United Reformed Church South Western Synod Information Sheet 1

Introduction

This range of Information Sheets is intended for the benefit of Elders, Ministers and all those concerned with the management of United Reformed Church property, particularly in the South Western Synod. Legislation affecting churches has grown enormously since the booklet “Church Property, Care Procedures, Guidance”, (affectionately known as the Pink Book because of the colour of its covers) was last amended in 1998. As a result it had become well out of date particularly in the areas of legal advice. The Information Sheets include content from the ‘Pink Book’ which has been updated and edited, to provide an easy point of reference in hard copy format and online for downloading.

These Information Sheets focus on issues specific to church property in the South Western Synod, highlight a number of the more everyday matters, and expand on some issues raised in the Plato Property Handbook.

Those responsible for Church property are reminded that under the URC Acts, any alterations or works to church property (churches or manses) requires Synod consent if they might alter the character, value or appearance of the building. Consent may be obtained on application to the Synod Property Committee.

Copies of the various Information Sheets and forms referred to therein are available to download from the Synod website www.urcsouthwest.org.uk, or from the Synod Office. Online versions of the Information Sheets will be reviewed regularly, and churches are encouraged to access the latest versions online.

Additional Information

PLATO: Since the Pink Book was first produced, the Property Legal and Trust Officers in the various Synods (acronym PLATO) pooled resources and prepared a guide covering legal and other matters which were common to churches in all Synods. The Plato Property Handbook is available on the URC website: http://www.urc.org.uk/what_we_do/plato/plato

The Plato Property Handbook is updated regularly and churches should check they are using the most recent version by downloading it from the website or checking the contents list on the website to see if any new sections exist or which sections have been updated.

The United Reformed Church South Western Synod

The Manse

Norton Fitzwarren

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 6RU

Web: www.urcsouthwest.org.uk

Tel: 01823 275470

Email:

Information Sheets

1 Introduction & Index

2 Responsibilities of Elders and Trustees

3 Property Management & Repairs

4 Grants, Loans & Church Development

5 Manses

6 Letting Manses

7 Sharing Church Buildings

8 Energy Performance Certificates

9 Listed Buildings

PLATO PROPERTY HANDOOK

File / Reference number / Updated
Safety
The Children Act 1989 / S211
The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007 / S221 / Updated May 08
Dangerous Buildings - Emergency Procedure / S231
Electrical and Gas Safety / S241
Fire Safety / S251
The Food Safety Act 1990 / S261
Health and Safety / S271
The Licensing Act 2003 / S281
The Licensing Act 2003 (extended version) / S281
Asbestos in Church Buildings / S291
Radon / S301 / New in October 2008
Taxation
National Minimum Wage & Caretakers' Accommodation / S411 / Updated October 2008
Council Tax / S421
Non-Domestic Rates / S461
Trading and Tax / S471
VAT / S481
Water Charges / S491
Legal
Burial Grounds / S611
The Charities Act 1993 / S621
Disability Discrimination Act 1995 / S631
Land Ownership - including boundaries and Party Walls / S641
Use of Church premises by third parties / S651
Listed Buildings and Ecclesiastical Exemption / S661
Letting of Dwellings / S671
General
Advice on routine maintenance / S811
Crime prevention / S831
A Basic Guide to external fundraising / S841
Grants & Loans from the Church Buildings Fund / S851 / Updated May 2008
Insurance / S861

Additional documents:

Procedure for the Control of Works to Buildings

2

Revised: March 2009