National Church Governance Programme

In 2020, the Church of England began a journey to simplify and transform the governance structures at the heart of the National Church into ones that can better serve, support, encourage and enable the work and mission of the Church. In July 2024, the National Church Governance Programme Board (NCGPB) began the legal process to enable the changes of governance and since then, General Synod has been working to revise and improve the proposals. This short video sets out the key changes proposed.

In July 2023, General Synod welcomed the report GS 2307 and approved the implementation of recommendations to simplify and transform the governance of the National Church, subject to a couple of amendments to improve the engagement between Synod and the National Church Institutions.

Draft legislation to implement the proposals was introduced at General Synod in July 2024 with the support of the existing trustee bodies to what was being proposed. Since then, members of Synod have been involved in the detailed work of a Revision Committee considering each clause and improving how the legislation is shaped. This process has involved considering over 450 proposals for amendment. At the centre of the work has been a commitment to help rebuild trust by ensuring that the proposed reforms deliver greater transparency, accountability and effectiveness at a National Church level.

In February 2025, the General Synod will consider the work of the Revision Committee and will go through the draft legislation clause by clause to confirm or amend the work that has been done.

The documents which are being brought to the February 2025 Synod include:

Supporting Documents

The Governance Programme Team have prepared some supporting documents to assist members of the General Synod in their consideration of the Measure and provide some wider background to the proposals.

A Short Summary Guide to the Revised Draft Measure 

Note of explanation about the draft Measure and General Synod Standing Orders 

An Analysis of the Proposals for Amendment from Synod Members by Clause

Chapter 3 from the paper GS Misc 910 The Governance of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion 

Further background material

The draft Measure in the form originally introduced in July 2024 was set out in GS 2360 and may be viewed here.

The proposals were first welcomed at the General Synod in July 2023. The report and recommendations are available here: GS 2307 National Church Governance Report and Recommendations.

Previous reports and other supporting and background information can be found on this page: National Church Governance Project - Supporting Documents.

The Membership of the Programme Board under the Chair of Sir David Lidington, has been refreshed to ensure oversight of the implementation of the proposal.

Please send any comments or questions to [email protected].