About the PCC

A Little History

The Parochial Church Council, or PCC, is a relatively recent introduction in the running of English parishes. Before 1919 the administration and finances of a parish were the legal responsibility of the Incumbent (normally the Rector or Vicar) and the Churchwardens. Apart from electing the Churchwardens the congregation had little say in the running of the church. Parochial Church Councils were set up by Act of Parliament in 1919 to replace the Vestry Meetings, which had had their civil functions removed in 1894 with the establishment of civil parishes. Since then further Acts of Parliament have defined the powers and responsibilities of the PCC.

Members

The PCC consists of the Clergy and Churchwardens, together with representatives of the laity elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). The Incumbent is the Chairman and the Secretary and the Treasurer are elected from the PCC members. The PCC includes, ex officio, members of the congregation elected to represent the parish at the Deanery Synod.

Responsibilities

In the words of the Synodical Government Measure 1969 the PCC has the responsibility of 'co-operating with the Incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical'. It operates as a decision-making and executive committee within the structure of church government.

Formally, the PCC is responsible for the financial affairs of the church and the care and maintenance of the church premises and contents (the 'fabric'). It also has a voice in the forms of service used by the church and may make representations to the Bishop on matters affecting the welfare of the parish. It has a role in the appointment of a new Incumbent but is not responsible for doctrinal aspects of the Church of England.

Annual Church Meetings

The Vestry Meeting for the Election of Churchwardens and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) take place before the end of April each year. The Vestry Meeting elects the Churchwardens for the following year.

This is followed by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) at which anyone on the Church Electoral Roll can take part and vote. Reports of the events of the last year are presented by the Clergy, Treasurer and other officers of the PCC. Click here for an extract from the latest Annual Report. The accounts are approved and an election for the remaining members of the PCC is held. The Sidesmen are appointed and representatives to the Deanery Synod elected. An independent auditor of the accounts is appointed.