Spring 2012 - issue 9

While the popular understanding is thatchurchwardens are there tomaintain the fabric ofthe parish church – and how grateful we are thatmany of you specialise in that department! – pleasenever forget that you are all partners in mission withyour incumbent or priest in charge. Mission, God’smission, and outreach to the wider community,coupled with worship and service, is the essentialpurpose of the church, its raison d’être. All theseaspects of parish life fall within the ambit of the roleand authority of churchwardens, but it often falls toyou to ensure that mission is given adequatepriority, both in the life of the parish in general andwithin the PCC.We cannot emphasise enough thevalue of keeping your Mission Action Plans (MAP)under review – these can be a vital tool ingenerating enthusiasm and achievement.

One of the significant developments of 2012has been the integration of the GIS/PIPs system(Global Information System/Parish InformationProfile) with the diocesan website. Thiswonderfully accessible resource, will provide youand your PCC with up-to-date information about

the demographics and make-up of your parish.It will become an essential tool for PCCs inreviewing MAPs and preparing parish profiles.To access this part of the website, pleasetelephone Samson Scoble at Church House –details overleaf.

This year brings an unusual set of changeswithin the life of the diocese that will affect us all.During the early part of the year, culminating inApril, we will have had an opportunity to sayfarewell and to offer our good wishes to BishopJohn on his retirement as Bishop of Chichester.The appointment of a new diocesan bishop iswell underway and we look forward to that newleadership and the challenges it will bring.Furthermore, later this year will see theretirement of Bishop Wallace.

Formany, the last year has beenmarked by financialpressures and a struggle to balance the books.Congratulations and thanks to the greatmajorityof parishes, some in very difficult circumstances,that have risen again to the challenge offunding the mission of the diocese in Sussex.

Perhaps a greater practical concern for asmaller group of parishes has been thecontinuing prevalence of metal theft with allits consequential losses and aggravations.The Diocesan Chancellor, Mark Hill QC, hasrecently given new directions which have clarifiedthe legal steps necessary to deal with what canbe both a heart-breaking and damaging violationof the integrity of a much-loved building. Pleasealways seek advice from your archdeacon whocan authorise temporary measures to ensure thebuilding remains as weather-tight as possible.The required scheme of repair may be dictatedby the listing of the building and the desirabilityor not of using synthetic materials, but althoughsmaller repairs may be permitted under the MinorWorks Regulations, a dispensation from facultyor the grant of an interim faculty can provide anexpeditious means of early re-instatement.Ecclesiastical’s initiative in leading the way inthe field of deterrent and protective alarmsystems is very welcome.

One area that is often of real concern is whena parish runs out of burial space. Carefulconsideration needs to be given to the possibleextension of churchyards or the use of availablespaces, but sometimes it is possible to look atlarger-scale reburial in areas previouslythought ‘untouchable’. Thank you to the DACArchaeologist, Vivienne Coad, for offeringguidance – see her article inside – and doremember that it is always worth exploringpossibilities by speaking to your archdeacon.

Thank you again to Ecclesiastical for producingthis edition of the Archdeacons’ Visitation Newsand for its support for parishes and peoplethroughout the diocese. We are particularlygrateful for the kindness, attention andexpertise of our locally resident EcclesiasticalInsurance Consultant and Surveyor, RebeccaChantler. For the rest of this year she is awayon maternity leave (congratulations!) and so allenquiries should be directed to Paul Franklin,Regional Field Manager – tel: 01278 456928,mobile: 07793 369909, email:paul.franklin@ecclesiastical.com

For general enquires or claims enquiriesyou may also contact the underwritingdepartment on 0845 777 3322 or by email:churches@ecclesiastical.com

Our thanks, then, for all you do aschurchwardens and especially for the loveand support shown to clergy. With everygood wish and blessing for your yearin office.

archdeacons’visitation news

Diocese of Chichester

The Ven Douglas McKittrickArchdeacon of Chichesterarchchichester@diochi.org.uk01273 425799

The Ven Roger CombesArchdeacon of Horshamarchhorsham@diochi.org.uk01403 262710

The Ven Philip JonesArchdeacon of Lewes & Hastingsarchlandh@diochi.org.uk01273 479530

Dear churchwardensThank you for taking up (again, for some of you!) the office ofchurchwarden, a venerable office and role in church life, and one that is ofcrucial importance at what is an increasingly difficult time for the Church.

www.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters

Two hundred and eleven years ago it wasthe local clergy who collected parish data aspart of the first national census. Much haschanged since then. In this article, SampsonScoble examines how a new diocesanresource will re-invigorate our engagementwith census statistics.

