Minutes of a meeting of the Methodist Council held on 1-3 April 2017 at Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa
Present:The President, the Vice-President and 47 voting members as follows:
The Revd Caroline R Ainger, the Revd Dr Sheryl M Anderson, Mrs E Jill Baker, Ms Janet Baker, Mr Tim Baker, Dr B Jill Barber, Mrs Carole Burgess, the Revd Helen D Cameron, the Revd Linda J Catlow, the Revd Olufemi R W Cole-Njie, Ms Gill Dascombe, Mr Jack Delbridge, Ms Sue Draper, Mrs Aileen Fox, the Revd Catherine Gale, the Revd Ruth M Gee, Ms Ruth Hall, Professor Peter D Howdle, the Revd Dr Jennifer A Hurd, the Revd Philip J Jackson, Mrs Carolyn Lawrence, Mr Dean Lawson, the Revd Henry Lewis, Professor David R Matthews, Deacon Karen McBride, the Revd Loraine N Mellor, Deacon Jonathan Miller, Dr Daleep S Mukarji, Mrs Anita Nicholson, Mrs IdyOsibodu, Mr Brian Park, the Revd Mary M Patterson, the Revd Gareth P Phillips, the Revd Gareth J Powell, the Revd Stephen J Poxon, Mr Pete Prescott, Mrs Anne Pryke, the Revd Helen L Roberts, the Revd Peter D Sheasby, Mrs Heather Shipman, the Revd David Shirtliff, Mr Doug Swanney, the Revd Timothy A Swindell, the Revd Steven J Wild, Mrs Louise C Wilkins, the Revd Dr Andrew D Wood, the Revd Michaela A Youngson.
Apologies:Mr Mike Anderson, the Revd J A Jade Bath, the Revd Linda Day, the Revd Eleanor G Jackson, the Revd Sally A Ratcliffe, the Revd Mary V B Shannahan, Dr Val Turner.
Substitutes:The Revd Rory Dalgliesh,the Revd Lesley Dinham, the Revd Eleanor J Smith, Ms Helen Woodall.
Observers:Mr Tim Annan (Youth President), Mr Martin Ashford, Ms Jude Levermore, Mr Nick Moore (members of the senior leadership group of the Connexional Team), the Revd Dr Nicola V Price-Tebbutt (Secretary of the Faith and Order Committee), Mr Alan Yates (URC observer).
In attendance:Ms Jane Bates (Minutes), Mr Michael Ivatt (Media), Mr Andy Jackson (Media), Ms Louise Taylor (Administration)
17.2.1Minutes of the Council
The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25-26 January 2017 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
17.2.2Review of Training [MC/17/28]
The Revd Dr Ralph Waller, chair of the Training Review Group, presented MC/17/28. The Group had listened to the comments made at the last meeting of the Council, had conducted further consultation and, in MC/17/28, brought an amended report to the Council. The Connexional Secretary made a response, addressing some points of particular concern and perceived misunderstanding. The Secretary of the Faith and Order Committee observed that there were areas in this report which would require more indepth work from a theological and ecclesiological perspective.
In the light of comments made at the meeting, the Council declined to vote on the recommendations as presented in the report, and instead made the direction as set out in resolution 28/13 below.
28/1.The Council received the report.
28/13.The Council directed:
the Strategy and Resources Committee to present to the Conference a summary of the report noting the points of consensus and concern raised by the Council;
the Strategy and Resources Committee, in consultation with the Ministries Committee and the Faith and Order Committee, to undertake evaluations of the recommendations in order to make detailed provision for any implementation and to make regular reports to the Council.
17.2.3Matters Arising [MC/17/29]
The Secretary of the Conference presented MC/17/29.
In addition to the printed updates, the Secretary informed the Council that:
- Minute 17.1.13 – the Stationing Committee have begun a conversation about this at its last meeting, aware that this direction sits alongside other work.
- Minute 16.3.32 – conversations with All We Can are continuing. All We Can have asked that the representative from the Council to their Board should be a voting member of the Board. The Council agreed to this, noting that it will require a change to SO 245.
29/1.The Council received the report.
17.2.4Report from the Strategy and Resources Committee [MC/17/30]
The Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee (SRC) presented MC/17/30.
30/1.The Council received the report.
17.2.5Connexional Team update [MC/17/31]
The Connexional Secretary presented MC/17/31.
31/1.The Council received the report.
17.2.6Consolidated Accounts [MC/17/32]
The lead Connexional Treasurer presented the consolidated accounts.
32/1.In accordance with SO 212(1), the Council adopted the consolidated accounts for the year ended 31 August 2016, and directed that a unified statement of connexional finances be presented to the Conference as required by SO 360.
17.2.7Audit Committee [MC/17/33]
The Secretary of the Conference presented MC/17/33.
33/1.The Council received the report of the Audit Committee.
