Opening Address by the Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans Cathedral

Please follow the download link to view the DBF Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements for 2025.

Approved by:                 Audit Committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:        Glyn Barker, Finance Director

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            18 May 2026

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 18 May 2029

Policy Statement

Bribery is a criminal offence.  The Board and those acting on its behalf does not, and will not, pay bribes or offer offer improper inducements to anyone for any purpose, nor does it or will it, accept bribes or improper inducements, or use a third party as a conduit to channel bribes.

The Board is committed to the prevention, deterrence and detection of bribery. It has a zero- tolerance towards bribery.

Objective of this policy

 This policy provides a framework to enable those acting on behalf of the Board to understand and implement arrangements enabling compliance.

The Board requires that all personnel, including those permanently employed, office holders, trustees, temporary agency staff and contractors:

• act honestly and with integrity at all times and to safeguard the organisation’s resources for which they are responsible
• comply with the spirit, as well as the letter, of the law

Scope of this policy

 This policy applies to all of the Board’s activities and covers all personnel, including those permanently employed, temporary agency staff, contractors, trustees, agents, volunteers and consultants.

Commitment

The Board commits to:

• Setting out a clear anti-bribery policy and keeping it up to date
• Making all employees aware of their responsibilities to adhere strictly to this policy at all times
• Training all employees so that they can recognise and avoid the use of bribery by themselves and others
• Encouraging its employees to be vigilant and to report any suspicions of bribery, providing them with suitable channels of communication and ensuring sensitive information is treated appropriately
• Rigorously investigating instances of alleged bribery and assisting police and other appropriate authorities in any resultant prosecution
• Taking firm and vigorous action against any individual(s) involved in bribery
• Provide information to all employees to report breaches and suspected breaches of this policy
• Include appropriate clauses in contacts to prevent bribery.

Bribery

Is an inducement or reward offered, promised or provided to gain personal, commercial, regulatory or contractual advantage.

The Bribery Act

There are four key offences under the Act:

• bribery of another person (section 1)
• accepting a bribe (section 2)
• bribing a foreign official (section 6)
• failing to prevent bribery (section 7)

The Bribery Act 2010 (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2010/ukpga_20100023_en_1) makes it an offence to offer, promise or give a bribe (Section 1).  It also makes it an offence to request, agree to receive, or accept a bribe (Section 2).

Bribery is not tolerated

It is unacceptable to:

• give, promise to give, or offer a payment, gift or hospitality with the expectation or hope that a business advantage will be received, or to reward a business advantage already given
• give, promise to give, or offer a payment, gift or hospitality to a government official, agent or representative to “facilitate” or expedite a routine procedure
• accept payment from a third party that you know, or suspect is offered with the expectation that it will obtain a business advantage for them
• accept a gift or hospitality from a third party if you know or suspect that it is offered or provided with an expectation that a business advantage will be provided by us in return
• retaliate against or threaten a person who has refused to commit a bribery offence or who has raised concerns under this policy
• engage in activity in breach of this policy.

Facilitation payments

Facilitation payments are not tolerated and are illegal. Facilitation payments are unofficial payments made to public officials in order to secure or expedite actions.

Gifts and hospitality

The Act does not prohibit genuine hospitality.  Reasonable, proportionate gifts and hospitality made in good faith and that are not lavish are acceptable but should be declared by notifying the Diocesan Secretary who will keep a register of gifts and hospitality received.

Staff responsibilities

The prevention, detection and reporting of bribery and other forms of corruption are the responsibility of all those working for the Board or under its control. All staff are required to avoid activity that breaches this policy.

You must:

• ensure that you read, understand and comply with this policy
• raise concerns as soon as possible if you believe or suspect that a conflict with this policy has occurred or may occur in the future.

As well as the possibility of civil and criminal prosecution, staff that breach this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for gross misconduct.

Raising a concern

The Board is committed to ensuring that everyone has a safe, reliable, and confidential way of reporting any suspicious activity.

If you have a concern regarding a suspected instance of bribery or corruption, please talk to the Diocesan Secretary or the Chairman of the DBF as soon as you have concerns.

The Board is committed to ensuring nobody suffers detrimental treatment through refusing to

take part in bribery or corruption, or because of reporting a concern in good faith.

The investment policy and specific powers of investment of the Board are set out in various measures and acts. The Board holds investments as authorised by the Trustee Act 2000. In 2022. The Board adopted a total return policy with the intention of securing a consistent return on investments. In June 2025, the distribution was set at a rate of 4% to achieve this, whilst also seeking capital growth in real terms, over the much longer term. This is to be achieved through a balanced and diversified portfolio of equities, bonds, property, alternative assets, and cash. Further details of this policy is provided in the financial review.

The investment strategy is set by the Board and takes into account income and capital growth requirements, ethical considerations, the risk profile, and the investment managers’ view of the market prospects in the medium term. Quarterly reports are received from the investment managers.

The Board invests mainly through pooled funds managed by external investment managers, reporting to the Assets Committee, which reviews the Board’s investments, monitors performance and recommends changes when appropriate. The property portfolio is primarily managed by professional managing agents, who report to the Glebe Committee, which monitors performance and the implementation of the investment strategy.

This policy was approved in April 2026.

All those involved in church life, whether clergy, employees or volunteers are entitled to an environment free from hostility. Intimidating behaviour also prevents members of staff from working effectively and denies them job satisfaction. Harassment, including sexual and racial harassment, bullying and victimisation are all unacceptable and are disciplinary offences (such behaviour may also in some cases be illegal).

BISHOP’S COUNCIL

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Approved by:                 Bishop’s Council

Policy originator:        Diocesan Synod

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            02 March 2026

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 02 March 2029

Summary

As the Diocese of St Albans, we affirm that:

• caring for God’s creation is a Biblical requirement, a gospel imperative, and central to the Missio Dei.

• the Fifth Mark of Mission commits us: “to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the Earth”.
• our Diocesan Living God’s Love vision commits us to loving care and service to the world which we share with countless other species.
• we recognise that we are living in a time of climate and environmental crisis which affects the whole of God’s creation.
• we acknowledge and seek forgiveness for our part in causing the degradation and destruction of our common home.
• as a commitment to action, the Diocese of St Albans has registered with A Rocha and achieved the Bronze Eco Diocese award and will continue to progress to Silver and Gold award levels. As part of this commitment, we will work to achieve the Church of England target of Net Zero carbon emissions across all Diocesan operations by 2030.
• we will embed principles of sustainability across all our operations, seeking to protect and restore the Earth for the benefit of future generations.

• we will listen to and work with young people, acknowledging that the environmental crisis will directly affect health, well-being and quality of life in the future.
• we will set at the heart of our commitment those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, supporting climate mitigation and working for climate justice.

Theological foundations

Fundamental to our faith is the principle of God as Creator of everything, and that this creation is essentially good. Among God’s creatures, humankind has a vocation to care for this world, sharing in God’s creativity. The book of Genesis also shows how humanity, in its fallenness, has a negative effect on the natural world, as expressed, for instance, in the ancient story of the Flood (Genesis Ch.6). The wellbeing of our world depends therefore on a loving relationship between God, humanity, and our environment.

In the New Testament, God enters creation in the person of Jesus, fully God and fully human. As stated at beginning of John’s Gospel, echoing the beginning of Genesis, the Word became flesh and lived among us. This affirms the goodness of creation as the vehicle for God’s self-revelation, in which God does not just appear to be a human creature, but actually is so. By extension, the same is true of the Eucharist: by the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ gives himself to us in bread and wine, ‘which earth has given and human hands have made’ (Common Worship), celebrating earth’s fertility and human creativity.

As Christians, we also live in hope, praying and working for God’s kingdom to come ‘on earth as in heaven’, God’s new creation, rooted in Christ’s death and resurrection. This means that this world contains the very seeds of our hope. However, the Gospel also calls us to a life of repentance, turning away from deep habits of exploitation and, in the power of God’s Spirit, restoring that harmony between God, humanity, and the environment. The target of net zero carbon is a clear expression of such repentance, as we seek to live more simply and justly, treading more lightly on this fragile planet.

In the Diocese of St Albans we are called to live God’s love, going deeper into God, making new disciples, and transforming communities. This includes a deeper knowledge of God as Creator, who made us and blesses us, who in Christ has entered into creation, and in the Spirit made us part of God’s new creation, nurtured in the Eucharist. In response, we invite all to share in this relationship, pointing from the wonder of creation to its Creator. In this way, we become communities of transformation, sharing in God’s creation and re-creation, within ourselves and in the world. We also acknowledge that we are connected with sisters and brothers across the world, including our link dioceses in the Caribbean. This brings with it the urgency to respond to the climate crisis as it threatens and harms especially the most vulnerable in our world.

Finally, Christians are called not to fear or despair, but to be a people of hope. We are in an ecological crisis, but in biblical terms, ‘crisis’ (coming from the Greek word for ‘judgement’) is an opportunity for decision and change. For this we need generosity in looking outwards, joy in celebrating the world’s goodness, imagination to rethink how things could be, and courage to act now.

Response

Our response to the Biblical imperative to care for creation is fundamental to our Diocesan vision, Living God’s Love.

We will seek to live in the spirit of Christian joy and fullness of life, celebrating the infinitely complex and beautiful world which we share with countless other species.

We acknowledge and repent of our part in causing the climate and biodiversity crises faced by our world. We seek forgiveness and ask for guidance that we become wise stewards of the Earth. In humility may we learn from and be inspired by the natural world, seeking courage and strength to act with urgency on the causes of climate change and demonstrating that caring for the Earth is integral to showing love for our neighbour and living faithfully in the light of the Gospel.

We also recognise that the work being undertaken now will have to be continued by our successors, and we must be courageous in seeking the generational change necessary to protect and restore the Earth for the benefit of future generations.

As a sign of commitment, this Diocese has registered with A Rocha UK to work towards Eco Diocese status. As part of this work the environmental impact of our activities and use of resources will be fully considered in all our operations, including worship and teaching, study and education, outreach and pastoral care, use of our buildings, management of resources, travel, administration, planning and programmes.

As part of this commitment, we will work to achieve the Church of England target of Net Zero carbon emissions across all Diocesan operations by 2030, in line with the strategy set out in the Church of England Routemap to Net Zero Carbon.