Our new Parish Information and Profile System(PIPS for short) provides a unique, fact-basedinformation resource based on recognisedstatistics published and validated by thegovernment. This resource is designed tocomplement the extensive local knowledgeheld by parish clergy and volunteers.

Parish ministry is demanding. Thanks to theunwavering commitment shown by parish priestsand church people, the physical and spiritualwellbeing of congregations and the widercommunity remains the Church’s top priority.From July, PIPS will be made available to allparish clergy and officers within the diocese asa key diocesan investment intended to supportthis valued local work.

What is a GIS?PIPS is a computer-based geographicalinformation system (GIS) that can store, analyse,and display geographical information from varioussources, linked together by a common location.

PIPS can be used to inform church aspirations,identifying the opportunities for outreachactivities or targeting neighbourhoodsexperiencing the greatest social need. PIPS addsa new dimension to Mission Action Planning.

It is also a vital tool for supporting grant andfunding applications. Parishes may have theconfidence that a funding body will accept thevalidity of the information. Additionally, it is a toolthat will be helpful when parish profiles areprepared during interregnums.

Beyond the church, the use ofGIS is increasing at anexponential rate. Many organisations employ GIStechniques for a profusion of diverse applications:the analysis of archaeological discovery, theselection of new sites for supermarkets or theplanning of transmitter locations ahead of theswitchover to digital television.

Within the Church, the Diocese of London, theDiocese of Southwark and the United ReformedChurch have commissioned a shared GIS,underpinning a comprehensive social audit intothe future role of the Church within London.Recently, the system has proved its worth aspart of a major new regeneration initiative forTottenham Hale.

How does it work?Users who access our diocesan PIPS-GIS systemwill first see a map of the diocese based onGoogle Maps. Themap acts as a backgroundonto which the user can overlay different data sets,known as layers. Layers can be selected to bedisplayed on the map in any practical combination.

The system holds up-to-date representations oflocal government and ecclesiastical boundaries.The locations of church and school buildingswithin the diocese are also available.

Demographic information can be displayedvisually illustrating population characteristicsby parish.

Tailoring the resourceOver the past three months I have been co-ordinating the testing of the system, and I wouldlike to take this opportunity to thank all thoseinvolved. The feedback received has led tosignificant improvements to the system.The testing and release of PIPS-GIS merelyrepresent initial steps; further statistical updatesand system enhancements are already outlined.

In order to tailor the resource further to theneeds of the Church community, users areinvited to contribute their ideas and feedback.This could be anything from suggestions for newlayers, requests for added functionality orimproving the look and feel of the system.

What if I need help?Any new computerised system feels daunting atfirst glance! So Church House is providing adedicated helpdesk to offer users a guiding handand help resolve any issues that you mightexperience with the system. You can access it byphone or email (see details in the ‘How you canget involved’ panel). There is also an online helpresource providing illustrated user guides, alongwith detailed information on the provenance ofthe statistics.

How you can get involved?The Parish Information and Profile System,details for contacting the helpdesk and theonline help resource are all accessible via thediocesan website:www.diochi.org.uk/pips-gis

Further information on PIPS-GIS can beobtained from Sampson Scoble at ChurchHouse, Hove on 01273 425796 orsampson.scoble@diochi.org.uk

Assistance with project funding or communityengagement can be obtained from Barry Northat Church House, Hove on 01273 421021 orbarry.north@diochi.org.uk

“The map’s ability to show areas of deprivationwithin each parish will be very useful for thoseclergy concerned with mission outreach, as wellas assisting applications for grants.”

“Using the familiarity of Google maps to presentdiocesan mission data in such a user-friendlymanner gives wider access to this essentialinformation to help people make informed decisionsabout the use of resources for ministry and mission.”

Peter Wilson, Strategy and Development Unit,Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council.

