Private Members' Motions

Private Members' Motions (PMMs) are one of a number of ways that debates can be brought to the attention of the General Synod. Private Members Motions fall under Special Agenda III. The other Special Agendas include Legislative Business (Special Agenda I), Liturgical Business (Special Agenda II), and Diocesan Synod Motions (Special Agenda IV).

Any member of the General Synod can write and submit a PMM. In order to decide whether a PMM should be put on the General Synod's agenda, the Business Committee requires a minimum of 100 expressions of interest in support for the motion to be debated in the form of signatures. By putting their name to particular motions, members are signalling that they think they should be debated. Information on how Synod members can sign PMMs can be found on the Members' Resources page.

When putting together the agenda for the next meeting of the Synod, the Business Committee considers the number of signatures each motion has received. Generally there is only space for one or two PMMs for debate in each meeting of the General Synod (group of sessions). While the motion with the most signatures is often the one selected, another may be selected if it has attracted considerable support (it might, for example, be more time-critical).

A motion that has been open for signature for three groups of sessions expires if it has not attracted 100 signatures.

Listed below are the current Private Members' Motions. These can be signed electronically by using the webform below, emailing [email protected] or via the General Synod app.

Current Private Members' Motions

Inquiry into allegations of abuse within the Soul Survivor network

The Revd Robert Thompson (London) to move:

‘That this Synod, being deeply disquieted at the continued controversies over the actual independence of Safeguarding structures within the Church of England, does not accept that an internal Church inquiry into the allegations of abuse and cover-up within the Soul Survivor network is either sufficient or right in principle.

It accordingly calls upon the Archbishop’s Council to commission, on agreed terms of reference with survivors, a report into those allegations from an independent King’s Counsel without delay.’

143 signatures as at 15 September 2023 (see list of signatures)

LGBTQIA+ and relationship education

Mr Sam Wilson (Chester) to move:

‘That this Synod:

recognise the importance of including age-appropriate LGBTQIA+ content in relationship education
commend the use of 'Valuing All God's Children' to all Church of England schools in order to help combat anti-LGBTQIA+ bullying
thank the teachers and staff who help to create welcoming and inclusive environments for all pupils, especially those who do so with personal sacrifice as LGBTQIA+ role models.’

102 signatures as at 15 September 2023 (see list of signatures)

Vocations process and issues in human sexuality

Revd Mae Christie (Southwark) to move:

'That this Synod request that the House of Bishops remove any requirements relating to Issues in Human Sexuality from the Vocations (Shared Discernment) Process.'

136 signatures as at 15 September 2023 (see list of signatures)

Support a debate

By filling in and submitting the following form, Synod members are including his or her name on the list of members who support a debate on the selected PMM.

First name

Last name

Synod number

Email address

ZIP/Postal Code

I confirm that I am the person listed above.

PMM to be signed