Yorkshire Dioceses Review

Yorkshire Dioceses Review

In the autumn of 2009 the Commission commenced a review of the five Yorkshire dioceses (Bradford, Ripon and Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield and York). The aim was to establish whether the shape and boundaries of the existing dioceses tend to facilitate the Church's mission to the people and communities of Yorkshire or whether different structures would enable the Church to relate to them more effectively.

Following extensive consultation the Commission decided to proceed with a reorganisation scheme bringing together the dioceses of Bradford, Ripon & Leeds and Wakefield. The final version of this draft scheme was considered by the diocesan synods of the diocese affected between February and April 2013. It was stongly supported in all the dioceses, except Wakefield.


On 9 May 2013 the Archbishop of York exercised his statutory role in authorising the Commission to lay the draft scheme before the General Synod. The General Synod will therefore be considering the scheme.  

Key documents relating to the scheme are:

The Archbishop of York's Statement of 9 May 2013

http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2895/diocesan-reorganisation-to-be-referred-to-general-synod


Statement by the Chair of the Commission of 9 May 2013

http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2013/05/statement-from-dioceses-commission.aspx

The documents issued to diocesan synods in October 2012

Summary

The Commission's Report- 'Moving towards a new diocese for West Yorkshire and the Dales' [YDCR 5]

Mission document [YDCR 6]

Draft Scheme [YDCR 7]

Explanatory memo [YDCR 8]

Financial estimate [YDCR 9] 

Q&As (October 2012)

Pastoral letter for parishes (October 2012)

PAST PAPERS

The October 2011 Consultation Documents

The October 2011 Report 'A New Diocese for West Yorkshire and the Dales' [click to view YDCR1] - containing a statement of the effect of the proposals, if implemented, on the mission of the Church of England

The draft scheme [click to view YDCR2] - with an explanatory memorandum [click to view YDCR3] that explains the content of the draft scheme

Financial Estimate [click to view YDCR4] - a detailed estimate of the financial effect of the proposals

Click to view Executive Summary

Click to view FAQs

Initial Report

The Commission's report on the Dioceses of Bradford, Ripon and Leeds, Sheffield and Wakefield, and their boundaries with the Diocese of York, was published and sent out for consultation in December 2010. The consultation period concluded on 9 May 2011.

A 16 page Guide to the Report, containing a brief overview of each chapter, together with the Summary of Recommendations and Conclusion, is available by clicking download.

For the full Report (127 pages), or to download individual chapters see The Report page in Related Links on the right hand side of this page or by clicking download.

Progress Report

The July 2011 Progress Report is available to download by clicking here.

A background note on Cathedrals in the new Diocese, prepared as a basis for further discussion, is available by clicking here.