“...for a rapid introduction to a new benefice orfor someone considering moving to a new parish,it would be very useful. Hopefully it also showsChurch House how different the parishes are andhow one solution does not fit all of them.”

Edward Mynors, Reader – The Octagon Groupof Parishes.

Diocese puts parishes on the map!User-friendly data tool could aid church growth

Useful DAC dates2012Agenda closing date 23 MayDate of meeting 14 JuneSite visit 21 June

Agenda closing date 20 JuneDate of meeting 12 JulySite visit 19 July

No August meeting

Agenda closing date 22 AugustDate of meeting 13 SeptemberSite visit 20 September

Agenda closing date 19 SeptemberDate of meeting 11 OctoberSite visit 18 October

Agenda closing date 17 OctoberDate of meeting 8 NovemberSite visit 15 November

Agenda closing date 21 NovemberDate of meeting 13 DecemberSite visit No visit

2013No January meetingSite visit 17 January

Agenda closing date 23 JanuaryDate of meeting 14 FebruarySite visit 21 February

Agenda closing date 20 FebruaryDate of meeting 14 MarchSite visit 21 March

Agenda closing date 20 MarchDate of meeting 11 AprilSite visit 18 April

Agenda closing date 17 AprilDate of meeting 9 MaySite visit 23 May

Training eventsChurchwardens’ training eveningwith the Archdeacon of Horsham:

Thursday 28 June 2012 7pm for7.30pm St Francis Church & Hall,Priory Road, Hassocks BN6 8PS

Treasurers’ training evening with theArchdeacon of Lewes & Hastings:

Wednesday 27 June 2012 at 7.30pmThe Magnet Centre, Christ Church,St Leonards, London Road,St Leonards-on-Sea TN38 6GL

Secretaries’ training evening withthe Archdeacon of Chichester:

Thursday 21 June 2012 at 7.30pmDiocesan Church House, 211 ChurchNew Church Road, Hove BN3 4ED

Last year was the worst on record for thenumber of claims for the theft of metalfrom churches, with claims exceeding2,500 by the end of the year. In fact, overthe past four years, metal theft claims fromchurches Ecclesiastical insure have nowexceeded £25m, with over 9,000 claims.

More than seven churches a day are fallingvictim to the attacks† and, unless action istaken now, the wave of metal theft raids canonly continue throughout 2012 causinguntold distress to our parish communities.

This is why Ecclesiastical has recentlylaunched the ‘Hands Off Our Church Roofs’anti-metal theft campaign, to deter criminalsand protect places of worship from this crime.

What is the ‘Hands Off Our ChurchRoofs’ campaign?

Ecclesiastical is determined to do all it can toreduce metal theft. Over the last two years,Ecclesiastical has been piloting the use ofelectronic roof security systems on churchesin metal theft hot spots. The systems haveproven to be very effective at preventingfurther losses and the insurer is now takingthis initiative to the next stage. To demonstrate

the effectiveness of roof alarms on awidespread basis, at a local level, and toencourage more churches to install alarms,Ecclesiastical is currently investing £500,000to install systems on selected ‘at risk’churches across dioceses in England,Wales and Scotland.

Once Ecclesiastical has protected theselected churches in a diocese by installingthe alarm systems, they will let all the otherchurches in the diocese know by sendingthem an information pack. The pack willcontain information about the alarm system,including details of where parishes can goto see a system in operation near them(Ecclesiastical recommends that you seefor yourself how effective the system is).It is expected that this will encourage manymore parishes to install alarms as a solutionto the church metal theft problem.

To help deter thieves further, the informationpacks will include two weather-resistant,glow-in-the-dark campaign posters (see pictureabove), which Ecclesiastical is encouraging allparishes to display prominently. You can alsodownload a copy of the poster atwww.ecclesiastical.com/handsoff

Roof alarms – key benefits

� Highly effective at deterring metal theftas demonstrated in recent trials in thefthot-spot areas.

� The system is specifically designed todetect and deter intruders before anydamage is caused.

� The technology used is virtually invisibleand reversible.

� Passive infrared (PIR) motion detectorsprevent false alarms.

� The system requires no userintervention and works for years.

� Large roof areas can be covered costeffectively.

