Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007

Composition and duties of Dioceses Commission

2 Dioceses Commission

(1) There shall be established a body known as the Dioceses Commission which shall have the functions conferred on it by or under this Measure and the body of that name established under section 1 of the Dioceses Measure 1978 (1978 No. 1) shall cease to exist.

(2) The provisions of Schedule 1 to this Measure shall have effect with regard to the Commission, its members and its procedures.

(3) The Commission shall present annually to the General Synod a report of its activities during the preceding year.

3 Review of provincial and diocesan structure

(1) It shall be the duty of the Commission to keep under review the provincial and diocesan structure of the Church of England and, in particular—

(a) the size, boundaries and number of provinces,

(b) the size, boundaries and number of dioceses and their distribution between the provinces, and

(c) the number and distribution of episcopal offices and the arrangements for episcopal oversight.

(2) The Commission shall, when carrying out its duties under subsection (1) above—

(a) ensure that it is kept informed of views within the Church of England on the matters referred to in subsection (1) and of any changes in the structure of the Church which may take place, so far as these are relevant to its functions, and consult such persons and bodies as it thinks fit;

(b) without prejudice to its duties under sections 4, 6 and 7 below, consider whether changes are required, put forward proposals for discussion, where appropriate, and encourage detailed and reasoned responses from those persons and bodies consulted;

(c) disseminate, to the extent that the Commission thinks necessary and in whatever form the Commission thinks fit, guidance and information about good practice to persons and bodies involved in the administration of dioceses;

(d) give appropriate advice, when requested on particular issues, to such persons and bodies; and

(e) make and publish from time to time reports on its activities.

(3) If, when carrying out its functions under subsections (1) and (2) above, the Commission publishes proposals to alter the number of provinces, it shall also include, in those proposals, recommendations concerning the method of achieving the changes required by the proposals.

(4) Any report published under subsection (2)(e) above shall be laid before the General Synod either as part of the annual report required to be presented under section 2(3) above or otherwise.

(5) The Commission may ask any person or body to provide any information which it considers necessary to enable it to carry out its functions.

(6) Where the Commissioners, any diocesan bishop, any diocesan synod or any bishop’s council and standing committee are consulted under this section or section 5(2), 5(3), 6(2), 6(3), 6(4) or 6(6) below or are asked to give information under subsection (5) above, the person or body concerned shall be under a duty to respond, where practicable, to any requests for comments or information and to provide any information which that person or body is asked to provide.