We will strive to adapt to become fully sustainable in all we do, living in harmony with the natural world which God created and accepting our responsibilities to care for other living creatures.

We will respond in loving service to protect our neighbours from the injustice of climate change and to endeavour to take all necessary steps to limit our carbon footprint and actions which threaten biodiversity and pollute and destroy our common home. We will set at the heart of all our actions the needs of those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and strive to turn this vision into reality for the benefit of future generations, all parts of society and those at most risk of harm.

We acknowledge the impact of the environmental crisis on the health, well-being and quality of life of the young, and will listen and act to address their concerns.

Informed by the experience of Christians in the Anglican communion, we will encourage and support climate mitigation projects to support these communities, to help them recover from disasters and build resilience for the future.

Environmental Policy Aims and Objectives

The Environmental Policy aims to express the theological basis for our Diocese to protect and safeguard the Earth and God’s creation through a series of objectives and practical actions (referenced below) in accordance with our shared values and the Diocesan vision of ‘Living God’s Love’.  It presents the response of our Diocese to the environmental crisis in one over-arching document, supported by the policy documents and action plans of each constituent part of the Diocese, and following the policies and action plans of the Church of England.

Eco Diocese

A key policy objective is for our Diocese to provide a practical and affordable means by which all its constituent bodies can respond to the climate and biodiversity crises and work towards a more sustainable future.  The framework for this response is the Eco Diocese scheme, devised to underpin good work being done at grass-roots level and to provide support, guidance and a structure within which good practice can be communicated, resources shared and by which encouragement can be given to others.

As part of this commitment, we have demonstrated achievement of the standards set for the Bronze level Eco Diocese award and will continue working towards Silver and Gold level awards in the following required areas:

• Ownership: Establish a Diocesan Environmental Group to oversee progress and to coordinate delivery of the Church of England’s net zero carbon agenda within the Diocese.
• Relevant Diocesan Office Award: Achieve silver and gold awards for the Diocesan Office and promote an understanding amongst all staff of Eco Diocese goals.
• Eco Church Awards: Achieve 40%of churches registered as Eco Churches; 30%of churches with an award; 10%of churches with silver awards or higher.
• Land: Develop an environmental policy and a land management plan, with an explicit reference to promoting biodiversity and managing the land for carbon reduction across the diocese.
• Training and Development: Include environmental training in standard diocesan training for both lay and ordained ministry, supported by the Board of Mission and Ministry, and opportunities for training and development for other regional staff and volunteers.
• Schools and education: Diocesan Board of Education to establish and maintain an appropriate environmental policy.
• Carbon Reduction Plan: Agree carbon reduction targets and develop an action plan in line with the Church of England Routemap to Net Zero Carbon.
• Finance and Investments: Write an ethical banking and investments policy in line with the ethical investment policies of the Church of England and following good environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria.
• Collaboration: Work with partner church groups both locally and internationally to raise mutual awareness in regard to climate change and species loss mitigation and resilience measures.
• Celebrating creation: Regular and substantial presence of environmental issues on the diocesan website and through wider communication channels.

Net Zero Carbon

Following the resolution of General Synod in February 2020, the Diocese of St Albans developed a Net Zero Carbon Action Plan, approved at the October Synod in 2022, to coordinate efforts across all Diocesan operations to work towards achieving Net Zero Carbon status by 2030. It incorporates Net Zero targets in line with the Church of England Routemap to Net Zero Carbon strategy document and will be reviewed and updated regularly. Once guidance from the national church has been made available, a plan for the appropriate offsetting of residual emissions will be developed, taking into account local conditions, requirements and opportunities, with the expectation that as emissions reductions grow and are sustained the amount of offsetting will decrease.

The individual policies and action plans of all Diocesan operations will contribute to the Diocesan Net Zero Carbon Action Plan, to be reviewed and updated in line with Church of England Routemap to Net Zero Carbon.

Biodiversity

Mindful of the Fifth Mark of Mission, and in response to the environmental emergency, our Diocese will take action to safeguard, sustain and renew the precious eco systems on which all life depends. We recognise that the land and buildings held by our Diocesan bodies including parishes represent a resource which can offer opportunities for management for the benefit of wild species. We acknowledge our responsibilities as custodians of a biodiversity heritage to be found in our churchyards, which may provide a refuge for a wide variety of species at risk in the wider countryside.  We will seek to preserve and enhance this heritage, and to inspire wider interest and action by engaging with our local communities through educational activities and events.  We will work with others to protect the natural habitats within our Diocesan boundary which contribute to its unique character, including grassland, woodland, heathland, wetlands and globally rare chalk stream habitats. We will work with wildlife trusts, local authorities and others so that individual churchyards, church school grounds and other land holdings can contribute strategically to the wider ecology of the landscape, forming wildlife corridors, and acting as green oases in the urban environment.  Through the Living Churchyards scheme, Eco church and Eco schools’ programmes we will promote environmental education and sustainable management of all our buildings and green spaces, reducing our consumption of natural resources and taking urgent action to reduce pollution and degradation of the atmosphere, water sources, and soils.  In gratitude for the beauty of the earth which sustains us, we will explore ways to offer our churchyards and gardens as a resource for our communities and a source of well-being and good mental health for all.

Implementation

These aims and objectives will be incorporated into our working practices at all levels across the diocese and all boards and committees to embed sustainable principles and a coordinated delivery of our agreed targets.

In support of our Diocesan mission statement ‘Living God’s Love’ we will encourage the principles and priorities of the Eco Church programme to form part of parish Mission Action Plans.

The Diocesan Environment Officer working closely with the Net Zero Carbon Officer and other Diocesan staff and clergy will ensure that Diocesan employees and office holders are familiar with and support the implementation of these objectives and ensure compliance with relevant environmental regulations.

The Diocesan Environment Officer will be supported in the co-ordination and delivery of the Environment Policy by the Diocesan Environment Group, and by liaising with the National Church and other appropriate agencies, provide information and advice needed inform all actions in pursuit of the aims of this policy.

The Diocesan Environment Officer will seek to support the work of church members in our deaneries and parishes, promoting sharing of good practice and resources between churches.

Working within the Church Buildings (DAC) and Estates Departments, and with the Diocesan Environment Officer, the Diocesan Net Zero Carbon officer will be responsible for the development of the Diocesan Net Zero Carbon policy, strategy and Action Plan, and the monitoring and reporting of progress towards the implementation of the Diocesan Net Zero Carbon Action Plan.

The Net Zero Carbon Officer will provide practical support and resources for the sustainable management of Church-owned land and buildings, including collaborative working with parishes in all parts of the Diocese, with the Diocesan Environment Officer and Diocesan support staff across departments, and with adjacent Dioceses, the wider Church and other relevant organisations.

We will continue to promote funding opportunities for environmental projects as opportunities arise, to provide both financial support and as an incentive towards imaginative and creative initiatives within the Diocese.

We will encourage wider collaboration on environmental issues, both looking beyond our Diocese with a national and international perspective to linked Dioceses in the Anglican communion and within our Diocese to collaborate with representatives of other Christian denominations, as well as other faiths and secular bodies that actively share our concern for the environment.

Standards and accountability

We will comply with all applicable statutory requirements, seeking to match our performance to the highest relevant standards of good practice.

A report on progress towards the objectives of this policy will be prepared annually for Diocesan Synod, with interim reports to Bishop’s Council, and in addition necessary data to enable Diocesan Synod to complete the biannual report for General Synod on emission reductions will be provided on an annual basis.

This policy will be reviewed as a minimum every three years, according to national and international information and standards, based on the best available scientific evidence, and national policy of the Church of England, and report to the next available Diocesan Synod meeting in accordance with the above.

Strategy

The practical outworking of the aims and objectives above form a strategy for environmental actions which will align with the A Rocha Eco Diocese programme and the strategy set out in the Church of England Routemap to Net Zero Carbon.

Each operational area of the Diocese is expected to produce its own strategic plan to meet the relevant aims and objectives outlined above, which are appropriate across their areas of operation. This will include, but not be limited to

• Parishes
• Deaneries
• The Cathedral
• Board of Mission and Ministry
• Diocesan Board of Education
• Diocesan Advisory Committee
• Diocesan Board of Finance
• Property Team (to include both Property Committee and Glebe Committee
• Verulam House Fund Trust

These plans will inform and interpret the Diocesan strategy, providing a means to deliver positive change through objectives which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely (SMART).

We will seek to work collaboratively across our Diocese and with others in our communities, incorporating environmental principles into all our actions.  In this we will demonstrate our commitment to urgent action, making opportunities to influence, to be credible and missional through caring for creation, working for climate justice and the end of poverty, and a just and equitable future for all.

Examples of strategic actions at Diocesan level include:

• Switching to Green Energy

Switching to Green Energy as soon as reasonably practical across the whole diocesan portfolio to reduce our environmental impact, as a demonstration of our faith in action and our commitment to a more sustainable and just future.

• Eco Church Registration and Eco Diocese award

Churches are encouraged to register for the Eco Church award scheme under the umbrella of the Eco Diocese scheme (with progression to Silver and Gold awards). Develop resources and support through the Mentor scheme, ecumenical ‘Clusters’ within geographical locations, Deanery Eco Champions, and ‘Beacon churches’ to share good practice and inspire action.

• Contribution to, and use of the Energy Footprint Tool

Encourage all parishes to input data to the Energy Footprint Tool to improve their management of energy through better understanding of their energy performance as part of the national as well as diocesan picture, and to provide guidance on practical steps towards achieving greater energy efficiency and lowering carbon footprints.

• Biodiversity – Parish and Community engagement

Encourage the appropriate management of churchyards and gardens to enhance biodiversity and collaborate with local communities to support biodiversity conservation as part of outreach activities.

• Sharing resources and experience across the Diocese

Sharing of experience and resources across the activities of the diocese which encourage one another in exploring and expanding the ways in which we enjoy and take care of the God-given natural environment. This includes use of social media, mentoring and proclaiming experience.

• Training and skills development

Incorporate environmental training and creation care theology into the training of ordained and lay ministers, Diocesan staff and Eco champions. Provide advice and support for parishes including carbon literacy and identify further training needs.