33/2.The Council authorised the Chair of the Council to sign the Letter of Representation addressed to the external auditors.
33/3.The Council appointed RSM UK Audit LLP as external auditors for the connexional year 2016/17 at a fee to be agreed with the Audit Committee.
17.2.8Notice of Motion 215: Responding to the realities and challenges of pornography[MC/17/34]
Dr Richard Vautrey, chair of the working group, presented MC/17/34.
34/1.The Council received the report.
34/2.The Council thanked 3Generate for initiating this discussion, and directed that this report be used as the basis for the production of a brief document that could be used to facilitate discussion within church groups.
The Council noted the willingness of the Faith and Order Committee to assist in the production of a resource about issues of pornography.
34/3.The Council directed the Connexional Team:
(a)To make available as web-based material the list of resources outlined in Appendix 5.
(b)To update the material on a regular basis with the intention of it resourcing informed and reflective conversations on the issues outlined in this report.
34/4.The Council directed the Faith and Order Committee to consider the production of further theological reflections on issues of pornography.
34/5.The Council agreed to call on all the bodies and agencies with responsibility for relationship and sex education in schools to listen to and act on the voices of children and young people, so that children and young people are better supported in their learning about relationships and sex, including pornography, in ways that are safe and credible, and supports the Secretary of State for Education in England’s proposals to put relationships and sex education on a statutory footing, so every child would have access to age appropriate provision in a consistent way.
In relation to resolution 34/3 (b), the Council was assured that the material would need updating no more frequently than annually, and that the updating would consist of checking that links were still in operation. This agreement to update would only apply to this piece of work and would not affect other lists of resources which form parts of earlier Council or Conference reports.
In relation to resolution 34/5, the Council agreed that this should be communicated directly to Methodist schools through MIST and MAST.
17.2.9Methodist International Centre – Trust Arrangements [MC/17/45]
The Conference Officer for Legal and Constitutional Practice presented MC/17/45.
45/1.The Council received the report.
45/2.The Council delegated responsibility for deciding which of the options set out in paragraph 12 of the report should be recommended to the Conference to three members of the Council, to be appointed by the Chair of the Council and Secretary of the Council, along with the Conference Officer for Legal and Constitutional Practice.
17.2.10Listed Buildings Advisory Committee [MC/17/44]
The Head of Support Services presented MC/17/44.
44/1.The Council received the report.
44/2.The Council adopted the recommendations as listed in Section F of the report.
44/3.The Council delegated adoption of initial Terms of Reference for the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee to the Strategy and Resources Committee.
17.2.11Ministry and Oversight [MC/17/35]
Mr David Walton, co-Chair of the Joint Covenant Advocacy and Monitoring Group, and the Revd Dr Nicola Price-Tebbutt, Secretary of the Faith and Order Committee, presented the confidential paper, MC/17/35.
The comments of the Council were received and will be fed into the ongoing work.
35/1.The Council received the report from the Faith and Order Committee.
17.2.12Nomination of Assistant Secretary of the Conference[MC/17/78]
The Chair of the Council presented MC/17/78.
78/1.Under Standing Order 116(A) the Council agreed to recommend to the Conference that the Revd Dr Jonathan R Hustler be appointed as the Assistant Secretary of the Conference for a period of six years, from 1 September 2017.
17.2.13District Commissions[MC/17/36]
The Secretary of the Conference explained to the Council that discussions had moved on since MC/17/36 had been prepared. He asked the Council to consider instead whether the peer review process which the Church of England has developed could be adapted to suit the Methodist context. The Council discussed this in groups, and agreed that MC/17/36 should be withdrawn and that work should proceed along the lines of a peer review process.
17.2.14Safeguarding Report for the 2017 Conference [MC/17/37]
The Connexional Secretary presented MC/17/37, noting that the report would be presented to the Conference from the Safeguarding Committee.
37/1.The Council received the report and commended it to the Conference.
17.2.15Calculating safeguarding time required for the Districts [MC/17/38]
Tim Carter, connexional Safeguarding Adviser, presented MC/17/38.
38/1.The Council received the report.
38/2.The Council agreed the method for calculating District Safeguarding Officer hours for each district.
38/3.The Council agreed the model job description and person specification for the role of District Safeguarding Officer.
38/4.The Council commended these recommendations to the Conference.
17.2.16Proposed Supervision and Professional Development Model for District Safeguarding Officers [MC/17/39]
Tim Carter and Doug Swanney presented MC/17/39.
39/1.The Council received the report.
39/2.The Council endorsed the understanding and approach to supervision for District Safeguarding Officers as set out in paragraphs 3.0-8.12of the report.
39/3.The Council directed the Strategy and Resources Committee, in consultation with the Safeguarding Committee and the Chairs’ Meeting, to:
(a)identify a pattern of supervision for District Safeguarding Officers;
(b)propose an appropriate budget;
(c)report to the Council no later than January 2018.
