Synod sets out developing Vision, Governance Reform and Safeguarding Progress

Peterborough Diocesan Synod met for its Spring Session on Saturday 14 March 2026 at Bishop Stopford School, Kettering, opening with worship led by Towcester Deanery before turning to a full agenda shaped by vision, governance and safeguarding. 

In her Presidential Address, Bishop Debbie Sellin welcomed the new Diocesan Secretary, Russ Beese, and reflected on her first two years in the Diocese; years she described as ‘full of joy,’ shaped by encounters across parishes, deaneries, chaplaincies and civic life.
She introduced the emerging Diocesan Vision, having first used the Church of England vision and strategy as an indicator of how it could be structured, using three themes:

Raise – Release – Renew
These themes help give shape to the Diocese’s priorities and Bishop Debbie emphasised how the vision and the strategy needed to be developed together, reflecting and enhancing what God was already doing. She outlined five proposed bold outcomes under these headlines:

Raise

• Double the number of children and young people in churches
• Double the number of lay and ordained vocations

Release

• Strengthen deaneries for collaborative working
• Create 120 new, sustainable worshipping communities

Renew

• Establish financially and practically sustainable ministry models across the Diocese

The next stage will be developing the detailed strategy to deliver these outcomes. This could involve:

• Encouraging and resourcing new forms of worshipping communities
• Developing clear models of ministry fit for the future
• Equipping the whole church through a suite of training and resources
• Releasing clergy capacity and strengthen deaneries
• Actioning the wellbeing programme
• Embedding the governance review and finance strategy

Bishop Debbie has seen that many people already feel resonance with this direction and invited the whole Diocese to contribute prayerfully and honestly as the work continues, reminding us all that the work was collaborative; we need to develop it together and all feel ownership of the final outcome. She encouraged everyone to remember the deep wells of faith and hope that have been laid over the centuries, and to trust that God is already at work. 

A recorded version of Bishop Debbie’s address can be watched here, and all comments on the vision and strategy can be emailed to joinin@peterborough-diocese.org.uk 

A copy of the slides used in the presentation can be seen here.

An update on the Parish Share Review and Governance Review was given by Isabel Merrifield, previously Interim Diocesan Secretary and now Governance Project Manager. 

The Parish Share Review is now being led by Russ Beese, Diocesan Secretary and David Mason, Head of Finance with consultation underway and the outcome due to be implemented for the 2027 requests. Any input is still welcomed and emails can be sent directly to Russ or David, or to joinin@peterborough-diocese.org.uk

The Governance Review implementation is being overseen by Isabel and the Diocese is progressing towards a simplified governance structure. This will see a new Bishop’s Diocesan Council bring together the work of Bishop’s Council, DBF Trustees, the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee and the Parsonages Board. This is a structure that is already working well in other dioceses.

Isabel explained that a phased introduction is required, with the new structure formally beginning after elections in September 2027, with aligned meetings happening prior to this official launch.
Victoria Kellett, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, then presented an update following the INEQE Safeguarding Audit published at the end of last year.

A key focus was on strengthening governance and oversight. Since the beginning of the year, the DBF trustees now receive the full safeguarding report that goes to the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel, a lead trustee for safeguarding is being sought and an operational safeguarding group is being set up to ensure safeguarding is understood across the whole Diocese and not isolated within a single team.

Capacity remains a challenge due to staffing changes, but support for parishes continues with Parish Safeguarding Officers network meetings and support for deanery safeguarding hubs. 
The report from General Synod was received and warm thanks were offered to the Diocese’s current General Synod representatives. The meeting heard that elections are being held in the summer for the next quinquennium with three clergy and three lay places are available. A broad range of voices is encouraged to stand as participation ensures that local churches remain connected to, and heard within, the wider Church of England. 

Reports from Diocesan Boards and Committees were received and the minutes from October 2025 were approved before members were notified that Amending Canon No. 44 had been promulgated and executed. This allows Armed Forces Chaplains to minister without delays caused by moving geographic location. 

Future Meetings

• Wednesday 8 July 2026, 6pm – Bishop Stopford School
• Saturday 10 October 2026, 10am – Malcolm Arnold Academy

Revd Allison Twigg, Chair of the House of Clergy	Chris Banks, Chair of the House of Laity