• Application of engineering technology

Pursue opportunities to achieve greater sustainability across the diocesan estate, where feasible, appropriate, and cost effective, applying knowledge gained from Demonstrator projects, practical experience from the Estates team, and following best practice as advised by the DAC. Encourage the adoption of renewable and reduced carbon energy and include solutions such as insulation, energy saving lighting, generation of green energy, including in parishes.

• Sequestration (capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide)

The identification of options for carbon sequestration which offer practical, reliable, and auditable opportunities for carbon offsetting, both among our diocesan assets (renewable energy generation, management of churchyards, glebe land, etc.) and elsewhere.

There is a requirement placed on the Archdeacons on the occasion of Admitting Churchwardens into Office – ie at a Visitation Service – to make sure Churchwardens have the information they need to do their voluntary roles. These Visitation Services are carried out every year, and every churchwarden has to attend in order to carry out their role.

As is now our custom, the Archdeacons are providing The Charge as a separate document. The Visitation Services are times of worship and prayer with preaching, as well as the swearing in of Churchwardens. This document is provided for all to add tothe information contained in the Archdeacons’ Visitation News which is available electronically on the Diocesan website along with The Charge http://www.stalbansdiocese.org/parishsupport/managing-your-church/church-officers/churchwardens/

This template should be personalised by the Parish and issued to PCC members once elected for them to confirm that they meet Charity Commission and HMRC requirements as trustees.

All PCC Members are Charity Trustees. This template can be used by Parishes (once their individual details are added) and a signed copy should be held on file for each serving PCC Member.

Trustee Eligibility and FPP Declaration  Template – word version

Trustee Eligibility and FPP Declaration  Template – pdf version

Certificate of Election form for Churchwarden Elections for Hertford Archdeaconry.

Citation: Churchwarden Elections for Hertford Archdeaconry.

Intention to attend Visitations form: Churchwarden Elections for Hertford Archdeaconry.

Videos shared in advance of, or at Synod can be found on the following links:

Inspirational Stories from Around the Diocese

Single Friendly Church – introductory video

SMMIB Bid Update

Discipleship and Vocations – introductory video

Discipleship and Vocations – ‘I Am Called’

Approved by:                    Property Committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:            Charlotte Kirby, Property Director

Accessible at:                  Diocesan Website

Date approved:               25 March 2026

Review period:                 Three years

Deanery Reps 2026-2029

Deanery Synod Representative Numbers for 2026

Also available as a Word Document: Form for Nomination of Churchwardens

Support in Your Ministry (SIM) leaflet

Recording of APCM training session

Slides from APCM training session

APCM FAQs

Approved by:                 The Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:        Glyn Barker, Finance Director

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            31 October 2023

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 31 October 2026

The majority of the Board’s budget is expended on the monthly payment of stipends and salaries. Any action to deal with cash flow shortfalls will take time to implement. Therefore, the Board has agreed that the level of free reserves should ideally be not less than eight and not more than twelve weeks’ expenditure.

The Board continues to review the level of working capital to ensure that it covers core costs and there is sufficient cash flow to conduct the activities of the charity on a day-to-day basis. It is the Board’s policy to set aside, in a Property Ring-fenced Fund, capital receipts from the sale of former parsonage houses that become surplus to needs after pastoral reorganisation. The purpose of this fund is to invest in income generating assets in order to fund improvements to its remaining housing stock.

Approved by:                Audit and Risk Committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:        Glyn Barker, Finance Director

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            31 October 2023

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 31 October 2026

Approved by:                 The Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:        Glyn Barker, Finance Director

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:           26 February 2024

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 26 February 2027

Introduction

The DBF is prepared to lend money to a PCC where it delivers the objectives of both parties and is also in their long-term interests.

The key benefits are financial and charitable. The DBF will support its own charitable objectives and those of the parish and will protect itself from financial exposure.

PCCs are able to take out loans under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended and the Church Representation Rules (contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 as amended.

The Loan

The loan will:

• be short term, typically in the nature of a bridging loan
• be adequately secured on property
• be charged at a rate of interest which matches the total return requirement of the DBF pertaining at the time
• be made under a formal written agreement which includes reasonable repayment terms

The PCC

The PCC will provide written evidence of the PCC’s application and subsequent acceptance of the terms of the loan, approved by the PCC.

The PCC’s application, directed to the DBF, will:

• be clear why they wish to borrow money
• state how much they wish to borrow
• state the period for which the loan is required
• include a clear and robust repayment plan with an assessment of future cash flow

The DBF

Before granting the loan, the DBF will carry out sufficient due diligence to be satisfied of the ability of the PCC to repay the loan and for it to be able to continue to pay its immediate financial requirements during the period of the loan. This will include a review of parish share contributions.

Decisions

Can be made by:

• the DBF
• the Chair or Vice-Chair in conversation with the Diocesan Secretary and Director of Finance between meetings and reported to the next DBF meeting
• a sub-committee named by the DBF

Approved by:                 Audit and Risk Committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:        Glyn Barker, Finance Director

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            14 October 2025

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 14 October 2028

• Types of Grants awarded

  Grants made by the Diocesan Board of Finance from funds fall into one or more of the following categories:

  • Grants to parish churches to assist with repairs or rebuilding costs
  • Grants to parish churches for roof alarms
  • Grants made at the discretion of the Bishop in support of evangelism and mission projects
  • Grants made at the discretion of the Bishop or Archdeacons for clergy assistance
  • Mission-Aided Grants – identified by the Archdeacons for parishes who meet the criteria
  • Pastoral Aid Support Grants to assist in meeting Parish Share contribution
  • Mission Initiatives
  • Church Schools – Grants for capital funding from the schools’ conditions allocations (SCA); other grants to Schools
  • External Charities – For humanitarian relief mission and evangelism
  • Clergy and Clergy widows
  • Ordinands’ support
  • Discretionary Grants for the relief of financial hardship

   

•  

  Committees awarding Grants

  The main Grant Awarding committees are:

  • The Parish Grants Committee
  • Parish Share Support Committee
  • Board of Education for schools’ capital funding
  • Mission and Ministry has the ability to make small grants for missional purposes to parishes. This is delegated to it by the Parish Grants Committee
  • Mission and Ministry is also responsible for the grants to Ordinands within the strict terms and conditions of the payments agreed via the National Church

   

  All awards are authorized by the designated trustees. A detailed list of those institutions receiving grants may be obtained on request from the Diocesan Secretary.

   

   

   

Approved by:                 Audit and Risk Committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:        Glyn Barker, Finance Director

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            14 October 2025

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 14 October 2028

Overview

In November 2017, it was agreed, that a Delegation of Authority policy should be drawn up to set out matters specifically reserved for decisions by the Board and its senior officers, and clarifying or establishing the related roles of the Bishop’s Staff, the Bishop’s Council, and other boards and committees and their staff.

Background

The Board, as Directors of the Company and trustees of the charity, is ultimately responsible for the decisions and actions taken, but whilst some specific decisions are reserved to the Board, it needs to decide which other matters it will make decisions about and which it can and will delegate.  It also needs to implement suitable financial and related controls and reporting arrangements to make sure it oversees these delegated matters.

Unlike many companies or charities, overall strategy is determined by related bodies in the Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod, as well as working closely with, and supporting the work of, the Board for Mission and Ministry and the Board of Education. The Bishop’s Staff lies outside the formal structures of the Diocese. It acts as an advisory group to the Bishop and informs, and is informed by, the discussions and decisions of the Synods, Boards and Committees of the Diocese. Individual members of the Bishop’s Staff may exercise powers arising by virtue of their office.  They may also act individually or collectively as Chairs of Boards and Committees. The members of the Bishop’s Council act as quasi trustees and “shadow directors” and, with all other diocesan bodies, should operate according to the same principles of good governance.

None of these bodies can have ‘hands-on’ involvement in every area of activity and will therefore delegate day-to-day responsibility to:

• Sub-Committees
• Individual Chairmen or Directors
• Officers of the charity and other lead officers in the Diocese

As overall responsibility, and liability, rests with the trustees, it is necessary both to give clear guidance and to establish thorough reporting systems to ensure that they make the appropriate decisions about the overall direction of the Charity and to ensure those decisions are enacted. As each trustee is jointly and severally liable, it is important that decisions are taken by the Board as a whole, meeting together in order that they may hear arguments either in favour or against a decision before casting a vote on a proposal.

Purpose

The Delegation of Authority Policy is a policy that has been established by the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance to:

• Set out matters specifically reserved for determination by the Board and matters delegated to management
• Set out matters reserved for specific roles in the organization, including related bodies
• Establish finance approval limits by role including decisions relating to finance/expenditure/investments
• Establish Human Resources decisions by role relating to employment and remuneration, including termination and redundancy

Matters reserved for the Board

Matters specifically reserved for the Board include:

• Decisions about the charity’s strategy and policies
• Matters involving financial amounts above a certain limit
• Approval of contracts and obligations above a specified limit
• Approval of, or changes to, the annual budget
• All matters relating to the charity with the potential to have a material impact on the reputation of the organisation

Matters delegated to management

Other than as expressly provided in this policy, all matters not specifically reserved for the Board and necessary for the day-to-day management of the organization, and the implementation of corporate objectives, are delegated to the senior officers of the Board who may sub-delegate where appropriate. The Board’s policies and procedures provide guidance on the execution of specific roles and responsibilities.

In drawing up a schedule of matters reserved for the Board it is important to establish procedures for dealing with those issues that have to be dealt with urgently, often between regular board meetings. Decisions could be made by email. or telephone conference, subject to the normal quorum in line with physical Board meetings.

The Chair does not have presumed delegated authority to take decisions on behalf of the other directors unless this has already been decided at a prior meeting relating to a specific matter likely to arise between meetings. In all cases, however, the procedures should balance the need for urgency with the overriding principle that each trustee should be given as much information as possible, the time to consider it properly, and an opportunity to discuss the matter with all the available trustees prior to the commitment of the charity and to receive professional advice where appropriate.

The Delegation of Authority is constructed to enable timely and effective action by trustees so that they are able to fulfill their legal and constitutional duties, through mechanisms and policies which enable them to delegate, monitor and, if necessary, modify or withdraw the delegated authority if it is considered necessary.

