In the 2006 Budget the Government showed it cared about our historic places of worship. Congregations are still celebrating the decision to extend further the scheme which returns VAT on repairs to these buildings.We still seek a permanent solution to the VAT issue but it's good to know the politicians care.
While VAT refunds are very helpful, the fact is that congregation sizes are decreasing, repair costs are rising and the amount of money English Heritage can offer is falling in real terms. If nothing is done there will be a crisis, not this year, not even next year, but in the very near future. This campaign is about tackling the problem before we reach a crisis and taking action to avoid it.
New research which English Heritage has just completed shows that although congregations valiantly manage to raise £67m each year, the yearly amount actually needed for repair and maintenance is £185m.That means there is a staggering £118m annual shortfall which English Heritage and other grant-making bodies simply cannot fill and which we cannot realistically expect Government to pay for.
A five-point plan to tackle the problem
With the Inspired! campaign English Heritage is mounting the most ambitious and strategic attempt yet to address this problem head-on.
- Solution 1 Making our places of worship fit for purpose in the 21st century by reforming heritage protection legislation.We are asking Government for a one-off payment of £2.52m to allow us to re-write out-dated list descriptions for all grade I listed places of worship.
Action Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) with English Heritage and the Church of England We are asking Government for £8m a year for three years for the following: - Solution 2 Helping congregations to help themselves by appointing advisors in denominations to offer support and expertise (£2m)
Action Denominations and faiths / English Heritage - Solution 3 Creating a maintenance grants scheme to shrink repair bills in the longer term (£2m)
Action Denominations and faiths / English Heritage - Solution 4 Maintaining the joint English Heritage/ Heritage Lottery Fund Repair Grants Scheme and augmenting it with a 'small grants' scheme
Action DCMS,the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage (£4m) - Solution 5 Making sure the safety nets are in place for redundant places of worship
Action DCMS,Churches Conservation Trust, English Heritage and the Historic Chapels Trust
Recent surveys have shown that very few people are aware that congregations receive so little support. Could you, for example, help by doing just one thing? You don't have to have religious belief to care about these buildings – just get involved if you want to see them stay as part of your community and England’s national heritage.