15/02/2017
CREATION OF SUFFRAGAN SEE FOR THE DIOCESE OF LEICESTER (GS 2052)
Synod approved a motion moved by the Bishop of Leicester to request HM The Queen to create a new Suffragan See of Loughborough.
APPOINTMENT TO THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL ( GS 2053)
Synod approved the appointment of Mark Sheard as a member of Archbishops' Council
LONDON DIOCESAN SYNOD MOTION: FIXED ODDS BETTING TERMINALS: REDUCTION OF MAXIMUM STAKE ( GS 2054A AND GS 2054B)
Synod passed the motion moved on behalf of the London Diocesan Synod, after having accepted all the amendments to the motion moved by the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Alan Smith. The motion in its amended form read:
'That this Synod, mindful of
(a) the destructive impact which accessible, high-stake machine gambling can have on families and whole communities and
(b) the widespread public concern about the very large amounts being wagered at fixed odds betting terminals located in high street betting shops,
welcome Her Majesty's Government's review of the maximum stake for such terminals and call on Her Majesty's Government as a matter of urgency to bring forward proposals
(i) for the amendment of existing legislation to reduce from £100 to £2 the maximum amount which may be wagered on a single game at such terminals and
(ii) to grant local authorities the power to make provision about the number and location of such terminals
in order to reduce the risk of harm to large numbers of vulnerable people.'
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
DRAFT AMENDING CANON NO.38 ( GS 2047)
Synod agreed that the draft Amending Canon be referred for revision in committee
DRAFT AMENDING CANON NO. 36 ( GS 2029A)
Synod completed the revision stage for draft Amending Canon No 36.
DRAFT AMENDING CANON NO. 37 ( GS 2029AA)
Synod completed the revision stage for draft Amending Canon No 37.
MARRIAGE AND SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS AFTER THE SHARED CONVERSATIONS: INTRODUCTION BY THE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR OF THE BISHOPS' REFLECTION GROUP ON SEXUALITY
Synod received a presentation by the Bishop of Norwich and the Bishop of Willesden.
Group Work took place under the St Michael's House protocols
MARRIAGE AND SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS AFTER THE SHARED CONVERSATIONS: A REPORT FROM THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS ( GS 2055)
The Bishop of Norwich moved: 'That the Synod do take note of this Report.'
The motion was lost after a counted vote by Houses. The House of Bishops voted 43 in favour and 1 against, the House of Clergy voted 93 in favour and 100 against with 2 abstentions. The House of Laity voted 106 in favour and 83 against with 4 abstentions.
These brief summaries are offered primarily for reference while the General Synod is in session. The formal record of the Synod's business at each sitting during the July 2016 group of sessions can be found in the 'Business Done' section (available online once published after the Synod concludes its business), which offers a fuller picture of the Synod's business.