Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund soon to re-open

Friday October 30th 2015

Parishes are advised that the government’s Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund will soon re-open for new applications, with £25 million to be awarded during 2016.

The Fund was set up after the Chancellor of the Exchequer committed £15 million of funding in 2014. After the programme opened for applications the significant demand resulted in the Chancellor committing a further £40 million to the Fund in the 2015 Budget.

The Fund is currently closed, but it will re-open to new applications later this autumn, making awards from the remaining £25m. Any applicants who were unsuccessful during the first round will be required to re-apply. The new application form and application guidance will be available shortly.

Although full details have yet to be announced, The Representative Church Body Property Department wants parishes to be aware that a very short timescale was allowed for applications in the first round.

Any Parish wishing to make an application to the Fund whose Church is vested in the Representative Church Body, will require the following from the Property Department:

A letter of support for the application from the Representative Church Body;

A Certificate of Title for the Church, which will need to be provided by the Representative Church Body’s Solicitor.

Trevor Stacey, Head of Property and Trusts with the RCB, said: “Due to the large volume of requests for the above documents which were received at short notice for the first round, we would urge any Parish intending to apply to let us know as soon as possible in order to ensure the necessary documents can be provided in time to meet the deadline for the next round.

“We should be grateful if the Parish would provide details to us of the work which needs to be done (e.g. a copy of the Quinquennial Report Inspection/latest Architect’s Report).”

Details for the Roof Repair Fund when announced, will appear on the website www.lpowroof.org.uk

Enquiries to the Roof Repair Fund can be made by:

Email to: enquiries@lpowroof.org.uk

Telephone: 01 392 223 979

Post: Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund

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