Resolution 39/4 was withdrawn.
17.2.17Safeguarding Risk Assessment Procedures [MC/17/40]
Tim Carter presented MC/17/40.
It was noted that, in the case of a deacon, following a Safeguarding Panel, information should be shared with the Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order (which would make it consistent with Part 11). With that amendment, the procedures were approved.
40/1.The Council received the report.
40/2.The Council approved the new procedures.
17.2.18Covenants of Care – final report from working group [MC/17/41]
Tim Carter presented MC/17/41, noting that the report will need to be amended slightly in the light of the risk assessment procedures previously approved.
41/1.The Council received the report.
41/2.The Council commended the report to the Conference.
17.2.19Accessibility to the Conference [MC/17/42]
John Bell, chair of the working party, presented MC/17/42.
42/1.The Council received the report.
42/2.The Council referred the report to the Conference Business Committee for detailed consideration of the recommendations and directs the Conference Business Committee to report back to the Council with regular updates.
17.2.20Ministries Committee [MC/17/43]
The Chair and Deputy Chair of the Ministries Committee presented MC/17/43.
43/1.The Council received the report.
43/2.The Council affirmed the 15 proposals regarding transferring ministers as set out in paragraph 23 and commended them to the Conference.
17.2.21Churches Together in Britain and Ireland’s (CTBI) bid to host the World Council of Churches General Assembly 2021 [MC/17/55]
The Connexional Secretary presented MC/17/55.
55/1. The Council received the report.
Resolution 55/2was declined.
55/3.The Council declined to support CTBI’s bid to host the World Council of Churches General Assembly in 2021.
17.2.22Methodist Independent Schools Trust (MIST) Legal Structure [MC/17/52]
The Conference Officer for Legal and Constitutional Practice presented MC/17/52.
52/1.The Council received the report.
52/2.The Council recommended to the Conference that the proposed amendments to the Methodist Independent Education Trust 1903 as detailed in paragraph 4 are approved.
52/3.The Council recommended that the Conference gives consent to the proposed amendments to the Articles of Association of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust.
17.2.23Nominations and Appointments [MC/17/56]
56/1.The Methodist Council, acting under Standing Order 320(1)(ii), nominated to the Conference the following persons as members of the Ministerial Candidates’ Selection Committee:
The Revds Joanne Archer-Siddall, Rachel A Burgess, Richard J Byass, Jane H Carter, Molly Chitokwindo, Alan Combes, Deborah A Cornish, David R Emison, Barbara T Evans-Routley, Matthew R Finch, Vivienne M Gasteen, Susan J Griffiths, Gareth J Higgs, Dr David Hinchliffe, Christine M Howe, Ian J K Hu, Dr Jonathan R Hustler [SO 320(1)(i)], Catherine Hutton, Philip J Jackson, Kavula J John, Graham R Jones, Prof Teddy Kalongo, M Susan E Lawler, Dr Jane Leach, Julie A Lunn, Jonathan E Mead, Andrew C Moffoot, Dr Ian D Morris, Faith Nyota, Nicholas A Oborski, Paul Nzachahayo, Stephen E Robinson, Dr Calvin T Samuel, Kathryn Stephens, Dr Joseph B Suray, Nutan Sandhya J Suray, Rose A S Westwood, Susan J Wigham, D Paul Wood [SO 320(1)(i)], Ian J Worsfold
Deacons Guy Austin-Bride, P Jane Gibson, Richard D Goldstraw, Eleanor Griffin, Julie A Hudson, Belinda S Letby, Ian Murray, Sylvia R Phillips, Myrtle A Poxon, Kerry R Scarlett, Ann Shephard, Angela Shereni, Marilyn O S Slowe, Lynne R Sylvester-Tonge, Janet H Thomas
Miss Victoria Aggasild, Mrs AkuaAgyepong, Ms E Jane Allin, Mr Richard Armiger, Mr Rob Cooper, Ms Sarah Dixon. Mrs Janet Dobinson, Mrs Sylvia Gnanapragasam, Mrs Glena Griffin, Mrs Elaine M Grout, Ms Sylvia Hart, Mrs Veronica Hickox, Miss Sharon Lam, Mr Rene Lamisere, Mr Phil Langdale, Mrs Dorothy Lumley, Mrs Hayley Moss, Mrs Grace Penn-Timity, Mr Alfred Philpott, Mrs Maxine Scott, Mr Michael Sharpe, Dr Rachel Starr, Mrs Karen Stefanyszyn, Mrs Anne Vautrey, Mrs Denise Tomlinson, Dr Margaret Williams, Dr Bart Woodhouse
The Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order has the right to attend but not to vote.
