Area Finance Committees and Groups are sub-committees and sub-groups of the Area Councils.
The Area Council constitutions empower the Area Councils to form sub-committees and sub-groups, all of which are accountable to the Area Council and Diocesan Bishop’s Council & Finance Committee. The Area Council constitutions state that
- the method of election or appointment of members is the decision of the Council;
- sub-committees may include members who are not members of the Council;
- every sub-committee should include a representative number of ordinary Council members, and normally require the Bishop, Archdeacon and Vice-Chair of the Council to be ex-officio members; however, sub-committees need not include a majority of Council members, unless the Council otherwise directs;
- the Council is responsible for appointing the Chair of each sub-committee;
- the Council may by specific resolution delegate to a sub-committee powers held by the Council (with the exception of certain matters). However, the ultimate responsibility for all decisions taken by a sub-committee or sub-group remains with the full Council.
The Terms of Reference and membership composition of one Area Finance Group is as follows:
Terms of Reference
- To monitor Common Fund targets and contributions for Deaneries and parishes
- To consider grant and loan applications from parishes, making recommendations to Area Council
- To identify parishes where stewardship programmes may be beneficial
- To create an annual cycle of agenda items so that important topics are discussed and are referred to Area Council at the relevant times in the year
- To discuss any other mattes referred to it by Area Council
- To make routine reports to each Area Council
Membership
- The Bishop
- The Archdeacon
- Area Representative on the Diocesan Finance Committee
- 4 parish treasurers or lay people with financial experience
- 4 clergy, 2 of whom shall be Area Deans, if possible
- Area Treasurer
- The Area Finance and Stewardship Adviser
The Group has the power to co-opt two additional members, if necessary, to ensure that each deanery has a representative.