About Us

Governance & Finance


Governance

Wells Cathedral is regulated by the Cathedrals Measure 2021 and, at this time, we are working towards registration with the Charity Commission, anticipated as being end February 2024. The Cathedral’s new Constitution and Statutes are now in force and are available for download.

Wells Cathedral Constitution - September 2023 (.pdf) Wells Cathedral Statutes - September 2023 (.pdf)

The Chapter is the governing body of the Cathedral, comprised of three Executive members (the Dean, the Chancellor, and the Precentor) and up to nine Non-Executive members, two-thirds of whom must be lay people. Lay Non-Executive members of Chapter are appointed by Chapter, with prior approval of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Chapter will be advertising in early 2024 for two Non-Executive members of Chapter. Please see our Vacancies page. The Bishop of Bath and Wells appoints one Non-Executive member to serve as Senior Non-Executive member.

Chapter is supported in its work by two statutory committees:

  • Finance Committee (incorporating Audit and Risk)
  • Nominations Committee

Day to day decision making is delegated to a Cathedral Leadership Team, and a Schedule of Delegated Authority (SoDA) articulates how this works in practice.

Schedule of Delegated Authority - November 2023 (.pdf)

Annual Reports and Financial Statements

The Chapter presents its Annual Report and audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Annual Report 2023 (.pdf)

The Annual Report for 2023 covers:

  • A statement of the Cathedral’s mission and objectives and a summary of the regular activities and strategic projects that meet these objectives
  • The achievements and performance of these activities and projects in 2022
  • A review of the financial outcomes and issues of the year
  • The Cathedral’s future plans
  • A summary of structure, governance and management; and
  • Reference and administrative details.

Please see below the previous Annual Reports for 2018–2022:

Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Annual Report 2020
Annual Report 2019
Annual Report 2018

 

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