The parochial church council (PCC), is the executive body of a Church of England parish.
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Two Acts of Parliament define the powers and duties of PCCs. The Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956,[1] as amended, defines the principal functions and purpose of the PCC, which is the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent (rector, vicar or priest) or priest in charge in promoting the mission of the Church in its parish.[2] Section 6 of the Synodical Government Measure 1969 (No. 2) Act amended the list of PCC functions originally in Section 2 of the 1956 Act.[3]
Part II of the Church Representation Rules, contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 (No. 2),[4] states how a PCC should be constituted. A PCC consists of the clergy and churchwardens of the parish, together with a number of representatives of the laity elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting by means of being nominated and seconded at the meeting, and also being listed on the parish roll for at least six months.[5] The incumbent is the chairman of the PCC and a lay member is appointed vice-chairman. The PCC must meet at least four times a year.
The PCC is responsible for the financial affairs of the church and the care and maintenance of the church fabric and its contents. These latter responsibilities are executed by churchwardens or other volunteers. It also has a voice in the forms of service used by the church and may make representations to the bishop and deanery synod on matters affecting the welfare and pastoral care of the parish.[6] Since 2008 under the Charity Commission's The Excepted Church Charity Programme,[7] a PCC with an income of over £100,000 is required to register as a charity, and the members of the PCC become trustees.[8]
Many parish post-holders are appointed by the PCC such as sidesperson, child protection representative, treasurer, chalice bearers and sacristan. Churchwardens are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and attend the PCC and the standing committee.
PCCs were set up in 1921 by the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1921 Act[9] as a successor to the vestries or Vestry Meetings,[10] which had had their civil functions removed during the nineteenth century in numerous acts, concluding in 1894 with the establishment of civil parishes.[11] The subsequent 1956 and 1969 Acts now govern the establishment and function of PCCs.