Organisation and governance
The Church Commissioners are accountable to the General Synod
and to Parliament. Annual reports are submitted to both, and the
Church Commissioners answer questions about their work. The
Commissioners also have from 2010 a line of accountability to the
Charity Commission. The Commissioners' work is governed by the
Church Commissioners Measure 1947 (as amended).
Who are the Church Commissioners?
The 33 Church
Commissioners are:
- the two archbishops;
- three Church Estates Commissioners, who represent the Church
Commissioners in the General Synod and (Second Commissioner) in
Parliament;
- eleven people elected from General Synod: four bishops, three
clergy, four lay people;
- two cathedral deans;
- nine people appointed by the Crown and the archbishops;
- six holders of State office: the Prime Minister, the
Lord Chancellor, the Lord President of the Council, the Lord
Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport,
and the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Overall policy is directed by the Board of Governors. All
Commissioners except the six State office holders are members. It
is supported by six committees:
The Commissioners directly employ an administrative staff of
around 80. Further administrative support such as legal and office
services and IT is provided through the Archbishops' Council for
all the central church bodies.