Management shall be responsible for:

• Ensuring that day-to-day operations are carried out in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirements
• Ensuring that policies, practices and decisions are undertaken in a manner that is prudent, equitable and consistent, and having regard to equality and diversity policies
• Ensuring that assets are protected, adequately maintained and not placed at unnecessary risk
• Ensuring that approved priorities are reflected in the allocation of resources
• Ensuring that budgeting is based on generally accepted accounting principles and that budgets are balanced
• Promoting a healthy work environment for staff that is consistent with the organisation’s value

Approved by:                Audit and Risk Committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:        Glyn Barker, Finance Director

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            14 October 2025

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 14 October 2028

Policy Statement

Tax Evasion is a criminal offence. The Board, and those acting on its behalf, commits to conducting business fairly, openly and honestly and in accordance with the highest ethical, moral and legal standards and that its processes and financial transactions comply with applicable legislation including the Criminal Finances Act 2017, which received Royal Assent on 27 April 2017.

The Board is committed to the prevention, deterrence and detection of tax evasion and has a zero- tolerance towards tax evasion.

The Criminal Finances Act 2017

The Act creates two offences:

• The first offence applies to all businesses, wherever located, in respect of the facilitation of UK tax evasion.
• The second offence applies to businesses with a UK connection in respect of the facilitation of non-UK tax evasion.

There are two stages for the corporate offences to apply:

• Criminal tax evasion (and not tax avoidance) must have taken place; and
• A person/entity who is associated with the business must have criminally facilitated the tax evasion whilst performing services for that business.

Associated persons are employees, agents and other persons who perform services for or on behalf of the business, such as contractors, suppliers, agents and intermediaries.

For either of the offences to apply, the employee or associated person must have criminally facilitated the tax evasion, in their capacity as an employee or associated person, providing services to the business. A business cannot be criminally liable for failing to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion if the facilitator was acting in a personal capacity.

As noted, the offences only apply when there has been fraudulent tax evasion. Fraudulent evasion occurs where a person knows he has a tax liability and forms a dishonest intention not to declare it. It does not arise where a person makes a mistake or is careless. It also does not apply where a person actively seeks to avoid tax, even if the planning in question does not work, provided that the person has an honest belief when filing his tax return.

Equally the facilitator must have a criminal intent – and thus be an ‘accomplice’. At its simplest, the facilitator knows that he is helping another person to carry out a fraud. Unwitting facilitation of tax evasion is not enough. Nor would knowing facilitation of tax avoidance be enough.

Objective of this policy

This policy provides a framework to enable those acting on behalf of the Board to understand and implement arrangements enabling compliance.

Employees must not:

• Engage in any form of facilitating Tax Evasion or Foreign Tax Evasion
• Aid, abet, counsel or procure the commission of a Tax Evasion offence or Foreign Tax Evasion offence by another person
• Fail to promptly report any request or demand from any third party to facilitate the fraudulent Evasion of Tax by another person, in accordance with this policy; or
• Engage in any other activity that might lead to a breach of this policy; or
• Threaten or retaliate against another individual who has refused to commit a Tax Evasion offence or a Foreign Tax Evasion offence or who has raised concerns under this policy
• Be knowingly concerned in, or take steps with a view to, the fraudulent evasion of tax

Scope of this policy

This policy applies to all of the Board’s activities and also to any separate legal entities owned and controlled by them.

This policy is applicable to, and must be followed by, all personnel, including those permanently employed, temporary agency staff, contractors, trustees, agents, volunteers and consultants. Failure to comply could result in disciplinary action, including dismissal and possible criminal prosecution. This policy also applies to volunteers, trustees, committee members and Synod members.

The Board requires all those receiving funds or representing the Board, including their suppliers, grant recipients, partners, investment counterparties, contractors and agents, to act in accordance with this policy.

Definitions

• Tax evasion means the offence of cheating the public revenue or fraudulently evading UK tax and is a criminal offence. The offence requires an element of fraud, which means there must be deliberate action, or omission with dishonest intent.
• Foreign tax evasion means evading tax in a foreign country, provided that the conduct is an offence in that country and would be a criminal offence if committed in the UK. As with tax evasion, the element of fraud means there must be deliberate action, or omission with dishonest intent.
• Tax evasion facilitation means being knowingly concerned in, or taking steps with a view to, the fraudulent evasion of tax (whether in the UK or overseas) by another person, or aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of that offence.
• Tax evasion facilitation is a criminal offence where it is done deliberately and dishonestly. The Criminal Finance Act, 2017, also makes clear that a separate criminal offence is committed where a person or organisation acting on behalf of the Diocese knowingly engages in any of the above activities, and in such cases the liability rests with the Board (see section on liability). Acts taken accidentally, ignorantly or negligently automatically constitute an offence.
• Tax avoidance and tax planning means taking legal steps to minimise tax payable.
• Tax: means all forms of UK taxation, including, but not limited to, corporation tax, income tax, value added tax, stamp duty, stamp duty land tax, national insurance contributions (and their equivalents overseas) and includes duty and any other form of taxation.

Examples of tax evasion

• Making payments to a contractor or self-employed worker in non-cash form (e.g. vouchers or in-kind) or ‘cash in hand’ in order that they could avoid declaring the income for tax purposes.
• Falsely recording a supplier as a self-employed worker to enable payments to be made gross in the knowledge that taxable income will not be declared.
• Managers colluding with employees to sign off expenses which are for non-business purposes or constitute a taxable benefit but without declaring them as such and thus evading tax payable.
• Deliberately and dishonestly collaborating with a supplier to falsify the amount paid on an invoice e.g., by reducing the true amount paid so that the supplier evades income/corporate taxes.
• Deliberately conspiring with a supplier to conceal the true source country of goods to evade VAT or Customs duties.

 Responsibilities

The Board requires that all personnel, including those permanently employed, office holders, trustees, temporary agency staff and contractors:

• To act honestly and with integrity at all times and to safeguard the organisation’s resources for which they are responsible
• To comply with the spirit, as well as the letter, of the law

Employees must not undertake any transactions which:

• Cause the Board to commit a tax evasion offence
• Participate in any form of facilitation of tax evasion
• Facilitate a tax evasion offence by a third party who is not an employee of the Board
• Fail to report a request or demand from a third party to facilitate actual or suspected tax evasion
• Engage in any activity to threaten a third party that refuses to engage in the facilitation of tax evasion
• Engage in any activity which might lead to a breach of this Policy and the Criminal Finance Act, 2017

We are committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships wherever we operate and implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter tax evasion facilitation.

At all times, business should be conducted in a manner such that the opportunity for, and incidence of, tax evasion is prevented.

Liability

The liability for tax evasion rests with the Board. All employees, officers, and associated parties have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure compliance with tax regulations. Failure to adhere to these obligations may result in personal and organisational liability, including civil penalties, criminal prosecution, and reputational damage. The Board will hold individuals accountable for deliberate acts of tax evasion or facilitation thereof, and reserves the right to take disciplinary action, including termination, in addition to cooperating fully with regulatory authorities. By acknowledging this policy, stakeholders affirm their duty to act transparently and report any suspected non-compliance immediately.

Commitment

The Board is committed to:

• Setting out a clear anti-tax evasion policy and keeping it up to date
• Making all employees aware of their responsibilities to adhere strictly to this policy at all times
• Encouraging its employees to be vigilant and to report any suspicions of tax evasion, providing them with suitable channels of communication and ensuring sensitive information is treated appropriately
• Rigorously investigating instances of alleged tax evasion and assisting police and other appropriate authorities in any resultant prosecution
• Taking firm and vigorous action against any individual(s) involved in tax evasion
• Provide information to all employees to report breaches and suspected breaches of this policy
• Include appropriate clauses in contacts to prevent tax evasion

Staff responsibilities

The prevention, detection and reporting of tax evasion are the responsibility of all those working for the Board or under its control. All staff are required to avoid activity that breaches this policy.

You must:

• Ensure that you read, understand and comply with this policy
• Raise concerns as soon as possible if you believe or suspect that a conflict with this policy has occurred or may occur in the future.

As well as the possibility of civil and criminal prosecution, staff that breach this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for gross misconduct.

Raising a concern

The Board is committed to ensuring that everyone has a safe, reliable, and confidential way of reporting any suspicious activity.

If you have a concern regarding a suspected instance of tax evasion, please contact either the Diocesan Secretary or the Chair of the DBF as soon as you have concerns or report your concerns via the whistleblowing policy.

Letter of Advice to PCC Secretaries re. APCMs

Deanery Synod Certificate 2026 – blank (word)

Deanery Synod Certificate 2026 – blank (pdf)

Form for Notification of Revision of Roll (pdf)

Form for Notification of Revision of Roll (word)

Notes for PCC Secretaries re. APCM

2026 ER Certificate (blank copy) – word

2026 ER Certificate (blank copy) – pdf

This Statement of Needs has been prepared to support the process of discerning the next Bishop of St Albans. It sets out a picture of who we are as a diocese—our people, our places, our challenges and hopes—and the leadership we believe is needed for the next stage of our journey.

The content of this document has been shaped by wide, prayerful and thoughtful input. It draws on the views of diocesan boards and committees, parish clergy and lay leadership, members of the diocesan staff and, crucially, over 600 responses from individuals and groups across the Diocese who took part in a public consultation. We are hopeful and grateful for the voices and stories that have shaped a shared vision for what the Diocese of St Albans seeks in its next bishop.

This is not just a profile—it’s a tool for discernment. We trust it will guide the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) and others involved in the appointment as they consider who is best suited to lead us. Our aim is not to prescribe, but to describe: to speak honestly about where we are, what we hope for, and what kind of leadership will help us respond faithfully to God’s call. We hope it will be a guide in finding the person who God has already prepared to lead us forward.

Intention to attend Visitations: Churchwarden Elections for Bedford Archdeaconry.

Certificate of Election: Churchwarden Elections for Bedford Archdeaconry.

Certificate of Election: Churchwarden Elections for Bedford Archdeaconry.

Intention to attend Visitations: Churchwarden Elections for St Albans Archdeaconry.

Citation: Churchwarden Elections for St Albans Archdeaconry.

Certificate of Election: Churchwarden Elections for St Albans Archdeaconry.

