Presbytery of Sydney

GUIDELINES FOR THE PROPERTY

Presbytery of Sydney

(Approved April 1998)

1.         MEMBERSHIP

The Presbytery shall appoint a Property and Finance Committee with a membership consisting of:

1.1       10 persons elected by the Presbytery. Each year Presbytery shall elect 5 persons for two years;

1.2       the Presbytery Chairperson, Presbytery Secretary, and Presbytery Treasurer, ex officio;

1.3       the Committee may act notwithstanding any vacancies within its membership. Vacancies may be filled by the Standing Committee appointing a person/s who may be nominated by the Property Committee.

1.4       Co-options

The Committee may co-opt two (2) additional persons who will have full membership rights. Co-option will be for a one (1) year term  and shall be of people who have special skills relevant to the Committee’s area of responsibility.

1.5       Loss of Membership

A member of the Committee will cease to hold office in the event of any of the following occurring:

1.5.1    the member resigns or dies;

1.5.2    the member fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings of the Committee unless the Committee grants leave of absence from those meetings.

2.         EXPECTATIONS

The Committee members shall expected to:

2.1       take part in congregational/presbytery consultations as requested by the Pastoral Relations Committee

2.2       participate in the inspection of properties for which the Presbytery, Church Councils and other bodies within the bounds of the Presbytery are responsible.

2.3       participate in the review of proposals affecting the management of church property and finances.

3.         PROCEDURES

3.1       Chairperson

The Presbytery will choose annually from amongst the members of the Committee a Chairperson for the Committee.

3.2       Secretary

The Committee will choose annually from amongst its members a Secretary.

3.3       Meetings

The Committee shall meet:

3.3.1    monthly in the week prior to the monthly meeting of the Synod Property Board. The dates will be notified to, and approved by, the Presbytery.

3.3.2    when convened by the Secretary as required by the Presbytery Chairperson, or the Committee Chairperson to deal with any business which shall be specified in the Notice convening the meeting.

3.4       Quorum

A Quorum for meetings shall be five (5) members

3.5       Other Office Bearers

Any casual or temporary vacancy in the Office Bearers of the Committee may be filled by the Committee. Any additional Office Bearers required by the Committee to perform its duties may be appointed by the Committee.

3.6       Delegation

The Committee may delegate it authority to its officers or a sub committee of its members in respect of a particular matter. Where urgent approvals are required then the Committee Chairperson and Secretary with the approval of the Presbytery Chairperson may act for the Committee.  Such approvals shall be recorded in the minutes of the next meeting.

3.7       Business

Congregations and other relevant bodies will be required to forward all details and documentation which  need the Committee’s approval, one week before the rostered meeting date, to the Committee Secretary.

3.8       Conflict of Interest

No member of the Committee will participate in the deliberations upon or determination of a matter before the committee in which they or their congregation has a material interest.

4.         RESPONSIBILITIES

The Committee, subject to any relevant by-laws and directions of the Presbytery, shall:

4.1       advise Church Councils and other bodies within the bounds of the Presbytery with respect to finance and property matters for which they are responsible;

4.2       receive and consider applications from Church Councils and other bodies within the bounds of the Presbytery with respect to finance and property matters as provided by these guidelines having  regard to:

*          the mission of the Church within the bounds of the Presbytery

*          the policies of the Synod and the Presbytery

*          financial feasibility-in areas of church income/expenditure/property

*          design and location

*          any other relevant matter/s

4.3       submit proposals from any Church Council or other body within the bounds of the Presbytery to the Synod Property Board with recommendations for final decision;

4.4       initiate proposals in regard to property matters within the bounds of the Presbytery;

4.5       regularly inspect or arrange for regular   inspection of properties for which the Presbytery and other councils and bodies within the bounds of the Presbytery are responsible and propose and report to Presbytery such action as may seem desirable to ensure that the properties are maintained in good and safe condition.

4.6       make a written report to Presbytery meetings  through the Standing Committee.

(Approved April 1998)