Chapter Update February 2026

Chapter digs into safeguarding arrangements

The Chapter – or board of trustees – of the cathedral spent the major part of its recent meeting reviewing arrangements for safeguarding.

The new regional safeguarding lead for our area, Warren Stevenson, was a guest at the meeting. He explained moves now under way in the Church of England as a whole to ensure our structures and practices include greater independent scrutiny. His own role, which currently reports to the national church, is part of that move and offers invaluable specialist support and guidance on our own safeguarding activities at Wakefield Cathedral, as well as the other two cathedrals in the diocese, and the diocesan safeguarding team as a whole.

As trustees, Chapter is conscious of its responsibilities and accountability for overseeing the safeguarding and well-being of those who the Cathedral serves.  Chapter has previously approved new arrangements for safeguarding, which will see us sharing a safeguarding officer with a neighbouring cathedral, and will hear later in the year about compliance with the National Safeguarding Standards as well as steps to improve the Cathedral’s internal auditing and scrutiny of safeguarding.

Presenting his regular report on recent activity to Chapter, the Dean commended the cathedral community for being alert to safeguarding needs and concerns, and commented, “Conscious of the Church’s failure in this area, we are working hard to make sure not just our processes but also our culture is welcoming and safe for all.”

Other business on chapter’s agenda included its regular review of finances and an update on staffing. Chapter remains concerned about the large deficit currently faced by the Cathedral, but is reassured that the Dean is in conversation with the Church Commissioners and external funders to identify how much support might be available later in the year. On staffing, Chapter heard that arrangements were now in hand to fill the vacancy for a as residentiary canon, as well as to seek a new chief operating officer. As ever, Chapter expressed its thanks to the hard-working staff team for all that they do, especially during a time of so much change.

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