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1654855

registered interest
date	20/07/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Church of England
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England takes to gather feedback from its congregation to inform future plans.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	195512
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2023 answer text <p>The Church of England comprises many independent charitable organisations that operate at a national, regional and local level.</p><p>Individual congregations are represented by the members of their local parochial church council (PCC), and issues can be raised at deanery, diocesan and national synod. Diocesan motions can be brought for debate to the Church of England’s (national) General Synod.</p><p>Consultations will often take place at a diocesan or national level when there are proposed changes in policy (for example the public consultation on the review of the Mission and Pastoral Measure), or for senior episcopal appointments. <br> <br> Where changes are proposed that require legislation in the General Synod on, for example, certain liturgies or relationships with other churches, the legislation providing for the change must be debated in every Diocesan Synod before a final vote is taken in the General Synod.</p><p>The National Church Institutions (NCIs) regularly monitor their projects and request feedback. A recent example is the 2022 report produced by Sir Robert Chote (<a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/review-lowest-income-communities-and-strategic-development-funding" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/review-lowest-income-communities-and-strategic-development-funding</a> ) assessing the impact of the Lowest Income Communities Fund and Strategic Development Funding. Following the Chote Report the Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council formed the new Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board. More information about it can be found here: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/new-board-oversee-unprecedented-church-england-investment-mission-and" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/new-board-oversee-unprecedented-church-england-investment-mission-and</a></p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 12/09/2023 20:04:30 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

1654856

registered interest
date	20/07/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Church of England
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church takes to (a) measure the effectiveness of its engagement initiatives and (b) make adjustments based on the feedback received.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	195513
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2023 answer text <p>The Church of England comprises many independent charitable organisations that operate at a national, regional and local level.</p><p>Individual congregations are represented by the members of their local parochial church council (PCC), and issues can be raised at deanery, diocesan and national synod. Diocesan motions can be brought for debate to the Church of England’s (national) General Synod.</p><p>Consultations will often take place at a diocesan or national level when there are proposed changes in policy (for example the public consultation on the review of the Mission and Pastoral Measure), or for senior episcopal appointments.</p><p>Where changes are proposed that require legislation in the General Synod on, for example, certain liturgies or relationships with other churches, the legislation providing for the change must be debated in every Diocesan Synod before a final vote is taken in the General Synod.</p><p>The National Church Institutions (NCIs) regularly monitor their projects and request feedback. A recent example is the 2022 report produced by Sir Robert Chote (<a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/review-lowest-income-communities-and-strategic-development-funding" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/review-lowest-income-communities-and-strategic-development-funding</a> ) assessing the impact of the Lowest Income Communities Fund and Strategic Development Funding. Following the Chote Report the Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council formed the new Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board. More information about it can be found here: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/new-board-oversee-unprecedented-church-england-investment-mission-and" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/new-board-oversee-unprecedented-church-england-investment-mission-and</a></p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 12/09/2023 20:07:24 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

