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THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Minutes of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church 2002
Sunday, 7 July 2002 Third SessionThe Moderator invited the Clerk to present the minutes of Saturday 6th July. The Assembly approved the minutes subject to minor corrections.
The Assembly Clerk explained the procedures to be followed in regard to Resolution 4.This resolution being covered by Standing Order 6a would require a 2/3rds majority in this Assembly and to be referred to the Synods before a final vote by the assembly of 2003.
The Revd Stuart Jackson, on behalf of the Synod of Wales, moved adoption of Resolution 4:
Resolution 4 Ecumenical Bishop in Wales
General Assembly endorses the resolution which has been passed by the Synod of Wales agreeing to
"take steps appropriate to our polity to bring into being an Ecumenical Bishop in Wales who shall be in full communion with us as with all other parties to the
scheme" and accepts fully the Proposal for the Appointment of an Ecumenical Bishop for Cardiff East (The Common Document). The Resolution was seconded by the Revd Alison Davis.
After discussion, Mr Alan Ireland proposed that the Resolution be not put.
This was seconded by Miss Rebecca Paine.
The Moderator declined to accept this resolution.
After further discussion, Mr Jackson responded to questions, and the Moderator called upon the Assembly to vote.
Resolution 4 was carried.
The General Secretary proposed that, in accordance with paragraph 3(1) of the Structure, Resolution 4 be referred to synods with the 24th March 2003 as the final date for responses to the General Secretary as to whether or not this variation in polity be proceeded with. This was agreed. Synod Moderators' Report
The Revd Arnold Harrison presented the report of the Synod Moderators.
The Moderator stated that the Assembly received this report with gratitude Ecumenical Committee Resolution
The Revd John Rees, on behalf of the Ecumenical Committee, moved adoption of Resolution 51:
Resolution 51 International Situation
General Assembly
(a) Welcomes the actions taken by Mission Council and others in responding to world events since 11th September 2001; (b) affirms the United Reformed Church's solidarity with partner churches and agencies around the world and our commitment to work with people of other faith communities for peace and justice in the world; After brief discussion, Mr Gareth Marshall Jones proposed an amendment that:
'in (f), delete from 'understand' and insert, 'other faiths , their cultures and traditions.'
This was seconded by Mrs Brenda Cheer
After a brief debate the General Secretary proposed that the amendment be now put.
This was seconded by the Revd Peter Brain
The Assembly agreed.
The Moderator invited the Assembly to vote on the amendment.
The amendment was not carried.
The Revd Peter Makari spoke to support the Resolution and expressed the gratitude of our American partner churches for the support and encouragement received from the United Reformed Church.
The Revd William Mahood proposed that the Resolution be now put.
This was seconded by the Revd Janet Lees.
The Assembly agreed
The Moderator called upon the Assembly to vote.
Resolution 51 was carried.
Nominations Committee
The Moderator invited the Revd Glyn Jenkins to present the report of the Nominations Committee.
Mr Jenkins moved adoption of Resolution 39:
Resolution 39 Nominations
General Assembly appoints committees and representatives of the Church as set out on pages 75 to 82 of the Book of Reports subject to the additions and corrections contained in the Supplementary Report before Assembly. There being no discussion, the Moderator put the resolution to the vote.
Resolution 39 was carried.
Mr Jenkins moved adoption of Resolution 40:
Resolution 40 Retired Ministers' Housing Sub-Committee
General Assembly agrees that those appointed to serve on the Retired
Ministers' Housing Sub-Committee shall be appointed for an initial four-year period, with the option of serving for a further two years without the need to refer back to Assembly. After discussion, the Moderator called upon the Assembly to vote.
Resolution 40 was carried.
Nominations Committee
The Revd John Reardon moved adoption of resolution 54:
Resolution 54 Honorary Assistant Treasurer
Assembly resolves to create the post of Honorary Assistant Treasurer and asks Mission Council to make an appointment to the post at its meeting in October 2002. There being no discussion, the Moderator called upon the Assembly to vote.
