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A new voice for the Churches

 

The Rt Revd George Cassidy, Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham and chairman of the Churches Main Committee – originally established to liaise with the Government over matters of interest to the Christian churches – has welcomed the conclusions of a recent review chaired by Peter Bottomley MP into the work of the body.

In response to the report, Bishop George says: "I am grateful to the 'Bottomley group' for the care with which it has considered how far the CMC's size, shape and working methods continue to meet the needs of its members into the 21st century. As a result of the review, the CMC will retain its core functions but will be re-constituted and re-named the Churches' Legislation Advisory Service (CLAS). I am excited about the new era and look forward to our establishing ever more fruitful links with key policy formulators in the interests of its member churches and denominations.”

The CLAS will be run with a smaller governing body and an outsourced secretariat. Following a competitive tender exercise, Central Lobby Consultants Ltd were appointed to provide this secretariat service. Constructive discussions are underway with the Charity Commission about the new name and constitution, which should come into effect later this year.