Parish Pastoral Council
Constitution

 
 1. The council will be known as St. Peter’s Parish Pastoral Council.
 
 2. The purpose of the council will be:
    a) To provide the opportunity whereby the laity, religious and clergy meet to share
        the responsibility of the whole parish life and of the whole community by:
    (i)   Discerning the needs of parish and community;
    (ii)  Co-ordinating activities of parish groups;
    (iii) Endeavouring to involve the whole of the parish in the work of the Church     
          in response to the present and future needs;
    (iv) Being a means of fostering a sense of community in the parish;
    (v)  Being a vehicle for communication between the parish and diocesan
          bodies including the diocesan pastoral council;
    (vi) Planning, implementing and evaluating projects.

 3. The council will consist of:
   a) Ex-officio members, namely, the clergy and religious actively engaged in the
       parish;
   b) One representative from each of the groups/organisations actively engaged in  
       the parish;
   c) A number chosen by the Parish Priest because of particular expertise helpful to
       the council;
   d) A number appointed by the council because of special talents or special needs.
   e) Council members are appointed for one year, renewed annually.
 
 4. Council procedure:
   a) The council will meet at such time as the council from time to time appoints, and at
       least once in every two months. (Third Wednesday)
   b) Each council meeting will last for not more than two hours, unless the council decides
       on an extension of time. (7-9pm)
   c) The council will elect from its members an executive committee (of, five members) for
       one year, renewed annually.
   d) The committee’s duties will include arranging and chairing meetings, keeping minutes
       and records, receiving, ordering and distributing agenda items and reports, informing
       parishioners of the council’s activities, liaising with other bodies, where this is
       appropriate.
   e) The council will cause minutes to be taken at each council meeting, and will require
        these minutes to be confirmed at the subsequent meeting.
   f)  A report of council proceedings will be made to the parishioners as soon as
        practicable (e.g. through the website, the newsletter, the noticeboard.)
   g) The council will have power to appoint committees at such times and for such
       purposes as it deems fit. The council will have the power to co-opt members other
       than the council members to serve on such committees, and may delegate the power
       to co-opt to these committees.
   h) A majority of members attending meetings would constitute a quorum.
 
 5. Council members may, with the approval of the council be reimbursed from
     parish funds for any expenses incurred while on council business.
 
 6. The Annual General Meeting:
   a) An annual general meeting will be held in November each year and will be open for
       any parishioner wishing to attend as an observer.
       (i)  A full report from the parish council will be given at the Annual General Meeting;
       (ii) It will consider any other matter for which not less than seven days’ notice has
            been given to the parishioners;
   b) Parishioners wishing to have any matter considered at the annual general meeting
       will be required to submit such a matter in writing to the secretary of the council not
       less than twenty-one days before the annual general meeting.
   c) Advance notice of the annual general meeting will be not less than 28 days and will
       be given in the parish newsletter, the website, from the pulpit, and on the
       noticeboard.
 
 7. The Constitution of the council can be changed only at the annual general 
     meeting with at least two-thirds of those present at the annual general
     meeting who are eligible to vote agree to such a change.