Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Grant Funding from Local Authorities

Thursday 27 April 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Grants are unavailable to many parish churches due to inconsistencies in how local authorities apply the law.
  • The Bishop of Bristol has tabled an amendment to resolve this issue, and I hope the Department will support it.
  • The Bishop of Bristol's amendments have support from heritage bodies and the National Association of Local Councils.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Local Government Religion & Faith
Context

Parish churches face issues with inconsistent application of the law by local authorities, preventing them from accessing necessary grants for maintenance and repairs.

Question

How does the Church of England plan to spend grant funding from local authorities? Parish churches are unable to apply for certain types of grants due to inconsistencies in how local authorities interpret the law. The Bishop of Bristol has tabled an amendment to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill to address this issue.

Answer from Andrew Selous

Grants are unavailable to many parish churches due to inconsistencies in how local authorities apply the law. The Bishop of Bristol has tabled an amendment to resolve this issue, and I hope the Department will support it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans for spending grant funding were not addressed

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Q2 Selaine Saxby
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

Meshaw Together visited St John the Baptist church to discuss plans for its local church reordering for wider community use but was unsuccessful in securing platinum jubilee funding.

Question

Can I meet with my hon. Friend to try to find additional funding for the project that secures the future of the church and serves the wider community? The project involves St John the Baptist, Meshaw and seeks additional funding after failing to secure platinum jubilee funding.

Answer from Andrew Selous

Yes, I will meet with my hon. Friend. The Church Commissioners have given £11 million over three years for support officers to advise on community projects and fundraising. Small grants are available for repairs and net zero goals. Parishresources.org.uk may also provide helpful information.

Answered
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Q3 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Local Government Religion & Faith
Context

The Bishop of Bristol highlighted an inconsistency between the Local Government Act 1972 and the 1894 Act, causing concern over the legality of local government funding for Church buildings.

Question

Does my hon. Friend recognise this as a serious concern? If so, how will he propose to clarify the issue?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Bishop of Bristol's amendments have support from heritage bodies and the National Association of Local Councils. We are asking for Church of England parish churches to be treated like other faith and community buildings.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific clarification on legal status was not provided

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