The diocese’s governance structure took further shape at the end of January when the new - and innovative - governing board met for the first time.
Instead of a separate Diocesan Board of Finance, Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee, there is now a single main board which addresses both strategy and policy, and is accountable to Diocesan Synod. It’s designed to increase both efficiency and coherence, and ensure that those who make policy decisions also take responsibility for financing them.
Bishop Nick said, “The board is not here to manage but to provide strategic oversight. Its inauguration means the introduction of a new culture and new processes as we move towards January 2017, when – with all the other new structures in place - we’ll be up and running as one single diocese”.
The Board comprises the Bishops, representatives of the Archdeacons and Deans, elected members of Diocesan Synod and nominees with particular expertise in specific areas. Download the WYAD Board membership here.
Laity and clergy will be able to input into many areas of diocesan business through advisory groups and task & finish groups. The role of Synod members is strengthened as they are now members of the new Diocesan Board of Finance Company. They will also form scrutiny groups to explore diocesan activities - similar to Parliamentary Select Committees.
At its first meeting the Board looked at proposals for a new system of Share across the diocese which would be introduced in 2017. This will now be presented to the Diocesan Synod meeting on 12 March in Harrogate for Synod members to start to consider before a final decision is taken in June.