The Judicial Council of The Methodist Church in Singapore has made a declaratory decision on a petition submitted to it by the General Conference (GC), confirming the validity of a resolution made by the GC consenting to the sale of two out of five property units in ESPA condominium.
The resolution by the GC at the 5th Special Session of its 10th Quadrennium (2012-2016), held on 30 July 2015, included the proviso that the resolution was not to take effect without such approval being declared by the Judicial Council to have satisfied ¶412.3 of The Book of Discipline of The Methodist Church in Singapore. ¶412.3 specifies that consent of the GC is needed for sale, transfer, lease exceeding 20 years, or mortgage of GC property.
The Judicial Council was of the unanimous view that by authorising the sale of two units out of a limited pool of five specified property units in the said location, the GC has satisfied the requirements of ¶412.3. The Council is also of the view that it is within the powers of the GC to decide how it wishes to grant consent for the said properties to be sold. The GC may delegate, to the General Conference Executive Council or such other body as the GC may specify, the responsibility to conclude the best terms and conditions of sale of each property.
In accordance with ¶705 of The Book of Discipline, this declaratory decision rendered by the Judicial Council on 28 July 2016 is final.