Last updated 17th December 2025
Deanery Synods consist of a House of Clergy and a House of Laity and, at Deanery level, they exercise similar powers to those of the Diocesan Synod. In addition, they bring together the views of the parishes in the Deanery on common issues, make known provisions made by Diocesan Synod, consider the business of Diocesan Synod and raise such matters with it as the Deanery Synod considers appropriate.
The meetings are usually co-chaired by a Lay Chair, elected from among the members, and the Area Dean. There may also be an elected Lay Secretary and Treasurer.
Deanery Synods must have a Standing Committee to plan the business of the Deanery Synod and to act as the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee for consultations on pastoral schemes.
All members of the clergy resident in a deanery are automatically members of Deanery Synod.
Elections of lay members to Deanery Synods happen every three years.
The number of places that a parish has on a deanery synod depends on the number of people on the parish electoral roll in the year prior to the election. See table below:
| Number of people on Electoral roll | Number of Deanery Synod representatives |
|---|---|
| 1-25 | 1 |
| 26-100 | 2 |
| 101-200 | 3 |
| 201-300 | 4 |
| 301-400 | 5 |
| 401-500 | 6 |
| 501-750 | 7 |
Members are elected to a deanery synod at a Parish Annual General Meeting and become 'Ex-officio' members of their local Parochial Church Council (PCC).