� If the security system is activated, aplanned response based on yourspecific instructions is carried out – perfectfor buildings in remote or rural locations.

If you install an Ecclesiastical-approved roofsecurity system and have also complied withthe theft of external metal policy condition,Ecclesiastical may be able to increase yourmetal theft cover, depending on your individualcircumstances. The roof alarm FAQsmentionedbelow include more information about this.

More information

If you would like to arrange a free*no-obligation alarm survey for your church,or if you have any queries about the alarmsystem, please contact us on 0845 600 9659(9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday excludingbank holidays) or by email atroofalarms@ecclesiastical.com

For more information about the campaignincluding a video, roof alarm FAQs and a toolwhich will help you understand how at riskyour church is from metal theft, please visitwww.ecclesiastical.com/handsoff

Other ways toprotect your churchTop tips include:

� Applying a forensically basedsecurity marking product, such asSmartWater** to external metal,prominently displaying associatedsignage and registering the kit withthe supplier. For SmartWatersupplies (at a 40% discount),please call 01952 204 102.

� Engaging with your community –join the local Neighbourhood Watchscheme and urge the church’sneighbours to keep a watchful eyeout for anything suspicious aroundthe church.

� Make theft more difficult by removingany easy access onto building roofs,such as water butts, waste bins andtall trees located near to the building.Remember to get any necessaryapproval for tree cutting e.g. from thelocal authority, before work starts.

More advice and detailedguidance notes can be found atwww.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters

† In 2011, according to claims figures available up to theend of December. *UK mainland only – travel expensesmay be applicable offshore. **The registration and use ofSmartWater, or an alternative forensic marking systemapproved by us, is a policy condition on both ourParishguard and Hallguard policies.

Hands OffOur Church Roofs!Ecclesiastical launches a new campaignto fight metal theft...

Ecclesiastical is proud to reachits 125-year milestone in 2012.The anniversary is a greatopportunity to celebrate, butalso a time to look back andplan for the future.

During this important year,Ecclesiastical will be providing evengreater support to the Church,charities and the not-for-profit sector,both nationally and locally. For example,one of the initiatives the insurer isundertaking is to provide funds toenable the Church of England toproduce a new and improvedChurchcare website. The websiteis designed to help everyone involvedin caring for church buildings throughoffering practical advice, guidanceand links to other useful sourcesof information.

In a world that seems increasingly totake the short term view, 125 yearsis a long time in anyone’s book.Ecclesiastical is proud to have playeda part for such a long time in helpingchurches to make a difference in localcommunities and looks forward tocontinuing to do so for many yearsto come.

To visit the Churchcare website,please visit www.churchcare.co.uk

For more information aboutEcclesiastical’s 125 celebrations,please visitwww.ecclesiastical.com/125

Both the Church of England and theChurch in Wales aim to reduce carbonemissions by 80% by 2050 (in line withgovernment targets) to help meet theglobal challenge set by climate change.To that end, both Churches are runningenvironmental campaigns – in EnglandShrinking the Footprint and in Wales

CHASE (Church Action on Sustaining theEnvironment).

Churches nationwide are looking at ways theycan reduce their carbon impact and greentechnologies are being considered to save,or even generate, energy. One approach toenergy generation is to install a photovoltaic(PV) system. For any church consideringinstalling such a system, Ecclesiastical hasproduced a brief guide which is available atwww.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters

Ian Giles thoroughly enjoys visitingchurches – so much so that he chosea career which allows him to visit mostchurches within 100 miles or soof Bristol!

Ian is an InsuranceConsultant andSurveyor (IC&S),part of a team ofhighly respectedprofessionals whowork for Ecclesiasticaladvising PCCs on

health & safety risk management andthe insurance of their church premises.

With over 30 years in the insuranceindustry, Ian, like his colleagues acrossthe country, is qualified to tackle most riskmanagement issues churches raise with

them. “People usually want to know howI value their church and what impact it willhave on their premium. Rebuilding worksand repairs are other major issues.”

Ian and his colleagues have a rollingprogramme of church visits, howeverteam members are often called out morefrequently to inspect damage, the aftermathof a metal theft or building modifications.IC&S teams also deliver tailoredpresentations on topics including fire andsecurity, health & safety, metal theft andinsurance protection to supplementpublished guidance notes and are happyto undertake presentations on otherrelated topics.