Resolution 54 was carried.
The Revd John Reardon moved adoption of Resolution 55:
Resolution 55 Honorary Treasurer
Assembly appoints Mr Eric Chilton as Honorary Treasurer for a 4-year period from 1 January 2003. There being no discussion, the Moderator invited the Assembly to vote.
Resolution 55 was carried.
The Moderator greeted Mr Chilton.
The Moderator thanked the retiring Convener of the Nominations Committee, the Revd Glyn Jenkins.
On behalf of the Assembly, the Moderator thanked the Revd Frank Beattie and Ms Gabrielle Cox for their work as Conveners of the Life and Witness, and Church and Society Committees respectively. Thanks to the Clerk and the Honorary Treasurer
The Moderator thereafter thanked the Assembly Clerk, Mrs Margaret Carrick Smith, and Honorary Treasurer, Mr Graham Stacy, whose terms of office were about to end. On behalf of the Assembly he presented both with gifts. The Assembly stood to applaud.
Mission Council Resolution
The Revd Adrian Bulley moved adoption of Resolution 17:
Resolution 17 Task Group on Authority
General Assembly agrees to make the following changes to the Standing Orders of the Assembly with effect from the close of the Annual meeting of the Assembly in 2002:
Alter the title of Standing Orders section 5 to read:
"Motions on Status or Closure of DebateÓ"
and add a new paragraph 5a:
"A member of Assembly may deliver to the General Secretary not less than 21 days before the date of the meeting of the Assembly a notice in writing of a motion that the General Assembly, for the better consideration of a specified resolution and its related documents, goes into a committee of the whole Assembly. For such a motion to be carried, two thirds of the votes cast must be given in its favour. Committee procedure enables members to speak more than once and exploratory votes to be taken on particular points or suggested changes. The number and length of speeches shall be at the discretion of the Moderator. After discussion in committee and decision on any proposed changes the Moderator shall declare the committee stage to be ended, and the Assembly shall proceed to hear a closing speech from the mover of the motion under discussion and proceed to a vote on the motion, subject to any further motion under Standing Order 5."
Re-number the existing paragraphs 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d as 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e respectively, and in the new 5e, amend "5a, 5b 5c" to read: "5a, 5b, 5c and 5d". (3.9.2a)
The Revd Dr Alan Spence proposed the following amendment to Resolution 17
'Replace paragraph 5a with:
The Assembly may resolve itself into a committee of the whole Assembly for the better consideration of a specified resolution and its related documents. Notice of such a motion must normally be given by a member of the Assembly to the General Secretary not less than 21 days before the date of the meeting of the Assembly and it is only carried if two thirds of the votes cast are given in its favour. While in committee the formal rules of the debate are suspended. When the Assembly resumes, the minute of the decisions made in committee is read. The motion to accept this minute will be voted on without discussion.'
The Convener of the Task Group on Authority offered to withdraw the Resolution in order that further consultation could take place. The Assembly agreed
Synod Resolution
The Revd Paul Whittle, on behalf of West Midlands Synod, moved adoption of Resolution 7:
Resolution 7 CRCW Programme
General Assembly asks the Ministries Committee to re-examine the way in which the criteria for the issue of Certificates of Eligibility to potential CRCWs are applied, to consider whether any changes are needed and to report to the Assembly. The Resolution was seconded by the Revd Dr John Campbell.
After considerable debate, Mr Whittle responded, and the Moderator called upon the Assembly to vote.
Resolution 7 was carried.
Ministries Committee
The Revd Graham Long moved adoption of resolution 37, requesting that the following portions be withdrawn:
From
"Add a new Definition 27 to read"
to
the end of 14.1.1.4
in 14.1.2 line 3, and in 20, line 2, the words in italics "or CRCW".
