The Legislative Reform (Church Commissioners) Order 2021

Commissioners’ term of office

2.—(1) In Schedule 1 to the 1947 Measure (constitution of Commissioners), for paragraph 2 (term of office) substitute—

“2.— (1) Each elected Commissioner is to hold office for a period of five years; and each election is to be conducted in accordance with the Standing Orders of the General Synod.

(2) Each nominated Commissioner is to hold office for such period not exceeding five years as the person or persons making the nomination determine.

(3) A person who has held office as an elected Commissioner or as a nominated Commissioner, or as either, for a continuous period of ten years—

(a) ceases to hold office at the end of that period or, if the person continues to hold office under sub-paragraph (4) or paragraph 3, at the end of that period of continuation, and

(b) is not eligible for election or appointment as a Commissioner until after the end of five years beginning with the date on which the person last ceased to hold office (including, where applicable, under sub-paragraph (4) or paragraph 3).

(4) A nominated Commissioner who has held office for a continuous period of ten years may continue to hold office for the period determined under paragraph (b) if—

(a) the Board, having satisfied itself that there are exceptional circumstances which would justify a continuation, has requested the person or persons who last nominated that Commissioner to nominate that Commissioner to continue to hold office for a period not exceeding 12 months, and

(b) the person or persons concerned, having agreed to the request, nominate the Commissioner to hold office for such period not exceeding 12 months as the person or persons may determine.

(5) The nomination of a person under sub-paragraph (4)(b) is to be made in the same manner as the last nomination of the person under paragraph 1(b) was made.”

(2) In Schedule 4 to the 1947 Measure (general provisions), for paragraph 4 (term to be served by person filling casual vacancy)—

“4.— (1) A person elected to fill a casual vacancy among the elected Commissioners is to hold office for a period of five years.

(2) A person nominated to fill a casual vacancy among the nominated Commissioners is to hold office for such period not exceeding five years as the person or persons making the nomination determine.”

(3) This article applies only in the case of an election which takes place, or a nomination which is made, after the commencement of this Order.