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Support structures

Pastoral administration

In 2008 most of the provisions of the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007, including those affecting our work, came into force. The measure will support the growing variety of ‘fresh expressions’ of church alongside traditional parochial structures.

We helped to arrange three regional conferences to launch the new legislation, addressed diocesan and other gatherings, and are updating our range of guidance material.

We received 149 new cases and brought forward 101 from the previous year. We completed 149 cases, resulting in a net reduction of 52 benefices and 17 parishes.

25 published Schemes and Orders attracted objections. We considered 22 cases during 2008, in 16 of which representors attended and spoke to the committee.

Church buildings closed for regular public worship

We work with dioceses to find suitable new uses for closed church buildings.

2008 was a strong year for sale proceeds, despite the challenging economic climate, with just under £4.0 million raised. Around £42.2 million has been raised since 1969 in net proceeds from the disposal of closed churches and sites, of which we have credited £32.2 million to diocesan pastoral accounts for the use of the Church, and £10 million to the Churches Conservation Trust.

28 schemes determining the future of closed church buildings were made in 2008. 23 provided for new alternative uses, two for return to parish use and three for demolition.

In June the committee and colleagues visited 16 church buildings that are closed or facing closure. We learned about the impact of regeneration and saw some striking new uses, including a climbing centre at Ardwick St Benedict which attracts local users and whose facilities were much used by the surrounding community.

The Church's (30%, and Commissioners-funded) share of the Churches Conservation Trust budget for 2009-12 was agreed by Synod in July as £4.16 million. The remaining 70%, to which the Church's share is pegged, is publicly-funded. Despite a modest increase for 2009-12 after several years of flat funding, the Trust's financial capacity to maintain its estate and cope with new vestings remain matters of concern. We are assisting the Trust in its ongoing review of its estate, which includes pursuing suitable opportunities to lease or divest church buildings in its care.