Resolution 37 Ministers' Pension Fund
General Assembly amends the definitions of the Rules and the Rules of the URC Ministers' Pension Fund by the deletion of the words in square brackets and the addition of the words in italics in the Rules shown, and adds an Appendix to the Rules:
Amend Definition 11 to read
11. Participating Bodies
means such United Reformed Churches or any other body admitted to membership of the Fund, and the participating body in relation to any [minister] member means that participating body he/she is serving.
Amend Rule 14.1.2 to read
14.1.2 If a contributing member serving full-time reduces his/her commitment to that of part-time service whilst under normal pension age, the Pension Trustee may raise the Pensionable Service to the level applicable to a full-time minister having regard to the length of any previous full-time service, to the age and health of the [minister] member, to the fraction of basic stipend being paid and to the purpose and pensionability of any other employment and shall in such cases allow full membership of the Pension Fund, contributions then being payable on the full basic stipend.
14.2 Every [minister] member who has ceased to be a contributing member under Rule 13.3 and who whilst under normal pension age is re-admitted to full-time or part-time service in the URC may become a contributory member of the Fund as is provided in the previous Rule. At the time of re-admission the Pension Trustee shall have discretion to aggregate for the purposes of Rules 18-23 that [minister's] member's previous period or periods of membership with the [minister's] member's latest period of membership PROVIDED that the [minister] member waives his/her right to any deferred pension and surviving spouses pension under Rule 29 in respect of such previous period or periods of membership and repays to the Fund an amount equal to the sum of Add a new Rule 17.4 to read
17.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Fund documentation the options in Parts I, II and III of Appendix XII dated 08/2001 of the Inland Revenue document IR 12 (2001) may be applied to the benefits of Fund members with the consent of the Pension Trustee.
Amend the first paragraph of Rule 20 to read
20. Ill-health Retirement
In the event that a member retires before normal pension age on account of incapacity to undertake the duties of a stipendiary minister due to ill-health duly certified to the satisfaction of the Pension Trustee, he/she shall be entitled to an immediate pension which shall be calculated as provided in Rule 18 but with the substitution of the date of retirement for the attainment of normal pension age provided always that when the period of pensionable service completed up to the date of retirement is less than twenty years, the amount of pension will be calculated on the basis of:
Add a new Rule 30.4 to read
30.4 Following receipt of a Pension Sharing Order pursuant to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 the Pension Trustee will transfer the defined proportion of the value of a member's pension benefit to an appropriate policy with an insurer of the Ex-spouse's choosing. If not chosen by the Ex-spouse within the specified period, the default option of the Pension Trustee arranging an appropriate policy with an insurer will operate. Appendix 1 hereto contains provisions relating to Pension Sharing under the said Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.
Add an Appendix to the Rules to read
Appendix 1 - Pension Sharing On Divorce
Rule 1
"Insurance Company" is as defined in Section 659B of the 1988 Act.
"Negative Deferred Pension" means the amount by which the member's pension or deferred pension under the Fund which arose/arises from service with the URC is reduced at the Relevant Date by s.31 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 following a Pension Sharing Order, agreement or equivalent provision. For this purpose, service with the URC includes all periods of service with other employers which have been treated as if they were service with the URC where a transfer payment has been made to the Fund in respect of that other service.
"Pension Credit" means a credit under s.29(1)(b), Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.
"Pension Credit Benefit" in relation to a Fund, means the benefits payable under the Fund to or in respect of a person by virtue of rights under the Fund attributable (directly or indirectly) to a Pension Credit. "Pension Credit Rights" means right to future benefits under a Fund which are attributable (directly or indirectly) to a Pension Credit.
"Pension Debit" means a debit under s.29(1)(a) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.
