The Bishop’s Council is a statutory body established under the Synodical Government Measure 1969. It acts as the Standing Committee of the Synod and carries on the work of the Synod between sessions. It advises the Bishop on matters where he seeks guidance and has, since its inception in 1970, gradually assumed an important role in the formulation of diocesan policy. The Council receives regular reports from Diocesan Boards and Committees and also responds to national consultations.
The Council usually meets four times each year. Meetings are held at 7pm until approximately 9pm in the Diocesan Office.
Membership: (2025 – 2027)
Ex Officio: The Bishop; The Bishops Suffragan; The Dean; The Archdeacons; The Chairs of the Houses of Clergy and Laity of the Diocesan Synod; The Chairs of the Board of Finance, Board of Education and the Board for Mission and Ministry.
Elected by the House of Clergy: The Reverend Canon Ysmena Pentelow, The Reverend Josias de Souza and the Reverend Rachel Wakefield.
Elected by the House of Laity: Ms Sheila Bissell, Ms Elizabeth Cranfield, Ms Kavita Dowsett, Dr Mark Eaton, Ms Mary Jenkin, Dr Hannah Kinsey, Dr Jacob Kurien, Mr Roy Lambert, Mr David Roberts.
Bishop’s Nominations: Mr Nigel Challis, The Reverend Canon Lucy Davis, The Reverend Kate Pearson, Ms Kerry Smith.
Secretary: Mr David White
Bishops Council Constitution
Dates of Meetings in 2025:
Monday 20 January
Monday 31 March
Monday 21 July
Monday 20 October
There are four main sub-committees of the Bishop’s Council:
Agenda Committee
The Agenda Committee plans the business of Synod and prepares the agenda for its sessions, subject to approval by the Bishop’s Council.
Membership: (2025 – 2027)
Ex Officio: The Chairs and Deputy Chairs of the Houses of Clergy and Laity of the Diocesan Synod, Diocesan Secretary, Director of Communications, Director of Mission and Ministry
Appointed by Bishop’s Council: The Revd Ysmena Pentelow, Dr Hannah Kinsey
Appointed by BMM:
Appointed by DBE:
Member of General Synod appointed by and from the General Synod Members for the Diocese: Ms Sheila Bissell
In Attendance: Governance and HR Operations Manager, Governance Clerk
Agenda Committee Constitution
Dates of Meetings in 2025:
Tuesday 21 January
Tuesday 1 April
Tuesday 17 June
Tuesday 16 September
Tuesday 21 October
Mission and Pastoral Executive Committee
The functions of the Executive Committee are as follows:
- Considering/developing proposals for pastoral re-organisation and first-stage consultation
- Identifying options for pastoral re-organisation arising from deanery MAPs
- Vacancies and suspensions
- Local Ecumenical Partnerships
- Development of local [area] mission partnerships (LGL 2020)
- Identification & support of Fresh Expressions and new worshipping communities
- Sharing good practice (LGL 2020)
- Casework under the Church Representation Rules [e.g. Team Council Constitutions – currently dealt with directly by the Bishop’s Council]
- Some delegated functions from Bishop’s Council as DMPC to act between Bishop’s Council meetings
Membership: (2025 – 2027)
Chair: The Bishop of Bedford
Ex-Officio: The Bishop of Bedford, The Archdeacon of St Albans, The Archdeacon of Bedford, The Archdeacon of Hertford
Rural Dean: The Reverend C Harald
Lay Chairs: Mr J May, Canon R Osborn
Nominated by Property Committee: Mrs E Sivyer
DMPC Executive Committee Constitution
Dates of Meetings in 2025:
Thursday 20 February – 1030
Thursday 8 May – 1400
Thursday 10 July – 1130
Thursday 2 October – 1130
Thursday 4 December – 1130
Growing Younger and More Diverse Programme Board
The Purpose of the Board is to:
- Recognise the priority to Grow Younger and More Diverse.
- Monitor funding from the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB).
- Ensure appropriate managerial oversight for this strategy.
- Collaborate with the SMMIB to ensure alignment with the broader mission and strategic goals of the Church of England.
- Report to the SMIIB on the progress and impact of initiatives and programs related to its mission.
Membership: (2025 – 2027)
Chair: The Bishop of Hertford
Appointed: The Bishop of Bedford, The Diocesan Secretary, The Director of Education, the Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry
Representatives from the Board of Mission and Ministry: Reverent J de Souza, Mrs C Banham
Church of England Consultant: Ms C Leveaux
Representative from Diocesan Board of Finance: Mr C Bird
Co-opted by the Board: Mrs E Gold
In Attendance: Assistant Director of Mission and Ministry, the Diocesan Programme Manager, The Director of Finance, The Luton Project Lead, The Alban Way Project Lead, The Data Analyst and Project Support Officer
Growing Younger and More Diverse Constitution
Dates of Meetings in 2025:
Wednesday 22 January – 1400
Thursday 3 April – 1400
Monday 14 July – 1400
Wednesday 24 September – 1400
Diocesan Environment Group
The Diocesan Environment Group was created to provide advice and support on Environment matters, including the commitment to work towards Net Zero Carbon Emissions, and to raise the profile of Environment issues.
Membership: (2025 – 2027)
Chair: The Bishop of Hertford Vice Chair: David Lambert
Members: The Archdeacon of Bedford, The Reverend W Gibbs, The Reverend J Sawyer, Mr M Eddison, Mrs J Griffiths, Mrs R Johnston, Mr R Lewis
In Attendance: Diocesan Secretary, DAC Secretary, Director of Mission and Ministry, Governance Clerk, Net Zero Carbon Officer, Schools Buildings Officer, Parsonage Estate Manager
Diocesan Environmental Group Constitution
Dates of Meetings in 2025:
Tuesday 4 February
Tuesday 6 May
Tuesday 16 September
Tuesday 11 November