Recording of APCM training session

Slides from APCM training session

APCM FAQs

Approved by:                 DBF

Policy originator:        Gordon Shrosbree, Diocesan IT Manager

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            27 November 2023

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 27 November 2026

Privacy Statement

The SADBF is committed to respecting the privacy of all those for whom we hold personal information/data at any time. If you have any queries please do get in touch. You will find our contact details at the end of this Privacy Notice.

This Privacy Notice sets out the data protection and data privacy policies that fall within the oversight of the SADBF as a `Data Controller’ and it explains how your personal data, as data subjects, is processed by the Diocese of St Albans and for what purposes.

The SADBF, as data controllers of personal data, are under an obligation of transparency concerning the processing of such data, under data protection legislation. Such transparency concerns specifically, the provision of information to data subjects about how their data is being processed, and facilitating individuals to access and understand this information. The SADBF are committed to engendering trust in the processes we undertake with regard to personal data, by enabling data subjects to understand, and if necessary, to challenge these processes, and to empower data subjects to hold us to account and to exercise their control over their personal data.

Adherence to this policy is mandatory for all SADBF employees, contractors, consultants and volunteers who use personal data held by the SADBF.

Introduction

The SADBF is committed to processing personal information we hold in accordance with current and developing national data legislation. This includes the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”) which governs the processing of personal data; the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.

The SADBF will comply with its obligations under the “GDPR” by processing information in line with the legal bases set out in law (see section 4 below).

The SADBF will keep personal information up to date; store and destroy information securely; not collect or retain excessive amounts of data; protect personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorised access and disclosure; and ensure that appropriate technical measures are in place to protect personal data.

The St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance (SADBF)

The SADBF has a complex arrangement of Data Controllers, including PCCs, Incumbents, Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs), the Bishops’ offices, the Archdeacons’ offices, the Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust (DSMAT) and the Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd (SADBF). The Diocese has a number of external links to theological education institutions, chaplaincies, fresh expressions of church and others, both locally, regionally and nationally, and the Parish Giving Scheme.

Across this complex picture, the Diocesan Office at Holywell Lodge includes the teams for the Diocesan Secretary; the Finance Team; the Mission and Ministry Team, the Estates Team; the Diocesan Pastoral and Advisory Team; the Communications Team; the Diocesan Safeguarding Team; the IT Team; the Mission and Ministry Team; the Vocations Team, the Schools Team and the Archdeacons’ administrative staff. All these teams come under the oversight of the Diocese of St Albans as Data Controller.

The Diocesan Office links with internal and external, formal and informal groups and bodies, as follows: PCCs; clergy; licensed lay ministers; lay leaders; those exploring vocations; those developing their discipleship; parish officers; deanery officers; statutory partners; church networks; our contractors; Board and Committee members; volunteers; and other parties (see Section 16 below) all within the Synodical governance and legal frameworks of the Church of England.

The legal basis for processing your personal data

The specific legal bases against which the SADBF will process information are:

• Legitimate Interest
• Compliance with a legal obligation
• To fulfil contractual obligations
• Consent
• Vital interest
• Public task

Most of our data is processed because it is necessary for the SADBF’s legitimate interests, or the legitimate interests of a third party (such as another organisation in the Church of England).

Some of the data processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation. For example, the work of the SADBF will fall within the legal and synodical processes of the Church of England, Canon Law; and within the secular legal structures.

The SADBF will process data if it is necessary for the performance of a contract with you, or to take steps to enter into a contract.

The SADBF will process your data in order to respond to requests from you to receive particular information.

The SADBF will process your data to assist you in fulfilling your role in the church, including pastoral and administrative support, or if processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation. Religious organisations are also permitted to process information about your religious beliefs to administer membership or contact details.

Personal Information – what it is, and why the SADBF collects it 

Personal information relates to a living individual who can be identified from that data. Identification can be by the information alone or in conjunction with any other information in the SADBF’s possession or likely to come into such possession.

Personal information is collected where the SADBF believes it has lawful reason to do so.

The SADBF will use your personal data for the following purposes: To administer meetings, elections and other such arrangements as fall within the Synodical governance framework of the Church of England and which ensures the SADBFs’ ability to meet all legal and statutory obligations, including the Church Representation Rules;

• To keep you informed of the diocesan news/information which you have requested and that may be of interest to you, including diocesan and fundraising activities;
• To keep you informed of diocesan information that is believed to be important to the role you hold within the diocese, either in our parishes and local communities or within our diocesan offices;
• To seek your views and comments;
• To manage SADBF employees and volunteers (including HR records, payroll and pension requirements and records);
• To maintain SADBF accounts and records;
• To process a grant or an application for a role;
• To maintain records of clergy, lay ministers and parish officers (including PCC Secretaries, PCC Treasurers, Churchwardens and those with specifically nominated parish roles);
• To maintain records of Deanery Synod members (and liaise with Deanery Synod Secretaries who are also required to maintain the same records);
• To maintain SADBF records of mandatory training with regard to safeguarding and other safeguarding records as set out in law and the Church of England’s national requirements;
• To manage safeguarding including DBS and safer recruitment, working with individuals within a safeguarding context within the church and within statutory and legislative requirements;
• To carry out comprehensive safeguarding procedures (including due diligence and complaints handling) in accordance with best safeguarding practice from time to time with the aim of ensuring that all children and vulnerable adults are provided with safe environments;
• To notify you of changes to our services and offices;
• To enable us to provide a church body voluntary service for the benefit of the public within the Diocese;
• To enable us to collect Mission Statistics and Finance

What personal data is collected by the SADBF?

In some or all of the following information:

• Names, titles, and aliases, photographs;
• Contact details such as telephone numbers, postal and email addresses;
• Where they are relevant, or where you provide them to us, we may process demographic information such as gender, age, date of birth, marital status, nationality, ethnicity, education/work histories, academic/professional

The data we process is likely to constitute sensitive personal data, because the fact that we process your data at all may be suggestive of your religious beliefs. Where you provide this information, we may also process other categories of sensitive personal data, racial or ethnic origin, and, where this is relevant, mental and physical health, details of injuries, medication/treatment received, criminal records, fines and other similar judicial records.

Sharing personal data

Personal data will be treated as strictly confidential and will only be shared for lawful purposes and (see Section 16 below) connected to:

• Diocesan business – we will only share your data with your consent e.g. the Diocesan online and printed Directories;
• The Bishop of St Albans;
• A national process or network– e.g. where individuals are part of exploring ordination, or those whose role is part of a national network of others in a similar role;
• Employment, social security, social protection, or other statutory

Keeping personal data[1]

The SADBF keeps data in accordance with the guidance and requirements set out in law and statutory guidance, and by the national church e.g. concerning safeguarding. Specifically, we retain personnel information as appropriate to centrally employed staff

and volunteers; safeguarding data; financially required data e.g. by HMRC and the Charity Commission (including records required to be retained for 6 years after the calendar year to which they relate); current parish officer information; Deanery, Diocesan and General Synod membership; Boards and Councils. Unless required for record keeping, personal data is deleted when a data subject no longer holds a role/position within a parish, deanery or Diocese.

Individual rights and personal data 

Unless subject to an exemption under Data Protection law, you have the following rights with respect to your personal data:

• The right to request a copy of your personal data which the SADBF holds about you;
• The right to request correction of any personal data if it is found to be inaccurate or out of date;
• The right to request your personal data is erased where it is no longer necessary for the SADBF to retain such data;
• The right, where there is a dispute in relation to the accuracy or processing of your personal data, to request a restriction is placed on further processing;
• The right at any time to withdraw your consent to processing of your personal data by the SADBF;
• The right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s

Further processing 

If the SADBF wishes to use your personal data for a new purpose, not covered by this Privacy/Data Protection Notice, then you will be provided with a new notice, explaining this new use prior to commencing the processing and setting out the relevant purposes and processing conditions. Wherever and whenever necessary, your prior consent to the new processing will be sought.

Marketing permissions and seeking consent

Whilst there may be an expectation that people involved in the life of the Diocese would expect to receive information from the SADBF through email, post, social media etc., the SADBF is required through data regulations to ensure that it asks for your permission to do so in certain circumstances and to ensure that it makes you aware of your rights in doing so.

Email and text – We will ask for your permission to contact you in this way.

Postal marketing – From time to time we may send you information about the Diocese and its work, unless you have told us you would prefer not to receive this information by post.

Bulletins and newsletters – The SADBF will, in the main, require individuals to personally opt in and out of electronically sent information, such as monthly diocesan SeeRound/Alban Life. This ensures that individuals are able to manage the information they wish to receive.

Gathering information from external sources

The SADBF from time to time may undertake research to enable it to develop its work. Any information, whether personal or of a quite general nature, will be from publicly available sources, such as: Companies House; information published in articles/papers etc.; social media which is viewed publicly; through the privacy notices of social media; messaging services e.g. LinkedIn; or through national and regional bodies or authority’s information such as the census data.

Data processors

A number of bodies process data for the SADBF, including:

• Adobe
• Amazon Business
• Apple
• Assign IT
• Barclays
• Breathe HR
• Buffer
• Buzzacott
• Aura technology (claireLOGIC)
• Canva
• Creative Stream
• Civica UK Ltd
• Daisy Comms
• Dashlane
• Gamma Telecom Ltd
• Google
• FixFlo
• Hubspot
• HComs
• Microsoft
• Mythic Beasts
• National Church Institutions (NCI)
• Pressburst, formally Chapel Studios
• Pulseway
• SendGrid
• Sign In App
• Snipe-it.io
• co.uk
• Xledger
• Youtube
• Zoom

Changes to this Privacy Notice

The SADBF will review this privacy policy regularly and may update it at any time – for example in the event of legal changes, to improve how we manage data, or where an issue or concern has come to light that needs an appropriate response. If there are any significant changes in the way the SADBF processes your personal information we will provide a prominent notice on our website or send you a notification.

Contact details and reporting concerns

To exercise all relevant rights, queries or complaints, please in the first instance contact the SADBF’s Data Protection Officer: dpo@stalbans.anglican.org or for clergy, the Diocesan Bishop’s office.

The St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance Reg. in England: Charity 248887 Company 145227.

