A Bill which aims to clarify the legal responsibilities of members of select vestries has passed its first and second stages at General Synod in Dun Laoghaire this afternoon (Thursday May 12).

Select vestries carry out a key role in the governance of the Church, including support for Christian ministry and mission, financial stewardship and property maintenance.  The Charities Registration Monitoring Working Group is considering issues arising from charities legislation and, following several queries regarding trustee responsibilities, has produced a Bill to clarify the legal obligations of select vestry members in complying with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 or the Charities Act 2009 in the Republic of Ireland. 

The Bill was proposed in the names of Mr Sydney Gamble and Mr Kenneth Gibson.

In proposing the Bill, Mr Gamble they had become aware of practical issues which had come to light during parish registration under new charities regulations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. He said that the Bill ensured Select Vestries’ compliance with the civil law.

In debate on the Bill, Blair Halliday (Dublin) asked if it was a purely Northern Irish document. Mr Gamble said it was applicable in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Bill No 2 passed its first and second stages and will return before Synod again on Saturday for its third reading.