Codes of Conduct

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is the body that, with the minister, steers the life of the church in its mission, witness and service in the parish.

The PCC’s role is governed by law (the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956). It is a charitable trust and PCC members are charitable trustees, and so all the provisions of charity law apply to their corporate responsibilities, financial management and decision making. This is true, whether or not the charity is registered with the Charity Commissioners.

You cannot be a PCC member if by law you are not permitted to be a trustee.

It is recognised that the role of a PCC member is a voluntary one. However, it also must be recognised that by becoming a member of the PCC, parishioners agree to be bound by church regulations as well as acting in such roles as charitable trustees and employers. It is therefore important for proper standards of conduct to be set in the best interests of PCC members themselves and in the best interests of third parties such as charitable beneficiaries and employees.

These Codes of Conduct and volunteer agreements seek to strike a balance between the voluntary nature of the role of PCC member and the more formal requirements and duties.