To find out who your local IC&S is, visitwww.ecclesiastical.com/churchmattersand enter your postcode.

Like any other organisation, churches aresubject to health and safety legislation,risk assessments are required for a widerange of activities and there is always thegeneral issue of security to be addressed.

As part of its service to the Church,Ecclesiastical has set up a dedicated websitecalled ‘Church Matters’ where you can find awealth of advice and practical assistance onthese issues.

With spring now here, many churches will beturning their attention to essential buildingwork whether that involves carrying outgeneral repairs or undertaking majoralterations. If you are contemplating anysuch work, it is essential that you adviseEcclesiastical before any works start. This iseasy to do by using the on-line CommercialBuilding Works questionnaire that you willfind on the Church Matters website.

Church Matters also includes a range ofdownloadable guidance notes on topics suchas, security, health & safety and fire safety,together with a range of useful interactiveforms that you can personalise for yourchurch and save for your records.

To find out more, visitwww.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters

Support for you at‘Church Matters’...As well as addressing spiritual matters, today’s churches are facedwith what can seem like a maze of administrative and legislative issues.

New technologies –new challenges

A passion for churches

Interactiveforms

NEW

Are you headingfor a fall?It may have been just a small set ofsteps, but it was tall enough to sendEcclesiastical Insurance Consultantand Surveyor Peter Halden crashingto the concrete floor of a church,smacking his head on a radiatoras he fell.

“The steps Peter was given were tooweak for the job,” said Bob Johnson,Ecclesiastical’s Technical Risk ServicesManager. “He’s lucky not to have beenseriously injured.We recommend thatPCCs check our guidance notes onworking from heights. If the stepsPeter climbed had been of commercialstrength, they would have supported himproperly. If you need to use a ladder, forexample to change light bulbs high in theroof, these need attaching to an anchorpoint to ensure they are safe for use.”

Further advice is included in theHealth & Safety guidance notes atwww.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters

Chancel RepairLiability – a trusteeresponsibilityParishes have until October 2013 toinvestigate the position of their churchrelating to chancel repair liability and,if appropriate, note their interest withthe Land Registry.

Because of a well-publicised court case,Aston Cantlow PCC vWallbank (2001),the Government included provisions relatingto this liability under the Land RegistrationAct 2002. Under this order chancel repairliability needs to be registered as a notice(or caution in respect of unregistered land)before 13 October 2013. Failure to do thiscould risk losing the benefit of a traditionaland valuable gift.

Where a PCC is a charity, its trustees have aduty to safeguard its assets, which wouldinclude registering the chancel repair liability.Failure to register could render trusteespersonally liable for any shortfall in the costof repairs that would have otherwise beencovered by chancel repair liability.

To find out more about the insuranceimplications of chancel repair liability,please call 0845 777 3322.

The first requirement for electrical safety is toensure that wiring is up to date and thereafterthat it is inspected and tested at minimumintervals of five years. For additional safety,routine checks should be carried out on anannual basis.

While routine checks can be carried out bysomeone who is competent to understandthe electrical system, this person need not beelectrically skilled. For the five-year inspectionand test, however, the services of a suitablyqualified professional are required.Ecclesiastical recommends that this should bean NICEIC (National Inspection Council forElectrical Installation Contracting) registeredcontractor, a member of the ElectricalContractors Association (ECA) or a memberof The National Association of ProfessionalInspectors and Testers (NAPIT). Registrationor membership must be on a full scope basis.

For more information, please downloadthe Health & Safety policy with guidancedocument atwww.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters

Don’t trip up onhealth and safety...

Electrical safety matters...Faulty electrical wiring is the second biggest cause of fires in churchesafter arson and, according to Ecclesiastical, the full scale of theproblem is difficult to measure because in some cases the damage isso severe that the fire authorities are unable to pinpoint the specificcause of the fire.

Minor accidents can happen in any buildingto which the general public has access –and the older the building, the greater therisk of what the insurance industry terms‘slips, trips and falls’. In a litigious society,minor, sometimes spurious, accidents canexpose churches to potentially significantpublic liability claims.

