Finance

241.1 General

The co-ordination of financial responsibilities is based on the following principles.

Partners should act jointly in all dealings where departure from standard practices is contemplated.

a) The stipend, superannuation and other allowances (including housing) of the stipendiary minister are a prior charge on parish revenues.  These shall be at rates approved by the church of the minister concerned and paid at least monthly in the manner nominated by the minister.

b) Where the parish requires a grant to maintain a ministry this may be provided by the Partners as agreed by them.  See subsequent clauses on application for grants-in-aid of stipend.  (See 241.5)

c) Existing contributions for the wider work of the Partners are to be made even though a parish may be in receipt of a grant.

d) Financial Year.  Wherever the closing date of the financial year used by parishes entering cooperation differs, the date used by the majority of Partners shall be adopted.

e) Statistics.  Parishes will provide financial and other statistics to the Forum Office through the JRC on request. These returns shall be accompanied by Liability Risk Compliance Statements (see 447)

241.2 Superannuation scheme contributions

Parish contributions are paid as directed by the Partner making the appointment, normally to the fund of that Partner.

a) Change in ministry.  The Forum shall advise the Partners immediately the church responsible for the next ministry is determined.  Parish contributions shall be made to the superannuation fund of the church of the next ministry from the first day of the month following the completion of the ministry or the decision of the Forum on the church of the next ordained ministry - which ever is the later date.

b) No appointment.  In the event of the Partner deciding no ministry appointment will be made, the Joint Regional Committee shall recommend to the Forum the church which shall have responsibility for ministry oversight of the parish.  Parish contributions shall be made to the superannuation fund of that church from the first day of the month following the Forum decision.

c) The JRC shall review responsibility for ministry oversight every five years. Any change in parish contribution to be effected from the first day of the month following the Forum decision.

d) It is a legal requirement of the Partners superannuation funds that parishes shall continue to contribute to such a fund both when a ministerial appointment is made and when it is not.

241.3 Removal expenses

a) Cooperative Ventures without Anglican participation are responsible for the removal expenses of incoming ordained ministers.  All such Cooperative Ventures in the diocese of Waikato are responsible for full removal costs.  Assistance to Cooperative Ventures from Anglican sources in the dioceses of Christchurch, Waiapu, Wellington and Auckland is available on a proportionate basis after discussion with the diocesan offices.  This discussion must take place before the removal is finalised.

b) Removal expenses scheme.  There is a removal's scheme for Cooperative Ventures and parishes are urged to become members.  (See 445)

c) Ministers should not be required to meet any accounts properly the responsibility of the parish.

d) Arrangements for meeting of removal expenses accounts must be made before the removal is undertaken.

241.4 Setting contributions to diocesan or national budgets

a) The Cooperative Ventures Joint Mission Fund (CVJMF) consolidates each parish contributions to resource the national and wider missions work of the participating Partners.

b) However none of the Anglican Church Diocese’s participate in the CVJMF and contributions from CVs in which they are a Partner are undertaken by way of assessment directly with the appropriate Diocese.

c) Any contributions to the Anglican Board of Missions may be made through the CVJMF.

The operation of the CVJMF is outlined under Sec. 446.

241.5 Applications for grant-in-aid of stipend

a) Applications should be made on the common approved application form.  The procedures are set out on these forms

b) When a grant-in-aid of stipend is being sought the JRC shall be consulted by the parish and shall as a matter of urgency communicate its support or otherwise in writing to the national committee.

c) Visitations where appropriate may take up the questions in b) above.