56/2.The Methodist Council, acting under Standing Order 321(5)(b), nominated to the Conference the following persons as Oversight Tutors:
Where more than one oversight tutor is appointed for the same institution one shall be identified as having oversight responsibility. In the following list, that person is identified by an asterisk.
Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham: *The Revd Dr Jane Craske, Deacon Eunice Attwood, The Revd Dr Jonathan Dean, The Revd Gary Hall, The Revd Dr Paul Nzacahayo, The Revd Dr Judith Rossall, Deacon Kerry Scarlett
56/3.The Methodist Council, acting under Standing Order 212(7), nominated to the Conference representatives for appointment as follows:
(a)Conference of European Churches (CEC): 15th Assembly (30 May – 6 June 2018: Novi Sad, Serbia): 2 representatives
The Revd A Peter Hancock; Ms Emma Johnson
(b)Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI): Annual General Meeting
Mr Michael P King
(c)Churches Together in Britain and Ireland: Senior Representatives’ Forum
Mr Michael P King; The Revd Neil A Stubbens
(d)Churches Together in England (CTE): Enabling Group
The Revds Dr Jonathan H Pye, Neil A Stubbens
(e)Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS): Members’ Meeting:
The Revd Dr David P Easton; Mr Alan Henderson
Alternate:The Revd T Alan Anderson
(f)Cytûn (Churches Together in Wales): Enabling Group
The Revd Dr Jennifer A Hurd
Proxies: The Revds Dr Ian D Morris, Philip A Poynor
56/4.The Methodist Council, acting under Standing Order 213(2), nominated to the Conference the following persons as members of the Strategy and Resources Committee of the Council:
Professor Peter D Howdle (Chair), Ms Janet Arthur, the Revd David M Goodall, Mr Robert J Harrison, the Revd Susan Keegan Von Allmen, Dr Daleep S Mukarji, the Revd Michael D Parker, Mrs Heather Shipman, The Revd Timothy A Swindell, Mr Edward Awty (Connexional Treasurers), Mrs Helen Woodall, The Revd Dr Andrew D Wood, The Revd Loraine N Mellor
Non-voting members: the Revd Canon Gareth J Powell, the Revd Dr Jonathan R Hustler, Mr Doug Swanney, Mr Martin Ashford, Ms Jude Levermore, Mr Nick Moore
56/5.The Methodist Council, acting under Standing Order 322, nominated to the Conference the following persons as members of the Stationing Committee:
Mrs Pamela Lavender (Chair),the Revd Canon Gareth J Powell, the Revd Jonathan R Hustler, the Revd Nigel Cowgill, Ms Jenny Jackson, the Revd Dr David Hinchliffe, Mrs Biddy Bishop, the Revd Ian Howarth, the Revd Gillian M Newton, Mrs Beverley Duffy, the Revd Bruce Thompson, Ms M Frances Hopwood, the Revd Dr Sheryl M Anderson, Mr Iain S A Henderson, the Revd Stephen J Lindridge, Mr Bill Offler, The Revd Dr Jennifer A Hurd, Deacon Karen McBride,the Revd Peter E Barber,the Revd Stephen J Poxon, the Revd Graham Thompson
56/6.The Methodist Council, acting under Standing Order 213A, nominated to the Conference the following persons as members of the Audit Committee:
Mr Adrian Burton, Mr David Stubbs, Mr Andrew Whitley
56/7.The Methodist Council, acting under Standing Order 116B, appointed the Revd Ian J Worsfold to be the Precentor for the Presbyteral and Representative Sessions of the 2016 Conference.
56/8.The Methodist Council, acting under Standing Order 116B, appointed the Revd Alan Ashton to be the Letter-writer for the Presbyteral and Representative Sessions of the 2016 Conference.
56/9.The Methodist Council, acting under Deed of Union Clause 14(4)(d) and Standing Order 107(3), appointed the following two associate members of the Conference as (full, voting) members of the 2017 Conference:
Mr Bernard Clement Botwe, Miss Margarita AboyLozada
56/10.The Methodist Council, acting under Standing Order 138(1), appointed the Memorials Committee for the 2017 Conference as follows:
Mr Mike King (Chair), the Revd Loraine N Mellor, Mrs E Jill Baker, the Revd Canon Gareth J Powell, Mr Doug Swanney, Mr Martin Harker (Convener), Mr Chris Finbow, Mr Peter Hancock, Mrs Sue Marshall-Jennings, Mr Keith Norman, the Revd Melinda Bell, Mr Michael Noble, Mr Craig Price, the Revd Gavin Hume, Mr John Heard, Mr Keith Walton, Mr Mike Anderson, the Revd Philip Jackson, Mr Ron Jordan, the Revd Ros Hollingsworth, Mrs Mary Williams.
In attendance: the Revd Helen D Cameron, the Revd Colin A Smith, the Revd Jennifer M Dyer, the Revd Dr Nicola V Price-Tebbutt