General Synod Elections

General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England. It shapes and approves laws that affect the whole of the Church of England. It agrees new forms of worship, debates matters of national and international importance, and approves the annual budget for the work of the Church at national level.

In Autumn 2026, elections are happening for new General Synod members. Those elected will serve for five years. Members are a mixture of bishops, clergy and lay people. Almost anyone who attends church regularly is likely to be eligible to stand as a lay member.

The Diocese of Durham is represented at the Church of England's General Synod by four 'Proctors in Convocation' or members of the House of Clergy and four Members of the House of Laity. In the 2026 General Synod elections the nomination period closed at 5pm on 7 September 2026 and the following are standing for election to the House of Clergy and House of Laity. Where Election Addresses have been provided by a candidate there is a link to his/her address adjacent to his/her name.

House of Clergy			House of Laity
	Nichola Chater Link to address			Alistair Bassett Link to address
	Alexander Jones Link to address			Alison Blackburn Link to address
	Mark Mawhinney Link to address			Adam Ellison Link to address
	Simon McMurtary Link to address			James Hall Link to address
	Mark Miller Link to address			Jamie Harrison Link to address
	Chantal Noppen Link to address			Paul Hobbs Link to address
	Donna Robinson Link to address			Hanna Lucas Link to address
	Matthew Tarling Link to address			Khaiko Makwela-Wali Link to address
				Catherine Mayes Link to address
				Joanne Nolan Link to address
				Tim Packer Link to address
				Richard Scothon Link to address
				Helen Smith Link to address
				Frances Stenlake Link to address
				Guy Wingate Link to address

The voting period will open on Monday 21 September 2026 and close at 5pm on Tuesday 13 October 2026. Those eligible to vote will receive information about how to vote. This information will be sent to their e-mail address or postal address where an e-mail address is not available.