You can also contact the Information Commissioner’s Office on 0303 123 1113 or at https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/email/ or at the Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF

Examples of those with whom the Diocese of St Albans is generally in regular contact 

• Data Controllers: The Bishops’ Offices, The Dean and Chapter of St Albans Cathedral, PCCs and Incumbents; Diocesan Board of Education, Diocese of St Albans Educational Trust (the “Umbrella” Trust), Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust (DSMAT), Parish Giving Scheme, National Church
• Clergy: all stipendiary clergy, self-supporting clergy, retired clergy with/without the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate and clergy in secular
• Other ministers: licensed lay
• Church officers and other church members: Churchwardens, PCC Secretaries, PCC Treasurers, safeguarding parish representatives/nominated people, church administrators, PCC/DCC
• Members of Synods: Deanery officers and Deanery Synod representatives, Diocesan Synod; General Synod representatives, Bishop’s
• Committees/Boards: General Committee, Assets Committee, Audit Committee, Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), DMPC Executive Committee, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel, Board for Mission and Ministry, Property Committee, Glebe Committee, Bishop’s Advisory Groups, Patrons.
• Fund applicants and Grant-making bodies: individuals/groups applying for funding for various diocesan and parish projects and initiatives; Trusts and other grant-making
• Professionals, professional bodies/organisations and contractors: relating to contracts for goods and services; individuals in their professional capacity

Examples of third parties with whom the SADBF will share data where this is appropriate 

• Clergy details – with the Bishop’s Office in the course of ministry; – periodically with Crockford’s Clerical Directory; – by the Property team where this links to works of repair and maintenance to diocesan clergy housing and the letting of diocesan properties; – with the relevant local authority in respect of council tax, relevant water authority, and utility companies in respect of energy supplies to diocesan properties; – National Church offices/Church Commissioners with regard to pensions, stipend and payroll
• Diocesan Directory – hard copy or on-line versions, to be published with consents where appropriate for certain
• Specifically named individuals – clergy/lay minister details where these relate to those undertaking ministerial development reviews and support
• Online Faculty System (OFS) – petitioners/objectors will be shared as appropriate with: the offices of the Diocesan Registrar; the offices of the Chancellor of the Diocese; statutory consultees g. Historic England; others where this facilitates the consideration of applications for either a Faculty or a matter not requiring a faculty under the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules.
• Legal and statutory guidance and others – in compliance with the range of legal responsibilities, including: land/glebe; property purchases and sales; tenancy arrangements; employment; HMRC; those involved with safeguarding issues, including Police, Probation, Social Care and Children’s Services; Charity Commission; Insurers; Legal
• National Church – in line with national safeguarding requirements; – Ministry Division and National Church Institutions as appropriate; – stipend/payroll and
• Church Commissioners – Pensions Board – SADBF pensions and other pension providers as appropriate.
• CCPAS – with regard to DBS checking
• Contractors and Insurers – with regard to SADBF appointed contractors where this relates to the provision of services to properties for emergency and maintenance

• Diocesan Boards of Finance in the Eastern region (Norwich, Ely, St Albans and St Edmundsbury and Ipswich) as part of a shared learning platform – PCCs and clergy in achieving the goals set out in the national NZC action plan and grant applications to funding bodies. List of individuals serving as eco links on PCCs.

[1] Details about retention periods can currently be found in the Record Management Guides located on the Church of England website at: – https://www.churchofengland.org/more/libraries-and-archives/records-management-guides

Approved by:                 Audit Committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:        Glyn Barker, Finance Director

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            9 May 2023

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 9 May 2026

This policy applies to members of diocesan boards, committees and councils, diocesan officers and diocesan employees.

It should be read in conjunction with the Diocese’s anti-bribery and whistleblowing policies.

Trustees have a legal obligation to act in the best interests of the charities they serve. Trustees, generally, should not benefit from the charity and should not be influenced by their wider interests when making decisions affecting the charity.   The Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity: members of the Board are charity trustees and this policy is intended to assist them in meeting their legal obligations.  As a matter of good practice, those acting for or on behalf of the Diocese as members of other boards, committees and councils, or as diocesan officers and employees, should assume similar obligations, and references to trustees below also apply to them.

What is a conflict of interest?

A conflict of interest can be defined as:

“…any situation in which a trustee’s personal interests or responsibilities that they owe to another body, may, or may appear to, influence the trustee’s decision making.”[1]

Conflicts of interest arise when the interests of trustees, or “connected persons”,[2] are incompatible or in competition with the interests of the diocese. Such conflicts may potentially:

• inhibit free discussion
• result in decisions or actions that are not in the interests of diocese
• reputational damage and the risk of the impression that the diocese has acted improperly.

Such situations present a risk that decisions will be based on these other influences, rather than the best interests of the diocese.

The most common types of conflict include:

• direct financial interest – when a trustee obtains a direct financial benefit via:
• the payment of a salary, grant or other benefit to a trustee by the charity
• the award of a contract to a company with which a trustee is involved
• the sale of property at below market value to a trustee
• indirect financial interest – this arises when a close relative of a trustee benefits from the charity:
• the awarding of a contract or grant to a trustee’s spouse or dependent child
• non-financial or personal conflicts – occur where trustees receive no financial benefit, but are influenced by external factors:
• influencing board decisions on service provision to their own advantage, perhaps because they use the charity’s service themselves or care for someone who does
• to gain some other intangible benefit or kudos
• awarding contracts to friends
• conflicts of loyalties – trustees may have competing loyalties between the charity to which they owe a primary duty and some other person or entity eg
• the body that appointed them to the charity
• their employer
• another charity of which they are trustee
• a legal obligation to another person or body

The test is whether the other interest could be seen to interfere with the trustee’s ability to decide an issue only in the best interests of the charity.

Trustees, when acting as a trustee, must act in the best interests of the charity alone.  Where a conflict does arise, the responsibility of all the trustees is to the charity. This includes any access that trustees may gain to confidential or privileged information by virtue of their trusteeship. Whatever information trustees acquire in their role should remain confidential and not be used to the advantage of themselves, an external individual, or entity.

Managing conflicts of interest

(i)                Declaration of interests

Potential and new trustees should be informed that they will be expected to declare their interests on appointment and subsequently, when they arise. They should also be provided with a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, preferably before appointment. If the potential trustee is concerned about a possible conflict of interest, they should consult the diocesan secretary before agreeing to take up the position.

On appointment, trustees should be asked to complete a declaration of interests form. Any concerns about what comes under this heading should be discussed with the diocesan secretary. The declaration of interests needs to be updated when material changes occur, and reviewed on a regular basis – at least annually.

When completing a declaration of interests, trustees should consider the following areas:

• employment
• any previous employment in which the trustee still has a financial, or other, interest
• any other appointments (voluntary or otherwise) e.g. trusteeships, directorships, local authority membership, tribunals
• professional and organisational membership
• membership of any special interest groups
• investments in unlisted companies, partnerships and other forms of business
• major shareholdings (e.g. more than 5% of issued capital) and beneficial interests
• gifts or hospitality offered to the trustee by external bodies and whether this was declined or accepted
• family connections where relevant, such as the trustee’s spouse/partner working for a similar organisation or funder
• using, or caring for a user of, the organisation’s services
• any contractual relationship between the trustee or a connected person and the charity or its subsidiary.

Recognising the need to balance accountability and unwarranted intrusion into the affairs of their trustees the level of detail required in the register will depend on:

• the likelihood of a conflict arising
• the potential damage that could be caused by a conflict.

The completed declarations should be returned to the diocesan secretary, who will be responsible for keeping the register of interests up to date.  The register will be available for inspection on request to the diocesan secretary. There may be sections of the declaration, or levels of detail within certain sections, which trustees may want and decide to keep confidential. Such information will be made available only to the chairman and such officers or professional advisers on a ‘need to know’ basis.

When a conflict of interest does arise, it is the responsibility of the trustee in question to declare such a conflict to the board. If he or she fails to do so, the chairman or secretary should declare the conflict.

(ii) Meetings

It should be standard practice for the Chairmen of diocesan boards, councils and committees to ask for declarations of interest at the start of each meeting.

Where a board, council or committee is presented with a conflict of interest, the interest should be declared, the conflict and action taken to manage it should be recorded in the minutes and, where it has been decided that an individual should withdraw from the meeting, steps should be taken to ensure that any details of the discussion relating to the conflict of interest are not divulged. The secretary of the relevant body should ensure that minutes or other documents relating to the item are appropriately redacted for the person facing the conflict. A balance needs to be made to ensure that the person still receives sufficient information about the activities of the charity generally without disclosing such sensitive information that could place the individual in an untenable position.

A particular conflict of interests may arise in the case of archdeacons when dealing with matters relating to parochial clergy and parishes within their own archdeaconry, as both members of diocesan boards and committees and, under Canon C 22, 4, are required under the bishop, to ‘assist the bishop in his pastoral care and office’.

In these circumstances the archdeacon must declare their interest.  They may present the views of the clergy/parish but must then act solely in the best interests of the diocesan body concerned or withdraw from the discussion.

In the case of clergy members of diocesan bodies voting on matters relating to stipends the policy is disapplied where such matters apply generally throughout the Diocese or some part of the Diocese and do not benefit either directly or indirectly those individuals differently from other clergy in the diocese.

(iii) Gifts and hospitality

Any gifts or hospitality offered and received in connection with their role as a trustee should be declared in accordance with the Diocese’s anti-bribery policy and a register of such declarations will be available for inspection at meetings of the Board of Finance.

Trustees acting outside the terms of their governing document, without permission from the courts or the Charity Commission, or knowingly accepting a benefit from the charity without proper authority eg from the Charity Commission, the courts, or the charity’s governing document, will be in breach of trust.

Legal obligations

Those individuals who are members of the Board of Finance are both directors in Company Law and trustees in Charity Law.  As a result they have a number of specific obligations in each:

(i) Company Law requirements

Directors/trustees of charitable companies, or of a charity’s subsidiary company, will be subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (see in particular s. 173-176) in relation to conflicts of interest and how they are managed. Specifically, directors have a duty to:

• exercise independent judgment
• avoid conflicts of interest
• not to accept benefits from third parties
• declare any interest in a proposed transaction or arrangement
• declare any interest in an existing transaction or arrangement.

1. 190 to 196 of the Companies Act 2006 limit substantial property transactions between companies and their directors and people connected[3] with the directors.

