English Heritage/Heritage Lottery - Repair Grants for Places of Worship Scheme

If you're planning to apply for the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme for grade I and II* churches at the end of June you will find that you won't be able to get the application form from the regional office or the website until May as the form is currently being approved by both funders before going live in May.

A Plea for Help - Heritage Lottery Fund Consultation - deadline 26th April

Though it might sound dull it's really important that as many people fill in the current Heritage Lottery Fund Consultation as possible. There is a long and short form. The latter only takes a matter of minutes and can be found by clicking on "Public: register your vote" on the link below:

Heritage Lottery Fund Consultation

At present there has been a low turn out in the consultation from places of worship. The consultation will shape how the HLF spends it's money in the future so if there is not enough representation from faith organisations such as the dioceses and churches schemes like the Repair Grants for Places of Worship will be at risk. The scheme is the largest funder for repairs to churches so the loss of the scheme would be catastrophic for our listed church buildings. So if you want to keep the Repair Grants for Places of worship scheme get online Now!!! 

Faith In Maintenance - Bedale - Saturday!!

Don't forget the Faith in Maintenance course organised by SPAB will be happening this Saturday at Chantry Hall next to St Gregory's Church in Bedale. All your maintenance questions answered with theory put into practice in the afternoon session. Just bring yourselves and don't forget your butties!!

Listed Places of Worship Scheme Update

The headline changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme announced on 31st March are:

·         Applications will be processed on a quarterly basis and the grants paid at the end of the quarter – the application window will open again in July 2011

·         There is a fixed budget for each quarter – if applications are for more than the budget a proportional amount of the VAT is paid and if they are less the amount rolls over into the next quarter

·         It will not be possible to claim where the supporting invoices are more than one year old

·         As there will be a large volume of applications in the first 2 quarters of 2011/12 applications should be made after September 2011, if there is any flexibility

·         Eligibility depends on the date the claim is received by the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, not the date the works were carried out, or the invoice date – therefore, the full level of VAT can no longer be guaranteed and professional fees and organ and bell works are now INELIGIBLE

More information has been sent to your clergy and PCC Treasurers or you can go to ChurchCare's website:

http://www.churchcare.co.uk/news.php