"Pension Debit member" means a member whose benefits have been permanently reduced by a Pension Debit. Such a member will either be:-
(ii) a member whose earnings at the date at which his/her marriage was dissolved or annulled exceeded 1/4 of the Permitted Maximum for the year of assessment in which the dissolution or annulment occurred. Earnings for these purposes shall be taken to be the total emoluments -
(a) which were paid to the member in consequence of Pensionable Service to which the Fund relates during the year of assessment before the year of assessment in which the marriage was dissolved or annulled, and
(b) from which tax was deducted in accordance with the Income Tax (Employments) Regulations 1993.
"Pension Sharing Order" means any order or provision as is mentioned in s.28(1) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.
Rule 2
Rule 30 is amended by the insertion of Rule 30.4, to permit the assignment as therein provided of part or all of the member's retirement benefits or rights to benefits under the Fund to his/her Ex-spouse to the extent necessary to comply with a Pension Sharing Order, agreement or equivalent provision.
Rule 3
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Rules, the benefits for a Pension Debit member are additionally subject to the following limits, subject to compliance with Social Security legislation:
(i) The pension shall not exceed the Aggregate Retirement Benefit in Part 1 of the Schedule less the Negative Deferred Pension in this Fund and the Negative Deferred Pension in any Associated Scheme and, furthermore in the case of a Class A member the Negative Deferred Pension in any Connected Scheme.
(a) for Pension Debit members who are Class A members or Class B members, an amount determined by 2.25 x the initial annual pension payable;
(b) for Pension Debit members who are Class C members, an amount of the greater of:
(I) 2.25 x the initial annual pension payable or,
(II) an amount determined in accordance with Part I of the Schedule as if there had been no Pension Debit, less 2.25 x the Negative Deferred Pension.
For the purposes of this Rule, the initial annual pension should be calculated on the following bases: (aa) if the pension payable for the year changes, the initial pension payable should be taken;
(bb) it should be assumed that the Pension Debit member will survive for a year;
(cc) the effect of commutation should be ignored.
(iii) On the death of the Pension Debit member, any pension for a Dependant shall not exceed 2/3 x an amount determined in accordance with Part 4 of the Schedule as if there had been no Pension Debit, less the Negative Deferred Pension and the Negative Deferred Pension in any Associated Scheme and, furthermore in the case of a Class A member the Negative Deferred Pension in any Connected Scheme. Where more than one pension is to be paid the total of all the pensions cannot exceed 100% of an amount determined in accordance with Part 4 of the Schedule as if there had been no Pension Debit, less the Negative Deferred Pension and the Negative Deferred Pension in any Associated Scheme and, furthermore in the case of a Class A member the Negative Deferred Pension in any Connected Scheme.
Rule 4
The Pension Trustee must give full details of the Pension Debit and a lump sum certificate specifying the maximum permissible lump sum, to the receiving scheme/arrangement where the fund underlying the benefits for a Pension Debit member is transferred to another retirement benefits scheme approved under Chapter I Part XIV of the 1988 Act or a scheme approved under Chapter IV Part XIV of the 1988 Act.
Rule 5
Where the Pension Trustee accepts a transfer payment and is informed by the transferor of the details of a Pension Debit relating to the transfer payment, the Pension Trustee must take account of the Pension Debit, if appropriate, in the calculation of any limit on benefits for that member. If a transfer of the fund underlying the benefits for the member is made to a scheme approved under Chapter I Part XIV of the 1988 Act or a scheme approved under Chapter IV Part XIV of the 1988 Act, the Pension Trustee must give full details of the Pension Debit to the receiving scheme/arrangement.
Rule 6
If the Ex-spouse dies after a Pension Sharing Order, agreement or equivalent provision is made but before it is acted upon by the Pension Trustee, the following benefits may be paid:
A lump sum death benefit may be paid to any person at the discretion of the Pension Trustee.
