Moving Forward in Mission Spring 2008 Conferences

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Church Buildings and related changes under the DPMM 2007 Paul Lewis Church Commissioners

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Key Changes General duty applies New terminology Transfer of use seeking role to mission and pastoral committee Church Buildings Council as single central source of information and advice on church buildings Simplifications in process New option under one-stage procedure - demolition of unlisted churches outside conservation areas closure

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 New Terminology Declaration of closure for regular public worship (formerly a declaration of redundancy) Pastoral church buildings scheme (a pastoral scheme involving closure of a church building) Pastoral (church buildings disposal) scheme (formerly a redundancy scheme)

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Mission and Pastoral Committee Duty to maintain an overview of matters relating to church buildings in the diocese and their use Takes over use seeking function for closed churches (in amended form) Has to obtain advice in carrying out this function from Commissioners and those with expertise in management, development and disposal of property

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Mission and Pastoral Committee For churches closed or proposed for closure: To make every endeavour to find suitable alternative uses for listed churches or those in conservation areas To develop proposals for future of unlisted churches outside conservation areas – either for suitable alternative use or for demolition and disposal of the site

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Church Buildings Council Replaces CCC and ABRC (from 11 June) Prepares mandatory reports when future of a church is under consideration Becomes the Commissioners’ expert adviser on heritage matters in respect of closed churches or those proposed for closure Provides heritage advice for the Churches Conservation Trust

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Church Buildings Council ‘Statutory Advisory Committee’ will carry out functions at present performed by ABRC Consisting of: –‘independent strand’ of membership - four persons nominated by Secretary of State at DCMS specialist knowledge –Chair and three other members of CBC

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Pastoral Church Buildings Schemes Basic process remains broadly the same Commissioners continue to publish all draft schemes involve closure of a church building and/or settling its future (Secular) parish council becomes an interested party for these draft proposals and schemes

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Pastoral Church Buildings Schemes One- stage process Simplified process for section 46 ‘replacement’ schemes – where Commissioners, following consultation with CBC, are satisfied with proposal for future of old building Demolition Demolition of unlisted buildings outside conservation areas now permitted at time of closure as part of one-stage process Commissioners, after consulting CBC, must be satisfied with the proposal But forthcoming Heritage Protection legislation likely to affect use of this provision.

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Pastoral (Church Buildings Disposal) Schemes Two-stage process Use seeking process reduced from three to two years (to concentrate efforts) Only case with a ‘mandatory’ use seeking period will be a proposed demolition of a listed church or one within a conservation area DBF continues to be responsible for care and maintenance until a use is found

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Other Provisions Churches Conservation Trust acquires a new permissive power Where the CBC has advised the Commissioners that, in the event of closure, the church could merit vesting in the CCT The Commissioners may, after consultation with the mission and pastoral committee, request the CCT to provide advice and assistance in identifying and developing proposals for a use of the church, or part of it, consistent with primary use for worship

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Other Provisions Diocesan Board of Finance required to consult Diocesan Advisory Committee and Chancellor before transferring contents for safekeeping during use seeking period – unless it considers urgency needed makes this impracticable Disposal of contents when future of building settled is simplified – unless scheme directs otherwise, Bishop’s directions will apply. Scheme can provide for DBF, as well as Commissioners, to sell a closed church

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Commissioners’ Role Changing role Moving to a professional staff Regionally based Seek planning permission in appropriate places before marketing

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Eppleton All Saints

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Chichester All Saints

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Chichester All Saints

Moving Forward in Mission conferences – Spring 2008 Chichester All Saints

Moving Forward in Mission Spring 2008 Conferences