10th July 2010

Members were saddened to hear the recent death of Corinne Bennett MBE who passed away on 10th July 2010.
There will be a mass of Thanksgiving and reception at St George’s R.C. Cathedral, Southwark, London, SE1 on Thursday 30th September at 11am for all those who wish to pay their respects.

17th August 2010

We are posting to the website a letter from Jeremy Dann who is senior policy Advisor at The Department for Media, Culture and Sport about the listed places of Worship Grant Scheme – in year savings. This has been circulated to relevant and appropriate groups and will no doubt further filter out shortly.

Should you wish to comment on the letter, contact details have been included at the bottom?

Dear all,

You will be aware of the financial pressures across Government, and that all Departments and sponsored bodies have sustained an immediate 3% in-year cut in funding, pending an announcement later this year as to spending plans over the next period from April 2011. I regret to have to inform you that the LPW scheme needs to ensure this year that it stays within a set budget. You will appreciate that this is not straightforward, given the hitherto needs-led nature of the scheme.  You will be aware also of the increase in basic rate VAT to 20% from Jan 4th 2011, which further complicates matters.

I am not in a position as yet to pass on any news about the future of the scheme beyond the end of the 10-11 financial year, and you should not assume that the options outlined below to make savings in-year presage a decision on the future of the scheme beyond March 2011. We acknowledge of course the major campaign to retain the scheme from April 2011.

In order to ensure that we do not overspend this year, we need to undertake one of the following options:
Option A- continue to cover the full current scope of the scheme but pay at a reduced rate of 15% from 4 Jan 2011 (when the basic rate of VAT reaches 20%);

Option B- Continue to match full VAT including the increase to 20% from 4 January, but remove eligibility of professional fees, clocks, pews, bells and organs (the Budget 06 additions to scope) from the point of the announcement of the spending review (or a suitably near date). 
We realise of course that the overriding preference would be for the scheme to maintain its current scope and continue to meet full VAT, but we regret that this is not possible in the current financial landscape. The Minister for Tourism and Heritage, John Penrose, is particularly keen, however, that stakeholders are given the opportunity to comment on the options that are available. I would be very grateful for comments to be received by 31 August. I apologise for the short timescale. Responses will be weighted according to the size of the estate of each group or denomination. I will be asking my contacts in the devolved administrations to conduct this exercise in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

I am in the office this week, then away for a fortnight until 31 August.  
With all good wishes  

Jeremy Dann
Senior Policy Advisor
Policy, Strategy and Resource Unit
Culture Team
Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
2-4 Cockspur St
London SW1Y 5DH

Tel 020 7211 2348
Fax 020 7211 6130

Association Contact:
Russell Trudgen M Arch RIBA, Arctic associates ltd, 33 Queen Street, Morley, Leeds, LS27 8EE
Tel/Fax: 0113 253 7040 Email: info@arctic-associates.co.uk www.arctic-associates.co.uk