Notice of Elections: Clergy with Permission to Officiate (PTO) 2026
To comply with the Church Representation Rules (CRR) 15 (1) (f) and (2) (a-b), elections are being held to allow Clergy with Permission to Officiate (PTO) to stand for election to their Deanery Synod. The term of office for those elected will be three years from 1st July 2026 – 30th June 2029 and each successful candidate will be added to the appropriate Deanery Register.
Each candidate is asked to complete all sections of the Candidate Form and the proposer to complete a Proposer Form. Unlike in other elections, no seconder is required. Any form that is not completed and signed (both typed and digital signatures are acceptable), will deem the nomination invalid. Each form must be returned by the person completing it (i.e. the Candidate Form must be returned by the candidate and the Proposer Form must be returned by the proposer). Please note if the proposer changes after the Nomination Form has been submitted, the Candidate Form will need to be updated with the new details and re-submitted by the candidate.
Candidate and Proposer Forms and papers must be received by the Presiding Officer at synod@cofeguildford.org.uk so as to arrive not later than 12 noon on Tuesday 5 May 2026. If there are more candidates than places for each PTO election, a ballot will be held for each deanery synod. Voting papers will be sent to all clergy who hold Permission to Officiate (PTO) in the relevant deaneries.
Both the candidate and proposer must be from the same deanery and both must meet the following requirements:
- Be a clerk in Holy Orders and hold Permission to Officiate (PTO)
- Be resident in the deanery or have habitually attended public worship in the deanery during the preceding six months
These elections are being held to allow clergy who hold Permission to Officiate to stand for election to Deanery Synod to fill the vacancies detailed below in each Deanery:
|
Surrey Archdeaconry |
No of seats |
|
Dorking Archdeaconry |
No of seats |
|
Aldershot |
2 |
|
Dorking |
2 |
|
Cranleigh |
2 |
|
Emly |
1 |
|
Farnham |
2 |
|
Epsom |
2 |
|
Godalming |
3 |
|
Leatherhead |
2 |
|
Guildford |
4 |
|
Runneymede |
1 |
|
Surrey Heath |
2 |
|
Woking |
2 |
If you have any questions regarding the election process, please do be in touch at synod@cofeguildford.org.uk
Kate Darwent
Presiding Officer
Timetable for PTO Elections
- Tuesday 14 April 2026 Notice of Election and Nomination Papers
issued - Tuesday 5 May 2026 Close of Nominations
(12 noon)
If required Ballot Papers issued
- Tuesday 26th May 2026 Close of Voting
(12 noon)
Any successful candidate will take up office on 1 July 2026 and will be in office until 30 June 2029.