The National Church Governance Measure, which will bring together separate national church bodies, received final approval in a vote at Synod in York today.

The Measure, which now requires Parliamentary approval, is the product of a four-year process designed to simplify and transform the Church’s national structures to better serve, support and encourage local churches.

Two existing bodies, the Archbishops’ Council and Church of England Central Services (known as ChECS) – which oversee a wide range of the church’s national functions – will be replaced by a new charity called Church of England National Services (CENS).

It will also take over the non-investment functions from the Church Commissioners and most of those of the Offices of the Archbishops at Lambeth and Bishopthorpe Palaces.

The measure was the product of a major review of the Church’s governance structures which called for an overhaul to rebuild trust and deliver greater transparency.

Addressing Synod ahead of the debate on final approval, the Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, who chaired the steering group which brought the Measure to Synod said: “This legislation, and the work that lies behind it, has been over four years in development, with widespread consultation at every stage, and significant improvements to the proposals as a result; and the issues of Governance in the Church have only become more acute during that period.

“I would therefore urge Synod to get behind these proposals in their revised form, so that more effective governance at the national level might better serve and support our parishes, their churches, schools and communities in our calling to pray and work for the coming of God’s Kingdom.”