The work of the Diocesan Synod is supported by a wide range of boards, councils and committees which promote particular aspects of activity in the life of the Diocese. Membership of these groups is via a range of pathways: election, appointment, co-option, and by dint of holding another office. Each group has a unique mix of pathways to membership. The broad groupings are:

Statutory bodies

  • Glebe Committee (under the Endowments and Glebe Measure 1976)
  • Buildings Management and Strategy Committee (under the Repair of Benefice Buildings Measure 1972)
  • Diocesan Advisory Committee (under the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991)
  • Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee (under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011)
  • Churches Uniform Statutory Trust for Educational Endowments (CSUST) (under the Education Act 1966, Uniform Statutory Trusts for Education al Endowments Schedule 36 Section 557)
  • Patronage Board (under the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986)
  • The Bishop’s Council is stipulated in the Church Representation Rules (Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969); the Standing Committee of Diocesan Synod is established through the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd.
  • “Creatures of Synod”, either reporting directly to the Diocesan Synod, or reporting to an overarching body which itself reports to the Diocesan Synod:
  • Diocesan Board of Mission
  • Diocesan Board of Education (itself a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity – the Diocesan Boards of Education Measure 1991dictates much of the Governing document)
  • Diocesan Committee for Interfaith Concerns (reporting to the Board of Mission)
  • Diocesan Council for Partnership in World Mission (reporting to the Board of Mission)

Sub-Committees

Established by the Board of Directors to support their strategic and executive responsibilities:

  • Audit Committee
  • Human Resources Panel
  • Glebe and DBF Investment Committee
  • Pensions Sub-Committee
  • Planning and Budget Sub-Committee
  • Communications Strategy Oversight Group
  • The Editorial Support Group

Companies

In addition there are several Companies operating within the life of the Dioceses:

  • Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Ltd (known as DTO)L), a Company limited by Guarantee
  • Oxford Diocesan Educational Services Ltd (ODES)
  • Plus some Charities which have a long-standing relationship with the Diocesan Synod:Diocesan Mothers’ Union
  • Parents and Children Together (PACT)
  • i-church
  • Oxford Diocesan Council for the Deaf (ODCD)

The majority of these groups provide an Annual Report to the Diocesan Synod.