At the General Synod today, a bill (Number 3) to change the composition of the Board of St Anne’s  Cathedral , Belfast received its first and second reading.

The Bill, will if passed create a new smaller Board which will include ex-officio members and other members elected from the Chapter, five members elected from the General Vestry, a lay member of the Diocesan Council of Connor and a lay member of the Diocesan Council of Down and Dromore, all elected triennially.

Proposing the Bill, the Dean of St Anne’s the Very Revd Houston McKelvey (Connor) said there are major changes in charity legislation in Northern Ireland. He said that the current Board of the Cathedral approved the changes unanimously and emphasised that the new board will deal not just with the furniture, fabric and finances but also with mission.

The Bill was formally seconded by the Archdeacon of Down, the Venerable Philip Patterson.

During the second stage, an amendment was proposed by Mrs G Hibbert (Connor). She emphasised that she was entirely supportive of the substance of the Bill but sought to ensure that the new Board will be responsible for the appointment of Choir members as well as the Director of Music. The Dean of St Anne’s opposed the amendment said that the omission was on legal advice. He said that the matter would be addressed with a proposed Choir Development Fund administered by the Dean and other members of the Chapter.

The amendment was defeated.

The Synod will consider the Bill again on Saturday 8 May 2010.

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