The Bishop of London sent out the following announcement today:
Dear Friends,
Future of the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme
Nearly everyone accepts that the scale of Government borrowing is unsustainable and that some cuts have been necessary. Individuals and organisations will be considering the impact of yesterday’s announcements and today’s more detailed account of the implications.
I am very glad that the Department for Culture Media and Sport has announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme will continue when its present period of operation expires at the end of March 2011. The additional concessions, however, on professional fees, organs and bells, secured in 2006 and already withdrawn will not be re-instated. I regret this but I do very much welcome the Government’s recognition that church buildings make a large contribution to the community as a whole. The value of the scheme to the church will be enhanced in view of the increase in the rate of VAT in the New Year.
The argument we have been deploying is very simple. Abandoning the scheme which affects every part of the United Kingdom would be a tax on fund raising; a great disincentive to the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who care for our churches and a blow to the credibility of the concept of the Big Society.
Your team in the Church Buildings Division led by Ann Sloman and Janet Gough have campaigned indefatigably. We also owe a debt of gratitude to our newly appointed Second Church estates Commissioner Tony Baldry MP for his help and not least to the Heritage Minister John Penrose for his informed concern and determination to find a solution which balances the need for economies with a recognition of the role and potential of our church buildings.
With thanks for our partnership in the Gospel
The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Richard Chartres KCVO DD FSA
