The term of office of the current Diocesan Synod ends on 31 July 2015. Therefore Derby Diocese must elect a new Diocesan Synod from its clergy and church members. The electors are members (other than currently co-opted members) of the House of Clergy and the House of Laity of the Deanery Synods of the Diocese. The rules state that the electors are defined at 6.00am on the date on which the nominations papers are issued locally by the Deanery.
Elections to the new Diocesan Synod will be carried out during the period May to July 2015 to a timetable fixed by the Bishop in accordance with Church Representation Rule 32(1). The new Diocesan Synod will take office on 1 August 2015 and the first meeting of the new Diocesan Synod will be on 17 October 2015.
The Bishop, in accordance with Rule 32(2) has appointed the Rural Deans to be the Presiding Officers for elections by the House of Laity of Deanery Synods and the Lay Chairs to be the Presiding Officers for elections by the House of Clergy of Deanery Synods.
Nominations
A Notice of Election must be sent to every qualified elector, together with a nomination form. Every candidate may be nominated and seconded by qualified electors and every candidate must express with their signature, their willingness to serve, if elected. Opportunity is provided for a candidate, if he or she so desires, to set out in 100 words or fewer, a factual statement, such as professional qualifications, present office of relevant experience, for circulation with the voting papers.
Nomination Forms will be posted to all electors on 14 May 2015. Nomination Forms will be sent by post on the same day in order that every elector is treated equally.
Valid paper copies of Nomination Forms must be returned by mid-day on 5 June which is the closing date for nominations.
If nominations are received, which are equal to or less than the number to be elected, then these persons will be elected and notified accordingly. If there are less than the number of people to be elected then the remaining places are treated as casual vacancies and are then filled by the House of Clergy or the House of Laity by a method to be decided by them in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. This process is the responsibility of the Chair of the appropriate House.
Voting Papers
If there are more nominations than there are places to fill, then an election will be organised. A voting paper must be circulated to every qualifying elector by post no later than 12 June 2015 and these have to be returned by mid-day on 3 July. The completed voting paper must be signed by the elector, together with their full name written on the reverse of the form in order to be valid. Candidates will be notified of the result. In the event of equality of votes, the decision shall be taken by lot by the Presiding Officer.
TIMELINE
14 May 2015 Each Deanery issues Notice of Election and Nomination Papers
5 June 2015 Closing date for nominations
19 June 2015 Deanery issues voting papers (if elections are required)
3 July 2015 Closing date for voting
10 July 2015 Deanery presiding officers inform Diocesan Secretary, Deanery Synod Secretaries and candidates of election results and of Diocesan Synod Members
15 July 2015 Diocesan Synod Elections must be complete
1 August 2015 Members of the new Diocesan Synod hold office from this date
17 October 2015 First meeting of the new Diocesan Synod
NUMBERS TO BE ELECTED
DEANERY Clergy Laity
Alfreton 3 3
Bakewell and Eyam 4 5
Bolsover & Staveley 3 4
Buxton 3 2
Chesterfield 8 8
Glossop 2 3
Wirksworth 2 3
Ashbourne 2 3
Derby North 6 4
Derby South 5 4
Duffield 3 5
Heanor 2 2
Erewash 5 6
Longford 2 2
Melbourne 3 3
Repton 3 4
