Hearing on controversial Kerrier plans: Church Commissioners to visit Cornwall

Responding to a high level of local objection, the Church Commissioners will hold a hearing on the Diocese of Truro's controversial plan to create a giant new benefice in Kerrier, west Cornwall. Sir Robert Buckland, former Solicitor General for England and Wales and current Church of England third Estate Commissioner, will oversee proceedings 

Click here to read an article in this week's Falmouth Packet. A total of 167 people opposed the plan in a consultation: just 22 people supported it, including the two stipendiary clergy proposed in the reorganisation. The Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev David Williams, continues to support the plan, however.

Kerrier deanery covers the entire Lizard peninsular as well as Porthleven and other churches west of Helston. Hearing details -Wednesday 13 May 2026 10.30am - 1.00pm. National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth TR11 3Q.

Click here to read the original plan for Kerrier Deanery. This plan was drawn up in late 2021 under controversial reorganisation proposals - known as On The Way - initiated by the former Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen.

Kerrier was one of the first deaneries asked to draw up an On The Way plan. The request came during Covid, and churchgoers were taken by surprise. It was approved by the narrowest of margins in September 2022: 14 in favour, 11 against and 3 abstentions.

Click here to read Kerrier's Rural Dean, Rev Heidi Huntley, responding to widespread confusion, and concern in August 2023.

The reasons for the On The Way reorganisation were unclear. The Diocese first said it was driven by financial considerations. Later, it became clear that it had been pushed forward by a radically new vision of worship in Cornwall, based on a model of lay people (some voluntary, some paid) taking over the some of the tasks of paid clergy, who were to become 'Oversight Ministers' - administrators managing this process.  The Rt Rev Hugh Nelson admitted that the church was wealthy, revealing that the re-organisation was driven by ideology, rather than financial constraints.

"The church does have (money), it's very wealthy .... some of that is being freed up. We'll put probably 10 million pounds over the next ten years or so straight into parishes turn to supporting them and then we have got money to do some of these other things," he told BBC1 Politics Southwest in May 2023. “The church is about what what we think we’re here for, who we think matters.” Click here to read a report on that interview.

The original Kerrier Deanery Plan was passed by the narrowest of margins - just one vote. Click here to read the original plan.  Click here to read the plan updated in 2025.

At no stage were those voting informed that a Community Interest Company (CIC) would need to be set up to manage the employment of the paid lay workers. Click here for more background.

The Archdeacon of Cornwall last year hinted that clergy vision could be increased in Kerrier, acknowledging that the clergy provision in the On The Way plan was insufficient. But it is unclear whether the diocese is truly supportive of boosting clergy numbers. Click here to read Save The Parish Cornwall's analysis of an advertisement placed in the Church Times in November 2025.

 Elsewhere, churchgoers have pushed back against On The Way proposals. Kerrier, East Wivelshire and Penwith deaneries were among the first to be asked to draw up On The Way plans. All were put under pressure and asked to participate in the same set process (used across Cornwall) which was divisive and controlled. In all three of these deaneries, the plans have faltered. Penwith Deanery recently threw out its original On The Way plan and is starting again from scratch. Click here to read more details.