With this in mind, the importance of havingup-to-date health & safety records becomesevident, as Bob Johnson of Ecclesiastical

explains: “It is vital to have a specificindividual responsible for health & safetywithin the PCC. It is their responsibility toensure the completion of the necessary riskassessment forms which will be the mainform of defence against any spuriousinsurance claim.”

Health & safety risk should be a regularagenda item at PCCmeetings and furtherguidance on this topic can be found atwww.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters

Do you have a charity linked to your church?If so, is it insured with Ecclesiastical? Youmight not know, but Ecclesiastical has been insuringchurch-related charities and voluntary organisations for many years. With a dedicated charitypolicy Ecclesiastical protects you, your property, your activities, your volunteers and your trustees.

For more information, please call 0845 777 3322 and quote ‘AV news’.

Home insurancefrom one of the best

It is widely acceptedthat endorsementfrom Which?, the UK’sleading consumerrights group,

recognises companies that offer thebest products and services. That iswhy Ecclesiastical is particularly proudto have been named again in January2012 as a Which? ‘RecommendedProvider’ for home insurance.

For members of the church communitythere is even more good news becauseyou can save over 30% on Ecclesiastical’sHome Insurance when buying a combinedbuilding and contents policy online(subject to minimum premiums and termsand conditions).

For your free no-obligation quote, pleasecall 0800 917 3345 and quote ‘AV news’(8.00am to 6.00pm weekdays) or visitwww.ecclesiastical.com/churchworker

Renewal date not due yet?Simply go towww.ecclesiastical.com/avnews and enter your details.Ecclesiastical will be in touch with aquote nearer the time.

Each PCC is the custodian of parish funds andmembers are charity trustees with a duty tomanage and use their financial resources toachieve their greatest potential. Part of atrustee’s role – indeed a legal obligation – is toperiodically review investments to ensure theyremain suitable according to the Council’sinvestment policy statement. Responsibilitiesalso include exercise of skill and care whenmaking investment decisions, deciding on theright investments, their suitability and diversity– and deciding when to take expert advice.

Ecclesiastical Financial Advisory Services (EFAS),part of Ecclesiastical, is a national company of

Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) whospecialise in financial advice for the clergy andchurch people. EFAS advice takes into accountthe Church of England Ethical InvestmentAdvisory Group and the Church in Wales EthicalPolicy Statements and any key ethical criteriaset by individual investors.

For parishes with funds typically of £25,000 ormore available, EFAS can help review investmentpolicy and advise whether it may be possible toachieve better returns than existing depositarrangements. The aim is to help parishes buildan ethical investment approach, generatingincome while avoiding excessive or unnecessaryrisk. Because of its unique understanding,EFAS can also advise individuals on the legalresponsibilities of being a warden and treasurer inrelation to church finances. The aim is to build apartnership supporting treasurers in their financialstewardship responsibilities and help maximiseparish income. Please remember the value ofinvestments can fall as well as rise and you maynot get back the amount originally invested.

To find out more about EFAS, please call0800 107 0190 and quote ‘AV news’ orvisit www.ecclesiastical.com/getadvice

Ecclesiastical is continuing to provide ‘bagsfor life’ for use by collectors and volunteersduring the UK’s biggest house-to-housecharity collection. In addition to that, thecompany has introduced a scheme that couldsee Christian Aid benefiting from thousandsof pounds in additional donations.

The idea is very simple: Ecclesiastical isasking Christian Aid supporters to let themknow the month in which their householdinsurance policy is due for renewal. For everydate they receive, the company will donate50p to Christian Aid.

You too can get involved in supportingChristian Aid by letting Ecclesiastical knowyour home insurance renewal date and

encouraging your friends and family to dothe same.

Just call Ecclesiastical on 0800 917 4154 orvisit www.ecclesiastical.com/caw for moreinformation or to leave a renewal date.

Her Majesty QueenElizabeth ll DiamondJubileeGas beacons insurance cover

In June 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIwill become only the second monarch in Britishhistory to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee. As partof the celebrations, 2,012 beacons will be litacross the country on 4th June, including somegas beacons on church and cathedral towers.The beacons are fuelled by liquid petroleum gas(LPG), which is extremely flammable and readilycombines with air to form an explosive mix.