If the board of a charitable company exceeds its constitutional powers in entering into a transaction with a director/trustee (or someone connected to a director/trustee), the transaction may be declared void. Where a director fails to declare an interest in a proposed transaction, the director may be liable to a fine. The directors/trustees involved in the transaction, including those who authorised it, may be required to return any gains to the company or to make good any losses incurred.

(ii) Charity Law requirements

The Charities SORP (FRS 102) 2015 requires the following information to be provided for each individual trustee who received remuneration or other benefits in the reporting period:

• the legal authority under which the payment was made
• the name of the remunerated trustee;
• details of why the remuneration or other employment benefits were paid;
• the amount of remuneration paid;
• the amount of any pension contributions paid by the charity for the reporting period; and
• the amount of any other benefit, for example any termination benefits, private health cover or the provision of a vehicle.

If expenses have been incurred, this SORP also requires that charities must disclose:

• the total amount of expenses reimbursed to trustees or paid directly to third parties;
• the nature of those expenses (for example travel, subsistence, accommodation, entertainment etc.); and
• the number of trustees reimbursed for expenses or who had expenses paid by the charity.

This SORP requires all transactions between a charity and a related party to be disclosed subject to certain exemptions set out in paragraphs 9.18.

Additional information

Charity Commission: https://www.gov.uk/manage-a-conflict-of-interest-in-your-charity

Charities SORP: http://www.charitysorp.org/download-a-full-sorp/

Companies Act: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/pdfs/ukpga_20060046_en.pdf

[1] Page 8, Charitable Museums and Galleries: A guide to conflicts of interest policies, trustee benefits and transactions between trustees and charities, a joint publication of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Charity Commission, 2008.

[2]  s.118 Charities Act 2011 defines a “connected” person as:

1. a child, parent, grandchild, grandparent, brother or sister of a trustee;
2. spouse or civil partner of trustee, or of (a) above;
3. business partner of trustee or (a) or (b);
4. institution controlled i) by trustee or (a), (b), or (c) above or ii) by two or more persons falling within i) when taken together ;
5. a body corporate which i) the trustee or connected person in (a) to (c) has a substantial interest or, ii) two or more persons falling within i) when taken together have a substantial interest.

Trustees seeking to sell land or other property belonging to the charity should refer to s.118 of the Charities Act 2011 for a further definition of ‘connected persons’ in relation to these transactions. For trustees of charitable companies the definition of ‘connected persons’ is slightly different and readers should refer to s.252 of the Companies Act 2006.

[3] A “connected person” to a director is defined in s252(2) of the Companies Act 2006 as:

1. members of the directors’ family (s253 defines these as – spouse or civil partner; any other person with whom the director lives as a partner in an enduring family relationship, and that partners’ children or step-children under 18 years of age; children or stepchildren of the director and their partner or spouse; directors’ parents);
2. a body corporate with which the director is connected;
3. a person acting in his capacity as a trustee of a trust – i) the beneficiaries of which include the director or a person who by virtue of (a) or (b) is connected with him, or ii) the terms of which confer a power on the trustees that may be exercised for the benefit of the director or any such person, other than a trust for the purposes of an employees’ share scheme or pension scheme;
4. a person acting in his capacity as a partner – i) of the director, or ii) of a person who by virtue of (a) to (c) is connected with that director;
5. a firm that is a legal person under the law by which it is governed and in which – i) the director is a partner, ii) a partner is a person who by virtue of (a) to (c) is connected with the director, or iii) a partner is a firm in which the director is a partner or in which there is a partner who by virtue of (a), (b) or (c) is connected with the director.

Approved by:                 Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:        Elizabeth Pazzi-Axworthy, Estates and Trusts Officer

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            16 September 2024

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 16 September 2027

Policy Statement

The Glebe Committee asks counterparties to property dispositions with the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance or its subsidiary or group companies to comply with its ethical policy.  There are two main elements:

1. to combat money laundering and terrorist financing:

(a) the counterparty must not be on the UK Government Sanctions List (people, entities and ships are designated or specified under regulations made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018)

(b) the counterparty must supply evidence of its source of funds and source of wealth (used in a transaction) to make sure that these are not obtained through money laundering and terrorist financing

(c) the counterparty must not derive its source of funds and wealth from a country, administration or group which is subject to financial sanctions imposed by the UK Government

2. the nature of the business of the counterparty and those entities through which it derives its source of funds and source of wealth, or which are part of the same overall legal business structure: any such counterparty or entity must,  noting the Church of England’s ethical investment policies  https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/ethical-investment-advisory-group/policies-and-reviews and https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-07/climate_action_report_030723_digital2.pdf :

(a) not derive more than 25% of its turnover from the production or licensed sale of alcoholic drinks

(b) not be involved or derive revenues from the exploration, extraction, production or refining of coal, oil, gas or peat

(c) if exposed to deforestation, has a public deforestation policy with quantifiable, time-bound commitments that will contribute to ending deforestation; due diligence processes covering supply chains and meaningful disclosures of efforts to end deforestation

(d) be formally committed to carbon emissions pathways aligned with 1.5°C or below 1.5°C warming scenarios

(e) not derive more than 10% of its turnover from strategic military sales including conventional military platforms, whole military systems, weaponry or strategic military parts or services

(f) not be involved in the production or supply of indiscriminate weaponry (defined as nuclear weapons, anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions, chemical weapons or biological weapons), with no turnover threshold to be applied

(g) not be involved in the production, processing, supply or storage of weapons grade nuclear fissile materials, with no turnover threshold to be applied

(h) not be involved in the provision of strategic parts or services for antipersonnel mines, cluster munitions, chemical weapons or biological weapons, with no turnover threshold to be applied

(i) not derive more than 10% of its revenues from gambling activities

(j) comply with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights 2011 which are applicable to businesses https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en.pdf

(k) not derive more than 10% of its turnover from the production or sale of non-military firearms or ammunition, excepting companies specialising exclusively in products specifically designed for hunting or sporting purposes

(l) not derive material revenue (group revenue exceeding both £1m and 3% of Group turnover, derived either directly or through owned subsidiaries) from the production or distribution of pornography, the staging of live sex shows or the ownership of sex shops

(m) not derive more than 10% of their revenue from the production, distribution, or retail of tobacco products (including manufacture and supply key products necessary for the production of tobacco products, such as flavouring, filters, roll-paper, machinery and packaging)

(n) not derive more than 10% of their revenue from the production, distribution, or retail of e-cigarettes

(o) ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any of its supply chains, and in any part of its own business

(p) comply with international, national, and local legislation affecting its operations, meet its tax obligations and not make any financial contributions or offer support to any political party

(q) allow the direct or indirect offer, payment, solicitation, or acceptance of bribes in any form

How to ensure that the counterparty to the proposed disposition complies with this ethical policy?

1. The KYC checks carried out by Bidwells (or such other firm as is acting for the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance) should answer the questions at 1 above to such firm’s satisfaction regarding money laundering and terrorist financing
2. A director of the counterparty to the proposed disposition should sign a formal letter addressed to the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance in which the counterparty undertakes that it and the entities through which it derives its source of funds and source of wealth (which will be named in the letter) do not breach the requirements at 1 and 2 above and that the counterparty will inform the Board if this changes.
3. The disposition and also any contract for the disposition should each provide that any breach of the requirements at 1 and 2 above shall constitute a material breach of the relevant contract or disposition such that the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance may (in its absolute discretion and being under no obligation to do so) serve notice to terminate the contract or disposition (as the case may be) with nil penalty to the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance if it transpires that the counterparty or the entities are non-compliant at any time while the relevant contract or disposition remains in force
4. The same requirements as 1 and 2 should be put in any contract so as to apply to any disposition of the contract and also as at completion for any entity which takes a transfer or lease of the property and shall also apply to any disposition of such lease
5. Any contract or disposition shall provide that these provisions shall be directly enforceable by a group or subsidiary company of the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance

What is meant by disposition and contract?

The following are included unless the Glebe Committee decides otherwise in its absolute discretion:

1. “disposition” includes a transfer and conveyance and also a devise, bequest, or an appointment of property contained in a will; and “dispose of” has a corresponding meaning; and “conveyance” includes a mortgage, charge, lease, assent, vesting declaration, vesting instrument, disclaimer, release and every other assurance of property or of an interest therein by any instrument, except a will
2. “contract” includes any contracts or agreements for a disposition including but not limited to option, promotion, and conditional contracts or agreements

Approved by:                 Diocesan Board of Finance

Policy originator:        David White, Diocesan Secretary

Accessible at:               Diocesan Website

Date approved:            26 February 2024

Review period:             Three years

Review Date:                 26 February 2027

The Board recognises that from time to time complaints will arise.

The Board aims:

• to have a fair complaints process that is simple to use and understand;
• to be open about how we will deal with complaints;
• to ensure all complaints are investigated fairly and in a timely way;
• wherever possible to resolve complaints locally rather than centrally, and informally rather than formally;
• to gather information which helps us to improve what we do;
• to respect confidentiality.

There are specific policies or procedures relating to:

1. Complaints about diocesan church schools where a separate policy is available at: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/1969/12/complaints_policy_summary1.pdf
2. Complaints relating to local parochial matters, where the matter should be referred to the PCC;
3. Complaints from staff, who should use the Board of Finance’s grievance procedure;
4. Complaints from members of Clergy where it is a grievance relating to the exercise of the office held. The Archbishops’ Council has set out a Code of Practice and supportive advice for dealing with grievances; https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2018-10/gs1775-draft%20code%20of%20practice%3A%20grievance%20procedure.pdf

5. Complaints regarding members of clergy. From time to time ‘complaints’ or issues of concern about individual members of clergy are brought to the attention of the Bishop or to members of their Bishop’s Staff. These issues may not result in, or warrant, any sort of formal process; but it is important that each is followed up appropriately through due process, and that all parties are afforded the opportunity to share or report their concerns. The Diocese will ensure that time is set aside to gain a clearer picture of all the issues raised, that individuals have opportunities to put their views, that where it is possible reconciliation is achieved, and that decisions about any further actions are made only when there is clarity of objective information/evidence.

Complaints against members of the clergy in St Albans Diocese under the Clergy Discipline Measure should be addressed to the Bishop of St Albans and sent to Abbey Gate House, 4 Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans, AL3 4HD.

