Report from Diocesan Synod

Members of Diocesan Synod gathered on Saturday 10 October Christ the King in Kettering and we are
grateful to them for the use of their Church building. The agenda included diocesan finances, children
and young people, Anna Chaplaincy, governance and updates from General Synod and the Diocesan
Board of Education.

Bishop Debbie opened the meeting in prayer, reflecting on the words from Joshua, “Sanctify
yourselves.” She invited members to consider how all that we do can draw us closer to God, setting the
tone for the conversations and decisions that followed.

She then introduced Bishop Alex, who was welcomed most enthusiastically by Synod members. In
conversation together, Bishop Debbie gave Synod an opportunity to get to know him better as she
encouraged him to speak about his faith, ministry and family.

Alice Cooper, the new Chair of the Peterborough Diocesan Board of Finance (PDBF), introduced herself
and her role. She explained how the new aligned governance arrangements will help connect the
Diocese’s finances and operations more closely with its vision and mission.

Alice went on to introduce the 2025 Annual Report and Accounts. Synod heard openly about the
financial challenges facing the Diocese and the need to move towards a more sustainable position. The
structural deficit between operating income and expenditure has built up over many years. Our healthy investment reserves have protected us from focussing on this as an urgent issue to
resolve, but it needs to be a key area of focus now.

Therefore, a longer-term financial plan, to be properly aligned with the Diocese Vision and Strategy is
being considered at present, and it is our aim that this is completed during the first half of 2027 in time
for the next budget cycle.

Members welcomed the clarity of the presentation and discussed how the Diocese could help parishes
better understand the cost of supporting ministry.

The conversation focused on encouraging generosity through the new Common Fund, making the best
use of property, land and investments within ethical considerations, and ensuring resources are
increasingly aligned with the Diocese’s vision and mission.

Russ Beese, Diocesan Secretary, spoke about the considerable work that had gone into preparing the
2027 budget, including greater engagement with staff teams and careful scrutiny of spending. Alice
described the task ahead as “turning the tanker”, balancing honesty about the challenges with faith and
optimism for the future.

Members discussed how the Diocese can continue to improve its finances, alongside the importance of
open communication with parishes, strengthening the voice of deaneries in future budget
conversations and sharing more clearly how diocesan resources support mission and ministry. Synod
then voted in favour of the 2027 budget.

Attention then turned to ministry among children and young people, with Chad Chadwick, Children
and Youth Team Lead, and Corinne Stefanowicz, Children and Youth Parish Support Worker sharing
the importance of investing in younger generations and speaking powerfully about the impact of this
ministry throughout their time in the Diocese.

Liz Kelly, Diocesan Lead for Anna Chaplaincy, introduced members to this growing ministry and
shared how parishes can become involved. Anna Chaplains can be lay or ordained, voluntary or paid,
and are part of a wider network offering training, resources and encouragement for ministry with
older people.

Chris Banks then introduced the Dean of Peterborough, Chris Dalliston, who gave an update from the
latest meeting of General Synod. Russ Beese also shared information about the current General Synod
election and the next Diocesan Synod triennium elections, which will begin on 1 August 2027.

Bishop Alex gave an update on the Diocesan Board of Education, including the ongoing review of its
legal position and governance arrangements.

After lunch, Chris Banks, Chair of the House of Laity, introduced an update on the Diocese’s governance
review. Members heard how the new arrangements aim to make diocesan governance simpler, clearer
and more closely aligned with the Diocese’s vision and use of resources.

In table discussions, members considered how more people might be encouraged to serve on the new
Diocesan Council and its sub-committees, particularly how these groups could become more
representative and include more younger people.

Russ Beese then moved a motion relating to the Parsonages Board Scheme and Houses Committee
terms of reference, bringing to a close a day of prayerful conversation, honest reflection and shared
hope for the Diocese’s future.

The next meeting of Diocesan Synod will be on Saturday 20 March 2027 at Christ the King,
Kettering.

Revd Allison Twigg, Chair of the House of Clergy

Chris Banks, Chair of the House of Laity