Ecclesiastical would like to offer churchesassurance that insurance cover is in place butasks that if you are intending to use gasbeacons on your church building, please call0845 777 3322. Ecclesiastical can then talk toyou about your cover and offer you tailoredadvice in addition to the dedicated riskmanagement advice which can be found atwww.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters

Is it time to give yourparish funds a makeover?With interest rates remaining at record lows and costs rising, the needfor careful stewardship of parish funds has never been more critical.

Ecclesiastical supports Christian AidEcclesiastical is again working with Christian Aid in 2012 to support itswork in the fight against global poverty and has introduced a newmoney-raising initiative.

Churchyards have been used forburials, often for many centuries, andthe absence of gravestones (sometimesthe result of quite recent removal tofacilitate churchyard maintenance) maygive a misleading impression that thereare no surviving vaults or graves. A kerbstone almost hidden by grass or aslightly curved earthwork may indicatethe presence of a burial vault, but evenan area of flat green sward can hidestructures beneath.

Vaults, sometimes containing a number offamily burials, often have their tops inchesbeneath the ground surface. Sometimesthese vaults contain wooden coffins, buthigh-status burials in vaults are likely to bein lead coffins.

Any proposal to re-use an open area ofchurchyard must take account of thepossible presence of old vaults and theneed to leave these undisturbed.A graveyard plan may help identify old plots,but will not necessarily provide informationon the location of vaults. Geophysicaltechniques, such as magnetometer andresistivity surveys or ground penetratingradar, can help detect below-groundstructures and voids – surveys carried outusing such techniques do not requireconsent – and the first two techniques areto be used for this purpose in the graveyardat All Saints, Herstmonceux.

This parish has well-kept records andgraveyard plans, but many do not have suchmaterial to hand. The County Record Officein either Chichester or Lewes should beapproached to ascertain if useful parishrecords have been deposited. As atHerstmonceux, it is often apparent on theground that earlier clearance of gravestonesand box tombs, although lending apleasingly open aspect to the churchyard,leaves many questions unanswered.

Many parishes today seek to use or re-useareas of churchyard for burials, and space isoften at a premium. It is open to anincumbent and PCC, after making fullenquiries, to apply for a faculty to authoriseclearance if necessary of headstones ormonuments and to allow further burials totake place. Necessary enquiries include

locating descendants of those buried, e.g.by documentary searches and advertising inthe parish magazine and local newspapers.Headstones and monuments generally arethe legal property of the person who erectedthem or their heirs or heirs-at-law – theymay or may not be ‘family’. If such ownerscan be identified, their consent for removalis required, but a faculty may be grantedwhether or not such consent is forthcomingin some circumstances. Generally, parisheshave to deal with older headstones etc inrespect of which there is often no prospectof tracing an owner or descendant. TheChancellor needs to be satisfied in all casesthat appropriate attempts have been made.

This type of proposal will need to involve theparish inspecting architect and the adviceand assistance of the DACArchaeologicalAdvisor. The kind of preliminary work referredto above, utilising modern technology, may bevital in enabling the PCC to settle on the rightscheme to meet the particular needs of theparish and then to formulate the facultyapplication. Your archdeacon and architectwill be happy to discuss all these questionsin the first instance.

Shortage of burial space?A perennial question addressed by Vivienne Coad, DACArchaeologist, and Archdeacon Philip Jones.

Andrew CraftProperty Director –Has overall responsibility forparsonage houses andadministration of glebe property.Tel: 01273 425683

Les BrownAssistant to Andrew Craft –Carries out many quinquennialparsonage inspections and otherwork on parsonages and glebeland. Tel: 01273 425683

Beth HaleActing Secretary of DAC –Can advise on DAC mattersand work on churches andchurchyards.Tel: 01273 425690

Pat FarmerSecretary to Sussex HistoricChurches Trust – Handlesany correspondence andqueries relating to SHCT.Tel: 01403 700492

Andrew CunninghamDiocesan Accountant –Has overall responsibility forDiocesan finances andParish Contributions.Tel: 01273 425798