If other complaints processes apply, for example, bullying and harassment, or allegations of serious misconduct, they may be considered under the Clergy Discipline Measure.

https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/AC-1.4.pdf

6. Complaints concerning Safeguarding. The safeguarding complaints procedure cannot be used to make a safeguarding referral and if you consider a child or vulnerable adult may be at risk of harm you should contact the person to whom you are responsible or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser:

Mr Jeremy Hirst, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE

Tel: 01727 818107 (office hours)

Email: safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org

In an emergency, if you consider a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of immediate harm call the police on 999 or Adult or Children’s Services. You should also contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser within 24 hours.

If you have a concern about how a safeguarding referral has been addressed use this policy to make a complaint. For complaints the procedure below should be followed with any investigation being undertaken by a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.

For complaints the procedure below should be followed:

Definition of a complaint

A complaint is a verbal or written expression of dissatisfaction, whether justified or not.  It is not:

• A request for, or the submission of, information
• A question about a policy or procedure
• A report about an incident

Informal Approach

In many cases, a complaint is best resolved by the person responsible for the issue being complained about. If the complaint has been received by that person, they may be able to resolve it swiftly and should do so if possible and appropriate. Most matters can and should be resolved informally and locally.

If, for example, a person is dissatisfied with the service they have received, then in the first instance they should tell that person of their dissatisfaction. He or she should be willing to listen, to discuss the matter and seek to satisfy the concerns where justified. If a person remains unhappy, the member of staff will arrange for the concerns to be discussed with a more senior member of staff.

If following the informal process the complainant remains dissatisfied or the informal route is inappropriate, then the formal procedure should be followed.

Submission of Complaint

A formal complaint can be submitted by email or in writing. It should be sent to:

The Diocesan Secretary, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE

Email: dwhite@stalbans.anglican.org

or, in the case of a complaint against a member of the clergy under the Clergy Discipline Measure, to:

The Bishop of St Albans, Abbey Gate House, Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans AL3 4HD

Email: bishop@stalbans.anglican.org

It is our policy that we will not investigate unsubstantiated complaints.

Resolving Complaints

There may be an informal stage for complaints received against members of clergy in which the relevant Archdeacon handles a complaint and attempts to achieve resolution, providing the outcome of the complaint in writing.

Informal Stage (complaints against a member of the clergy)

INFORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS

The Archdeacon may refer any complaint to the Bishop of St Albans at any time if they believe it to be more serious than first thought or if they uncover further information that places the complaint into one of misconduct. The complainant could be someone else with proper interest, who is willing or able to make the complaint, or the Archdeacon themselves: proper interest must be evidenced.

There is no strict time limit, and it is recognised that parties may try to resolve some disagreements themselves before engaging with this process. However, complaints should not be unduly delayed, and the Archdeacon will consider at the outset whether it remains appropriate to deal with a complaint about a matter which took place more than one year earlier.

When a complainant with a proper interest makes a complaint under this procedure or where the Archdeacon thinks the procedure is appropriate, they will in the first instance encourage both parties to contact the Diocese Dispute Advisory Service if they have not already done so.

If this is not successful, then they will meet with the complainant(s). If there is only one complainant, then they should be offered the option to bring a friend or family member with them for support. The Archdeacon will hear what they have to say and ask them what resolution they are seeking.

The Archdeacon will also meet with the member of clergy about whom the complaint is made. They will seek to understand their side of events and what resolution may be possible. If no misconduct has been identified, then it will be made clear to the member of clergy that it is not a disciplinary issue.

At all meetings, Archdeacons are advised to have someone else present who is able to take notes.

The Archdeacon may make reasonable directions about how the complaint may be expressed, for example confirming a word limit for a written complaint.

The Archdeacon will seek a resolution to the complaint and offer mediation where appropriate. The outcome of the complaint will be provided in writing to both the complainant(s) and the member of clergy.

The Archdeacon’s decision is final and there is no right of appeal for either the complainant or the member of clergy.

Formal Stage

• Complaints will be acknowledged by the person handling the complaint, normally within 10 working days. The acknowledgement will say who is dealing with the complaint and when the person complaining can expect a reply.
• A suitably senior person may be appointed to investigate the facts of the case. This may involve reviewing the paperwork of the case and speaking with anyone who may have been involved in dealing with the complaint at the informal stage.
• If the complaint relates to a specific person, they should be informed and given an opportunity to respond. The person who dealt with the original complaint at the informal stage should be kept informed of what is happening where appropriate.
• In the event of a complaint against the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and or in relation to safeguarding procedures the Diocesan Secretary will arrange for the complaint to be reviewed and/or investigated by a suitably qualified and experienced member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.
• Ideally complainants should receive a definitive reply within 28 days. If this is not possible because for example, an investigation has not been fully completed, a progress report should be sent with an indication of when a full reply will be given.
• Whether the complaint is upheld or not, the reply to the complainant will describe the action taken to investigate the complaint, the conclusions from the investigation, and any action taken as a result of the complaint. Where disciplinary action is deemed appropriate, the reply to the complainant will not include details relating to individual staff member’s employment record.
• It should be recognised that in some instances people will take positions where the matter cannot be resolved. However, the aim will be to ensure that the process respects those involved and is just in providing an active concern to those who are vulnerable, marginalised or oppressed.
• The decision taken at this stage is final, unless the Bishop or the Board of Finance decides it is appropriate to seek external assistance with resolution.
• A log of the complaint will be kept.

External Stage

The complainant can complain to the Charity Commission at any stage. The Commission’s involvement in looking at complaints is limited to issues that pose a serious risk of significant harm to a charity’s beneficiaries, assets, services or reputation. Information about the kind of complaints the Commission can involve itself in can be found on their website at www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/cc47.aspx.

Variation of the Complaints Procedure

The Board may vary the procedure for good reason. This may be necessary to avoid a conflict of interest, for example, a complaint about the Chair should not also have the Chair as the person leading the formal process.

Form to Advertise Notice of APCM (word)

Form to Advertise Notice of APCM (pdf)

Form for nomination of PCC Members (word)

Form for nomination of PCC Members (pdf)

Form to Advertise Notice of Meeting of Parishioners (word)

Form to Advertise Notice of Meeting of Parishioners (pdf)

Form for Display of APCM Results (word)

Form for Display of APCM Results (pdf)

Form for Application for Enrolment on Electoral Roll (word)

Form for Application for Enrolment on Electoral Roll (pdf)

Form for Notification of Renewal of Roll (pdf)

Form for Notification of Renewal of Roll (word)

Deanery Reps 2023-2026

Deanery Synod Representative Numbers for 2023

Form to nominate Deanery Synod member (word)

Form to nominate Deanery Synod member (pdf)

PCC Member Nomination Form (Word & PDF)

Form-for-Nomination-of-PCC-Members pdf

Form-for-Nomination-of-PCC-Members word

Churchwarden Nomination Form (Word & PDF)

Form-for-Nomination-of-Churchwardens pdf

Form-for-Nomination-of-Churchwardens-1 word

Form to advise of Parish Meeting (Word & PDF)

notice-cw pdf

notice-cw word

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This  page gives details on the important changes that came into effect in May 2021 and July 2021. These changes are important to those conducting marriage services and to others involved in the administration of them. You can read some of the Frequently Asked Questions relating to these Marriage Registration changes on this page, as well as the Marriage Preliminaries.

Download FAQs

Download Evidence Checklist

Download Marriage Preliminaries

Guidance where a relevant national does not have a valid passport

Please follow the download link to view.

This Policy was introduced by the Bishop of St Albans in May 2018.

The Diocesan Whistleblowing Policy was reviewed by the Audit Committee of the DBF on 9 May 2023.

This policy applies to members of diocesan boards, committees and councils, diocesan officers and diocesan employees. It should be read in conjunction with the Diocese’s anti-bribery and conflict of interest policies.

Guidelines for the use of Social Media, 2018.

This policy was last approved in November 2025.

The Diocesan Synod approved the Race Equality Policy in June 2005.

The Diocese is opposed to racist discrimination and harassment, whether verbal, physical or attitudinal, whether intentional or inadvertent, at all levels of the church in the Diocese.

This policy was last approved in November 2023.

This policy notice summarises how the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance (SADBF), as Data Controller, uses and protects any personal information that is collected or is provided to the SADBF by you as the Data Subject, for the purposes of undertaking diocesan duties supporting the mission and ministry of the Church of England.

The General Committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance approved the Diocesan Health and Safety Policy in October 2019.

The Equal Opportunities Policy was approved by Diocesan Synod on 10 June 2010.  The Diocese has approved separate policies on Preventing Bullying & Harassment and Race Equality.

The Diocese of St Albans wholeheartedly supports the principle of equality of opportunity in employment and aims to ensure that:

• recruitment, selection, training, consideration for promotion and treatment at work for those who are employed in a paid or voluntary capacity within our organisation
• access to membership of our councils, committees and other groups
• access to benefits, facilities and services we provide

are available to all without discrimination and that no-one is disadvantaged in any of these matters by conditions or requirements that cannot be shown to be justifiable. It is recognised that there are currently some differences in conditions surrounding service between those who are lay or ordained, and also that some lay posts may nevertheless give rise to a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder has a commitment to the Christian faith. However, the Diocese will work to ensure that there is no discrimination on grounds of race, colour, nationality – including citizenship – or ethnic or national origins, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religious or political affiliation, lay or ordained status, or any other respect which cannot be shown to be a necessary requirement of the job or office concerned.

The Equal Opportunities Policy was approved by Diocesan Synod on 10 June 2010.  The Diocese has approved separate policies on Preventing Bullying & Harassment and Race Equality.

The Diocese of St Albans’ Conflict of Interests Policy was approved by the Diocesan Board of Finance on 24 February 2015 and last reviewed by the Audit Committee on 9 May 2023.

This policy applies to members of diocesan boards, committees and councils, diocesan officers and diocesan employees. It should be read in conjunction with the Diocese’s anti-bribery and whistleblowing policies.

Diocesan Synod Information Booklet.

The current version of the booklet outlining the workings of Synod which is sent to all newly elected Synod members.

The Diocesan Board of Finance Complaints Policy was approved by the DBF on 26 February 2024.

This statement was last reviewed in November 2023.