The lump sum is limited to 25% of what would have been the cash equivalent of the fund which would have provided the Pension Credit Rights for the Ex-Spouse. The balance of the fund may be used to provide a non-commutable pension to a Dependant of the Ex-Spouse. The amount of pension payable to a Dependant is limited to a maximum of 2/3rds of the amount of pension that could have been paid to the Ex-Spouse at the date of death if the whole of what would have been the cash equivalent of the fund which would have provided the Pension Credit Rights had been used to purchase an annuity at an available market rate. Where more than one pension is to be paid the total of the pensions cannot exceed the amount of pension that could have been paid to the Ex-Spouse.
Such pensions must be payable for life, except that any pension paid to children must cease on the attainment of age 18 or, if later on the cessation of full time education. Such pensions may be fully commuted, however, for a lump sum on the grounds of triviality at the time such a pension becomes payable. There being no discussion, the Moderator called for the Assembly to vote.
Resolution 37 in its altered form was carried.
Mission Council Resolution
The Revd Elizabeth Welch moved adoption of Resolution 20:
Resolution 20 Visit to the Northern Synod Assembly notes that the visit to the Northern Synod, agreed in 1998, has been completed; thanks the visitors for their work; commends the report to the continuing attention of the Synod; but resolves not to initiate further synod visits at the present time. The Revd Peter Poulter proposed the following amendment:
Delete final clause and replace with, 'and encourages other synods to engage in the process'.
After brief discussion, the Moderator invited the Assembly to vote on the amendment.
The amendment was not carried.
The Revd Terry Oakley moved that decision on this motion be deferred to the next Assembly.
This was seconded by Mrs Muriel Garrow.
The Moderator declined to accept this motion.
The Revd Dr David Thompson proposed the deletion of the final clause.
This was seconded by the Revd Peter Poulter.
Assembly agreed
The Moderator invited the Assembly to vote on the amended resolution
Resolution 20, as amended, was carried.
Resolution 20 Visit to the Northern Synod
Assembly notes that the visit to the Northern Synod, agreed in 1998, has been completed; thanks the visitors for their work; commends the report to the continuing attention of the Synod.
Youth and Children's Work
Revd Elizabeth Caswell moved adoption of Resolution 48:
Resolution 48 Youth and Children's Work Training Programme
General Assembly affirms the continuation of the Youth and Children's Work Training programme, with an increasing emphasis on development. There being no discussion, the Moderator called upon the Assembly to vote.
Resolution 48 was carried.
Revd Kathryn Price moved adoption of Resolution 41b. In doing so, she thanked the Convener of the Review Group, the Revd Elizabeth Caswell.
Resolution 41(b) Policy for youth and children's work
General Assembly Miss Alison Marshall proposed the following amendment:
Insert the words "using them to develop a national strategy from which a" instead of "developing them as a"
and then "can be created" after "United Reformed Church"
The amendment was seconded by Mr Graham Rolfe.
After discussion, the Moderator invited the Assembly to vote on the amendment.
The amendment was not carried.
The General Secretary moved that the resolution be now put.
This was seconded by Mr Jonathan Price.
Assembly agreed
The Convener of the Youth and Children's Work Committee responded, during which response in reply to a question from the Revd Stephen Thornton she indicated that it was her understanding that the terms of the resolution would permit development and change to the recommendations contained in the report, and further that there was no intention to alter the role or title of the "Children's Advocate", In light of these assurances, the Moderator called upon the Assembly to vote
Resolution 41b was carried.
The Moderator expressed the thanks of the Assembly to the Review Group and to the members and staff of the Youth and Children's Work committee. Retirement of the Deputy General Secretary
The Revd Elizabeth Welch took the Chair and the Assembly joined in offering thanks and good wishes to the Revd John Waller on his retirement from the post of Deputy General Secretary.
After worship led by the Chaplain, the Assembly adjourned.
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Dates of Sessions
Thursday 4 July 2002 First Session
Friday 5 July 2002 First Session
Friday 5 July 2002 Second Session
Saturday 6 July 2002 First Session
Saturday 6 July 2002 Second Session
Sunday 7 July 2002 First Session
Sunday 7 July 2002 Second Session |