Karen YoungFinance Officer –Gives advice to PCC treasurerson accounts, Gift Aid, ParishContribution payment andcompliance with charity lawand best practice.Tel: 01273 425688

Christine BarnettRegistry Clerk – Handlescorrespondence with theRegistrar and the Chancellorand all faculty correspondence.Tel: 01243 813238

Sue AtkinsStipends Administrator andSecretary to the Archdeacon ofChichester – Administers paymentof fees in parish vacancies andother aspects relating to stipends.Tel: 01273 425799

Steven SleightHR Officer and Secretary ofMission & Pastoral Committee –Advises on re-organisation of thelegal structures of a parish orbenefice. Tel: 01273 425689

Richard JacksonAdviser for Mission andRenewal – Heads up a wide-ranging department that can giveadvice and training on evangelism,healing, church growth, FreshExpressions, spiritual directionand more.Tel: 01273 425686

Joy Gilliver & Rebecca SwyerAdviser for Discipleship andMinistry – Joy and her team areresponsible for ministerial trainingincluding reader training andeducational courses in the diocesesuch as the Bishop’s Certificate,developing discipleship, Lentcourses etc. Joy is engaged in aspecial project for the first fourmonths of 2012 and her duties willbe undertaken by Rebecca Swyeras Acting Adviser for D&M duringthat time. Tel: 01273 425693

Ali CampbellAdviser on Children and Youth –He has a wealth of experience withhis team to tap into on all aspects ofyouth and children’s work. Contacthim before employing a youth orchildren’s worker for valuable adviceon employment practice for PCCsand mistakes to avoid.Tel: 01273 425683

Colin PerkinsThe Bishop’s Adviser forSafeguarding Children andAdults – Has responsibility for allaspects of safeguarding in thediocese, including training andCRB checks. Tel: 01273 425972.For all specific CRB enquiries:Kim Nash - Tel: 01273 425680

Lisa WilliamsonCommunications Officer –Acts as the Press Relations Officerfor the Bishop and the diocese ingeneral and provides support in allaspects of communications acrossthe diocese. Tel: 01273 425791

David FareyCommunications Officer –Acts as the Press Relations Officerfor the Bishop and the diocese ingeneral and provides support in allaspects of communications acrossthe diocese. Tel: 01273 425691

Angela Sibson OBEDiocesan Secretary andSecretary to the Board ofFinance – Has overallresponsibility for Church Houseand diocesan administration.Tel: 01273 425794

Church HouseChurch House, 211 New Church Road,Hove BN3 4ED. Tel: 01273 421021.

Our Receptionist and Communications Assistant,Tallie Proud, will do her best to help you.To email a member of diocesan staff theformula is: firstname.surname@diochi.org.uk unless otherwise stated.

People to contact...These people are ready to help. You can contact them at: Church House, 211 New Church Road,Hove BN3 4ED, on the telephone numbers shown or, via email: firstname.surname@diochi.org.uk

This advice and information is given in good faith and is based on our understanding of current law and practice. Neither Ecclesiastical Insurance Officeplc nor its subsidiaries accept any liability whatsoever for any errors or omissions which may result in injury, loss or damage, including consequential orfinancial loss. It is the responsibility of the insured or any other person to ensure that they comply with their statutory obligations. The interpretation orimplementation of the notes contained in this newsletter is at the sole discretion of the insured or any other party who may read these notes.

© Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc 2012 4/12

For more informationcall 0845 777 3322

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Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc (EIO) Reg. No. 24869. Ecclesiastical Insurance Group plc (EIG) Reg. No. 1718196. Ecclesiastical Life Ltd (ELL) Reg. No. 243111. Ecclesiastical InvestmentManagement Ltd (EIM) Reg. No. 2519319. Ecclesiastical Financial Advisory Services Ltd (EFAS) Reg. No. 2046087. Ecclesiastical Services Ltd (ES) Reg. No. 1811698. E.I.O. Trustee Ltd Reg. No.941199. All companies are registered in England at Beaufort House, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1JZ, UK. EIO, ELL, EIM & EFAS are authorised and regulated by the Financial ServicesAuthority and are members of the Financial Ombudsman Service. EIO & ELL are members of the Association of British Insurers and EIM is a member of the Investment Management Association.