NOT ANOTHER CHURCH BUILDINGS REPORT!

General Synod Members will recall the successful February debate based on “Building Faith in the Future”, lead by the Bishop of London, when we called on Government agencies to recognise the contribution of church buildings to the national built heritage. In particular, we wanted the value to the nation by churches through education, culture, tourism and social care to be recognised. The value of grants for repair has fallen in real terms and the cost of repair work has risen.

The parallel Rural debate highlighted many examples of rural churches delivering a growing portfolio of work directly to their communities but pointed up the difficulties of small congregations struggling with grant aid rules and rising costs. I’m currently project managing the installation of a DDA toilet and kitchen in a Grade 1 church, hoping to use a trench arch “green” drainage system as used in the Diocese of Gloucester, for example. Although it is approved for use in the adjacent District in North Yorkshire, the local Building Control office has refused it. How very consistent!

Now English Heritage has responded with a campaign called “Inspired!” which aims to help secure the future for England’s historic places of worship. The Press generalised the theme as a call for “ONE BILLION POUNDS NEEDED FOR URGENT CHURCH REPAIRS!” The campaign in reality will identify the needs, highlight the shortfall between the cost of much-need repairs and the money raised by congregations directly and through the £40m of grant money available. The shortfall is £118m per annum, and don’t say I didn’t tell you before the powerful might of English Heritage PR came to bear.

Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, says we cannot realistically expect the Government to pay for the shortfall. WHY NOT? We are saving the country billions in social care costs and already the Government is looking to the voluntary sector to pick up more of the costs of the health service. We know who they mean by that – a good proportion will be church members gathered round a possibly leaking building.

Critics say the two problems are mixed up – the costs of heritage buildings have got nothing to do with the church’s mission. Just ask the average Parish Treasurer and the answer comes back – we are trying to balance the two. I hear the sound of banging tables and rattling teacups!

Roy Thompson