In every parish there should be held an Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). In every parish, the APCM must be held in the period which begins with 1 January and ends 31 May.
The following persons are entitled to attend the annual meeting and take part in its proceedings.
- (a) every lay person whose name is on the roll of the parish,
- (b) every clerk in Holy Orders to whom paragraph (3) applies,
- (c) where the parish is in the area of a benefice for which there is a team ministry, every member of the team,
- (d) where the parish is in the area of a group ministry, every incumbent and priest in charge in the group ministry, and
- (e) where the parish is in the area of a group ministry which includes the area of a benefice for which there is a team ministry, every vicar in the team ministry.
(3) This paragraph applies to a clerk in Holy Orders if he or she –
- (a) is beneficed in or licensed to the parish or to another parish in the area of the benefice to which the parish belongs,
- (b) is resident in the parish and is not beneficed in or licensed to any other parish,
- (c) does not come within sub-paragraph (a) or (b) but is declared by the PCC with the agreement of the minister to be a habitual worshipper in the parish, or
- (d) is a co-opted member of the PCC under Rule M15(1)(k).
(4) A declaration under paragraph (3)(c) has effect until the earlier of –
- (a) the conclusion of the annual meeting in the year in which a new roll is prepared under Rule 7, and
- (b) the clerk in question ceasing to be a habitual worshipper in the parish.
The full details of the APCM are found in the Church Representation Rules, which can be found on the Church of England website.
Main Diocesan Office Staff Contacts
Diocesan Electoral Roll Officer
- Jackie Williamson – deals with Electoral Roll and sends out form links and reminders needed for holding APCMs and elections to PCCs.
Diocesan Election Registration Officer
- Sally Gilson - deals with anything for the Deanery and Diocesan Synods and Boards and Committees.
