These talents are to be shared and organised for the development of the parish and the wider community. It seeks to enable parishioners to discover and develop their talents.
A parish council is collaborative. As part of the diocese and deanery, the parish seeks to collaborate with other parishes to carry out the mission of the Church. The members of the parish council are responsible for leading the parish in sharing experiences with other parishes and the community at large.
A parish council listens. It has a mutual respect for suggestions.
A parish council is open. All parishioners are invited to attend its main meetings and the AGM.

3. MEMBERSHIP
(a) The Council shall consist of the clergy of the parish, ten permanent members, two Co-opted members and three elected members.
Permanent (A) members will be those holding the named roles and Permanent (B) members who have been appointed by the Parish Priest to ensure the smooth running of the parish.
A) members
Parish priest
Parish Secretary
Headteacher

(B) members
Parish Treasurer
Steward of the Gospel
Chair of Finance
Youth Development Representative
Property Management / Health & Safety
Liturgical
Youth
Communications
3 Elected members

Co-Opted members
Chair of Social Working / Fund Raising Group
Chair of Justice and Peace

(b) Every lay member shall be a Catholic normally over the age of sixteen years and shall be ordinarily residing within the parish or regularly attending services in the Churches.
(c) The Parish Priest will review and speak to each Permanent (B) member every three years to ensure they remain committed to the role and are willing to continue in their role - there will be no maximum period for which a Permanent (B) member can serve.
(d) If any parishioner wishes to stand for one of the Permanent (B) roles, they can do so by registering their interest ahead of the AGM with the Parish Priest who will decide if he wishes any change to take place.
(e) Elected members of the Council shall serve for a period of three years.
(f) Every elected member shall be eligible to be re-elected or re-appointed for two consecutive full terms of office.
(g) Upon a member dying, or resigning in writing to the Parish Priest, a successor shall in the case of;
1. a Permanent (B) member be appointed by the Parish Priest to fulfil the role
2. in the case of an elected member be appointed by the Council
3. In the case of a Co-opted member be the Chair elected by that Committee

4. OFFICERS
The Parish Priest shall be President of the Council. He or his representative shall attend all Council meetings.
After an election of members of the Council, the lay members shall appoint a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson annually from among themselves.
Any member without due cause who fails to attend three consecutive meetings will be deemed to have resigned.
The Council shall have a secretary who shall be a lay member or suitable person appointed by the Parish Priest.

5. MEETINGS
The Council shall meet at least three times a year.
It will be the duty of the Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council to convene a meeting of the Council and notice shall be given by written announcements posted in the parish newsletter.
The President and/or the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and any two members may convene an emergency meeting by giving the other members at least 7 days’ notice of such meeting.
The quorum for a meeting of the Council shall be six members.
The Chairperson, or in their absence the Vice-Chairperson, shall preside at meetings of the Council; but if neither shall be present at a meeting, the members present shall appoint one of their number to preside at such a meeting.
Any parishioner may attend meetings.
Business transacted at a meeting of the Council shall be decided by a simple majority of members present, prepared as an agenda by the chair.
(h) The Secretary shall keep minutes of the business transacted by the Council, which shall include a record of all appointments, resolutions and other formal acts of the Council. The signature of the person presiding at the next meeting shall authenticate the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council. The minutes shall be displayed in the porches at St. George's and St. Gregory's.
(i) Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the Council shall regulate its own proceedings.

6. COMMITTEES
Whenever the Council shall think fit, it may appoint from its members or other suitable persons, working committee to undertake particular business and may delegate to such a committee any of the functions of the Council but so that all acts of such a committee shall be reported to the Council and considered by it. All working committees are expected to submit a short written report of their progress prior to each main meeting.

7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(a) If due, nominations for election will be opened one month before the AGM, where elections will take place. In every year, at about November/December, an Annual General Meeting shall be held: -
To receive and consider a report from the Parish Pastoral Council together with any proposal for the amendment of this Constitution;
To receive and consider the parish accounts and a report providing yearly statistics for mass attendance, BMDs, FHC, RCIA, etc.
To deal with such parish matters as submitted to the Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council at least 7 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
It shall be the duty of the Council to convene the Annual General Meeting and to give at least 14 days’ notice thereof by written announcement posted in the newsletter, and by other such means as may be practicable.
All persons ordinarily residing within the parish or regularly attending services in the Parish shall be entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting and to take part in its business.
The Parish Priest, or a person as he shall name for the purpose, shall preside at the Annual General Meeting.

8. REPORT
The Council shall prepare and submit to each Annual General Meeting a short report, in writing of its activities since the previous such Meeting and a copy of such report shall be posted in the porch at St George's and St Gregory's.

9. AMENDMENT
This constitution may be amended by a proposal at the AGM put forward by anyone referred to in 7 (c) and must be supported by not less than 20 votes (eligible as under 7(c)). The proposal and any amendments will be voted upon at the AGM, and a two-thirds majority will be required. Any proposal needs to be tabled at least 7 days before the Annual General Meeting to the Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council for amendments to be adopted.

10. FUNCTIONS
The following are the functions of the Council.
To nurture the faith of the parish.
To provide leadership and direction for the parish enabling all parishioners to share responsibility for parish life.
To engage families and individuals in parish planning and overall policies for the parish pastoral mission and ministry.
To serve as a permanent, but flexible structure, for dialogue between clergy and laity.
To ensure through its committee structure a continuous and integrated survey of the spiritual and temporal needs of the parish, wider community and diocese. Further, to set priorities and programmes to meet these needs.
To co-ordinate parish activities with the Deanery and Diocesan Pastoral Councils.
(g) To identify, support, and encourage the gifts and talents of all parishioners.
(h) To be stewards of the community.
(i) To prepare and develop the parish in accordance with the mission of the Church.

Revised: May 2025