Parish of Verwood Complaints Policy
Officers and members of the Verwood Parochial Church Council (PCC) are committed to carrying out their functions and duties with care and respect. This Complaints procedure is for those who are unhappy about matters for which the PCC is responsible that have affected them. Before using this procedure, however, the PCC encourages an approach to the Vicar or a Churchwarden to see if the matter can be resolved informally. All complaints will be treated seriously.
Making a Complaint to or about the PCC
How do I complain?
The complaint should be in writing (which includes email) to the PCC Secretary (unless the complaint is about the Secretary, in which case please make the complaint to the Vicar). Your complaint will be dealt with fairly, confidentiality and without bias or discrimination.
The complaint should be made within 3 months of the event in question and should include :
- Your full name and address
- Your complaint, including how the circumstances of your complaint adversely affected you
- What (if anything) you think the PCC should do to put it right.
In making a complaint, you agree to the PCC Complaints Committee (which will generally comprise the Standing Committee Members) or its nominee investigating your complaint, including seeking information from others.
If someone complains on your behalf, you need to provide written confirmation that you agree to that person acting for you.
What will happen next ?
The person handling the complaint will normally acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 5 working days of receipt, and will log it. That person will then arrange for your complaint to be considered by the PCC Complaints Committee (which will generally comprise the Standing Committee members). If your complaint refers to a particular member of that Committee, the Committee will meet without that person being present.
The PCC’s Complaints Committee will look fairly into your complaint including seeking the views on the matter from any individuals, whether members of the PCC or otherwise, to which your complaint refers. The Complaints Committee may appoint one or more persons to look into the matter on its behalf, but it will be the Complaints Committee that makes any decisions. The Complaints Committee and any such appointed persons will treat the matter confidentially.
You may be invited to attend the Complaints Committee meeting and, if you are, you may bring a friend or a representative. The Chair will explain procedures and the meeting will be minuted.
You will be advised in writing of the outcome of the Complaints Committee’s investigation no later than 6 weeks after the receipt of your complaint – unless the Committee’s investigation is still ongoing, in which case you will be given an interim response. Your being advised of the outcome of the Committee’s investigation will be the PCC’s final response to your complaint.
What if I am not satisfied with the PCC’s response?
If you remain dissatisfied, you may wish to consider contacting the Charity Commission as while Parochial Church Councils are independent bodies they are charities and as such are regulated by the Charity Commission. The Charity Commission can be contacted either via their website https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-charity or by writing to them at Charity Commission First Contact, PO Box 1227, Liverpool L69 3UG.
Making a complaint about the Vicar or another minister
Please raise the matter with the Vicar in the first instance. If the matter remains unresolved, you could contact the Archdeacon. You may wish to read a leaflet specifically written about complaints concerning clergy misconduct which can be accessed at www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2017-10/makingcomplainta4.pdf
Making a complaint about Safeguarding of Children or Vulnerable Adults
Please raise the matter with our Safeguarding Officer, the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor and/or Independent Sexual Violence Advisor.
Contact details
The Vicar : Revd Deborah Matthews
The Vicarage, Dewlands Way, Verwood, BH31 6JN. 01202 823707 revdebmatthews@outlook.com
PCC Secretary : Mrs Julia Palmer : Potterne Farm Cottage, Potterne Way, Wimborne, BH21 6RS. 01202 813658 Julia.palmer@jcplaw.co.uk
Churchwardens :
Mrs Beryl Greenhalgh : 38 Hayward Crescent, Verwood, BH31 6JT 01202 824213. beryl.counselling@gmail.com
Mrs Anthea Stephens : 15 Manor Road, Verwood, BH31 6DS 01202 822992 antheastephens@ymail.com
Archdeacon : The Ven Antony MacRow-Wood
Sherborne Office, Dairy Barn, Ash Farm Courtyard, Stourpaine, DT11 8PW 01258 444521 addorset@salisbury.anglican.org
Safeguarding Officer : Mrs Carol Weaver
23 Summer Fields, Verwood, BH31 6LG carol.weaver@talktalk.net
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor : Jem (Jeremy) Carter; Suzy Futcher, Diocesan Office, Church House, 99 Crane Street, Salisbury, SP1 2QB safeguarding@salisbury.anglican.org
07500 664800 mobile 07469 857888 or 0303 003111 for urgent or out of hours calls.
Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) : Nina Tanner 07825 741751
Nina.tanner@salisbury.anglican.org
Reviewed and updated 4.7.22
Verwood Parochial Church Council is a Charity registered under number 1130729