1654859

registered interest
date	20/07/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Community Relations: Religion
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to foster inter-faith dialogue and collaboration with other religious communities.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	195515
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2023 answer text <p>Parish ministry is at the heart of Church of England ministry and mission, including in areas that are religiously diverse.</p><p>The 2005 report <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2019-05/presence_and_engagement_report-2005.pdf" target="_blank"><em>Presence and Engagement: the church’s task in a multi Faith society</em></a> gave special attention to the role of the parish church in areas where there was a high proportion of people from other religions. Following this the <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/about/building-relationships/interfaith-relations" target="_blank">Presence and Engagement</a> programme aims to support and resource the Church of England in its engagement serving all religious communities: ‘loving, serving and witnessing to people of all faiths in the name of Christ, and being enriched and renewed in our own faith by doing so’. This vision is put into practice by the Presence &amp; Engagement Programme, the Presence &amp; Engagement Task Group, and a network of Diocesan Inter Faith Advisers.</p><p>The Presence and Engagement programme enables clergy and lay people to act with confidence and sensitivity at times of tension across religious boundaries, including times when global politics impacts local relations. Support provided includes theological resources, for example, <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2019-11/godsunfailingwordweb.pdf" target="_blank"><em>Gods Unfailing Word,</em></a> which was published in 2019 and informs and educates Anglicans about the Christian-Jewish relationship, with the aim of better dialogue and stronger relationships between Christian and Jewish communities. These resources are also used in ongoing work with theological colleges to assist in the training of new priests.</p><p>The Archbishop of Canterbury is Patron of both the <a href="https://ccj.org.uk/sites/ccj.hocext.co.uk/files/2023-01/Holocaust%20Memorial%202023%20-V2.pdf" target="_blank">Council of Christians and Jews</a> (CCJ) and the <a href="https://www.christianmuslimforum.org/" target="_blank">Christian Muslim Forum.</a> Both organisations are actively working at national and grassroots levels to boost dialogue, understanding and collaboration between different religions.</p><p><a href="https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements/archbishop-justin-and-chief-rabbi-mirvis-join-final-meeting-good-faith" target="_blank"><em>In Good Faith</em></a> is a national initiative co-sponsored by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Chief Rabbi, which has been promoting dialogue and collaboration between Anglican priests and Orthodox rabbis since 2016.</p><p>The Church of England has a network of Inter Faith Advisers in most regions across England, who work to model, encourage and resource the development of positive relationships between different religious communities locally. Examples include building relationships through Church/Mosque Twinning partnerships, or collaborating on local foodbanks, as well as putting on educational programmes for clergy and lay people in the diocese. Two notable examples are:</p><ul><li>The <a href="https://www.stphilipscentre.co.uk/" target="_blank">St Philips Centre</a> in Leicester. A unique initiative that for over a decade has been working within the Christian community and across wider society, enabling ‘communities and individuals to encounter one another in meaningful ways, to build understanding and trust’. It is leading efforts across the region to ensure religion and belief are harnessed for the good of all.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="https://www.fncbham.org.uk/presence-and-engagement/" target="_blank">FNC in Birmingham</a> helps churches in their engagement with people of other faiths, whether through mission, evangelism, dialogue or social action, and is part of <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/about/work-other-faiths/about-presence-engagement" target="_blank">The Church of England’s Presence and Engagement Programme</a>. The <a href="https://www.fncbham.org.uk/birmingham-conversations/" target="_blank">Birmingham Conversations</a> are an example of an FNC initiative which creates safe space for people of all faiths and none to discuss issues of faith and public life.</li></ul><p>The Coronation of King Charles III included participation by other faith representatives for the first time, a very public affirmation of the national role of the Church of England in serving all religious communities.</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 12/09/2023 20:00:47 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

1653938

registered interest
date	18/07/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Churches: Closures
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, how many churches have been closed by the Church of England in each of the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	Ealing Central and Acton
tabling member printed	Dr Rupa Huq
uin	194796
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2023 answer text <p>Between 2010 and 2019, 209 consecrated churches were formally closed, which amounted to just over 1%. Since the 1990s the rate of closure has remained steady at 20-25 per year out of a total of around 16,000 church buildings. It is important to note that new churches are also being built and that some congregations meet in other kinds of buildings.</p><p>More information can be found in the annual reports of the Church Commissioners, which are available in the House of Commons Library, or online here, in the sections for ‘Mission, Pastoral and Church Property’ or ‘Pastoral Administration’: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/church-commissioners-england/how-we-are-governed/publications" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/church-commissioners-england/how-we-are-governed/publications</a></p><p>Churches are first and foremost places of worship. The 2017 Taylor Review into sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals ( <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/669667/Taylor_Review_Final.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/669667/Taylor_Review_Final.pdf</a> ) found that the Government could also enable the church to serve local communities better by reviewing planning law around listed buildings, to enable Local Authorities to think more imaginatively about diversification and wider use. For over a decade the Church of England’s own ‘open and sustainable churches’ programme, has encouraged churches to consider partnering with a wide variety of community resources (e.g. post offices, village shops, children’s play areas, credit unions, foodbanks, co-working spaces) in sharing space: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/sharing-your-building-and-finding" target="_blank">Sharing your building and finding partners | The Church of England</a></p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 12/09/2023 20:19:22 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4511 label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq

1653939

registered interest
date	18/07/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Churches: Repairs and Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what the Church of England's estimate is of the capital cost of outstanding repairs for parish churches.
tabling member constituency	Ealing Central and Acton
tabling member printed	Dr Rupa Huq
uin	194797
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2023 answer text <p>The National Church Institutions do not hold statistics on outstanding repairs for parish churches, collectively or by diocese.</p><p>The Church Commissioners and Archbishops' Council have agreed funding of £11 million for 2023-25 in support of Buildings for Mission, which includes £2m for places of worship maintenance/repairs, and funding for up to 20 support officers to work with communities on the care of their church buildings. This is alongside a one-off commitment of £190 million (over nine years) to support the whole Church, including its buildings, in the transition towards Net Zero 2030.</p><p>12,500 church buildings are listed, with 45% of all England's Grade I listed buildings being cathedrals and churches. The average annual cost for the maintenance and repairs to parish churches alone is estimated at £150 million, and the maintenance of our churches across the country is mostly financed by generous local donors and volunteers. Support and advice, including on available grants, is available from ChurchCare: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare(opens in a new tab)</a></p><p>The Church remains grateful for the continuation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme as it was for the Culture Recovery Fund. Money invested in church buildings has positive benefits to the wider community: the 2021 House of Good report by the National Churches Trust (<a href="https://www.houseofgood.nationalchurchestrust.org/" target="_blank">https://www.houseofgood.nationalchurchestrust.org/(opens in a new tab)</a>) found that &quot;the annual social and economic value of church buildings to the UK is worth around £55 billion. This sum, calculated using the latest HM Treasury Green Book guidance, includes the contribution churches make to wellbeing and to local economies.&quot;</p><p>By means of an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill in the House of Lords, the Government has recently agreed to make it clear that churches are legally able to access Local Authority grant funding. This clarification is very welcome and comes in response to many years of advocacy by church, heritage and Local Authority groups. The removal of ambiguity means that Local Authorities and parish councils in England will enable seed funding to repair, restore and upgrade facilities, helping churches to continue to serve their local communities as worship spaces, community hubs, and through social action projects.</p><p>The Church is committed to engaging with the Government on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2017 Taylor Review into the sustainability of church buildings (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-taylor-review-sustainability-of-english-churches-and-cathedrals" target="_blank">The Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)</a>)</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous grouped question UIN 194798 question first answered 12/09/2023 20:25:15 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4511 label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq

1653940

registered interest
date	18/07/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Churches: Repairs and Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what the Church of England's estimate is of the capital cost of outstanding repairs for parish churches in each diocese.
tabling member constituency	Ealing Central and Acton
tabling member printed	Dr Rupa Huq
uin	194798
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2023 answer text <p>The National Church Institutions do not hold statistics on outstanding repairs for parish churches, collectively or by diocese.</p><p>The Church Commissioners and Archbishops' Council have agreed funding of £11 million for 2023-25 in support of Buildings for Mission, which includes £2m for places of worship maintenance/repairs, and funding for up to 20 support officers to work with communities on the care of their church buildings. This is alongside a one-off commitment of £190 million (over nine years) to support the whole Church, including its buildings, in the transition towards Net Zero 2030.</p><p>12,500 church buildings are listed, with 45% of all England's Grade I listed buildings being cathedrals and churches. The average annual cost for the maintenance and repairs to parish churches alone is estimated at £150 million, and the maintenance of our churches across the country is mostly financed by generous local donors and volunteers. Support and advice, including on available grants, is available from ChurchCare: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare(opens in a new tab)</a></p><p>The Church remains grateful for the continuation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme as it was for the Culture Recovery Fund. Money invested in church buildings has positive benefits to the wider community: the 2021 House of Good report by the National Churches Trust (<a href="https://www.houseofgood.nationalchurchestrust.org/" target="_blank">https://www.houseofgood.nationalchurchestrust.org/(opens in a new tab)</a>) found that &quot;the annual social and economic value of church buildings to the UK is worth around £55 billion. This sum, calculated using the latest HM Treasury Green Book guidance, includes the contribution churches make to wellbeing and to local economies.&quot;</p><p>By means of an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill in the House of Lords, the Government has recently agreed to make it clear that churches are legally able to access Local Authority grant funding. This clarification is very welcome and comes in response to many years of advocacy by church, heritage and Local Authority groups. The removal of ambiguity means that Local Authorities and parish councils in England will enable seed funding to repair, restore and upgrade facilities, helping churches to continue to serve their local communities as worship spaces, community hubs, and through social action projects.</p><p>The Church is committed to engaging with the Government on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2017 Taylor Review into the sustainability of church buildings (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-taylor-review-sustainability-of-english-churches-and-cathedrals" target="_blank">The Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)</a>)</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous grouped question UIN 194797 question first answered 12/09/2023 20:25:15 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4511 label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq

1653437

registered interest
date	17/07/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Independent Safeguarding Board
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, with reference to the announcement by the Archbishop of York of an independent inquiry into the decision to close down the Independent Safeguarding Board, if he will publish a copy of the inquiry's finings once available.
tabling member constituency	Exeter
tabling member printed	Mr Ben Bradshaw
uin	194316
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2023 answer text <p>The Archbishop of York has committed that the findings of this review will be made public.</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 25/07/2023 15:23:48 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	230 label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw

1651547

registered interest
date	10/07/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Church of England: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to ensure transparency and accountability in its financial operations.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	193110
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2023 answer text <p>The Archbishops’ Council and Church Commissioners are accountable to the General Synod where their annual reports and spending plans are debated and reviewed. Additionally the Church Commissioners lay their annual report before Parliament for consideration, copies of which are available in the Library and on the Church of England Website. <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/church-commissioners-for-england-annual-report-2022.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/church-commissioners-for-england-annual-report-2022.pdf</a> As Second Church Estates Commissioner, I answer to the House of Commons for matters that include the operational and financial activities of the National Church Institutions.</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 14/07/2023 22:57:40 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

1651548

registered interest
date	10/07/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Religion: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to support (a) education and (b) the promotion of values-based learning in schools.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	193111
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2023 answer text <p>Church of England Schools provide an education to approximately one million children a day. A quarter of all primary schools, 1,540 academies, 280 Multi Academy Trusts, and 500 independent schools across England have a Church of England ethos.</p><p>The Church of England Foundation for Education Leadership supports teachers, headteachers and senior management teams alongside 22,500 governors to develop the skills they need. More information about the Foundation is available here: <a href="https://www.cefel.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.cefel.org.uk/</a></p><p>In each diocese a Diocesan Board of Education supports church schools, which represents an annual investment of over £15 million</p><p>The Church of England vision for education focuses on the development of the common good for the whole community, prioritising the development of four key areas: wisdom, hope, community and dignity. More information about the vision, including detail about how it is lived out in schools, is available here: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/vision-education" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/vision-education</a></p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 14/07/2023 23:04:24 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

1651549

registered interest
date	10/07/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Churches: Repairs and Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to (a) preserve and (b) restore (i) historic church buildings and (ii) heritage sites.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	193112
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2023 answer text <p>In 2020 the Church of England assessed the volume of work needed in its churches and cathedrals for preservation, repair and maintenance. The pandemic caused a considerable delay in the ability of parish churches and cathedrals to undertake repairs, which has caused a backlog of work. The Cathedral and Church Buildings Division of the National Church Institutions assists parishes, dioceses and cathedrals in assessing the nature and priorities of the work required and supports them with guidance and advice.</p><p>The work of preservation, repair and maintenance is predominantly undertaken at a local level by thousands of unpaid volunteers, with financial help and support from donors and local grant-making charities.</p><p>By means of an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, the Government has recently agreed to clarify the law on churches being able to access Local Authority grants. This is very welcome and comes in response to many years of advocacy by church, heritage and Local Authority groups. The removal of ambiguity means that Local Authorities and parish councils in England will be able to issue grants to churches that will enable seed funding to repair, restore and upgrade facilities, which will enable churches to continue to serve their local communities as worship spaces, community hubs, and through social action projects.</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 14/07/2023 22:58:56 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight