Bishop's Council Elections 2024

The Bishop's Council is the Standing Committee for the Diocesan Synod, advises the Bishop and helps to form policy for the diocese. It provides oversight of the diocesan strategy and aligns resources, both financial and people, to ensure the strategy is fulfilled. The Guildford Diocesan Board of Finance is both a charity and a company limited by guarantee The Bishop's Council members are the trustees of the charity and the directors of the company. In addition, they sit as the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee and the Parsonage Board, 

According to Synod Standing Orders, the Bishop's Council consists of:

Ex-officio members

• The Bishop of Guildford
• The Archdeacon of Surrey
• The Archdeacon of Dorking
• The Chair of the Board of Finance

Elected members

• The Chair of the House of Clergy of Diocesan Synod
• The Chair of the House of Laity of Diocesan Synod
• 4 ordained persons having the Bishop's licence
• 6 lay persons on the electoral roll of a parish in the diocese or declared by the Dean to be a habitual worshipper at the Cathedral

Elected members must not be disqualified from serving as a company director or charity trustee.

Co-options

• The Council may co-opt up to four additional members

Nominations

• The Bishop may nominate up to four additional members, two of which should be the Suffragan Bishop of Dorking and the Dean of Guildford Cathedral

There is now a requirement to elect a new Bishop's Council to take up a three year term of office, beginning on 1st January 2025 and the election commences on 31st October 2024. The Diocesan Synod, therefore, needs to elect 4 clergy and 6 lay members. 

Election Timetable

Notice of Election

Nomination Forms

• Clergy Candidate Form
• Clergy Proposer Form
• Clergy Seconder Form
• Laity Candidate Form
• Laity Proposer Form
• Laity Seconder Form