The Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2025
The Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2025, approved by the House of Commons, authorizes grants totaling up to £3,123,614 to the Churches Conservation Trust between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026 for the preservation of historically significant churches in England and Wales.
The Order revokes the 2022 order and specifies the funding period under the Redundant Churches and other Religious Buildings Act 1969.
Arguments For
Preservation of Historic Heritage: The Order ensures the continued preservation of historically and architecturally significant churches, safeguarding national heritage. The Churches Conservation Trust plays a vital role in maintaining these sites.
Financial Support for Conservation Efforts: Grants provide crucial financial support for the Churches Conservation Trust's ambitious and necessary conservation works. This funding enables vital repairs and maintenance, allowing these sites to remain accessible to the public.
Legal and Historical Basis: The Order is made under the powers granted by the Redundant Churches and other Religious Buildings Act 1969, establishing a clear legal framework for the funding allocation. The Act provides existing authority supporting interventions like this.
Government Accountability: The Order passes through Parliament, ensuring transparency and parliamentary oversight for the allocation of taxpayer funds to the Trust's efforts. Approval by the House of Commons showcases the government's commitment to this activity.
Arguments Against
Financial Constraints: The fixed grant amount may prove insufficient to address all the necessary conservation needs, impacting the Trust's ability to fully maintain all properties.
Prioritization Concerns: The Order doesn't itself specify which churches receive funding, leaving potential for debate on which sites should be selected for priority treatment within the funding limit provided.
Lack of detailed impact assessment: The explanatory note suggests no significant impact is foreseen; however, a more detailed analysis could illuminate potential areas of impact, such as employment or economic activity stimulated by the conservation projects involved.
Alternative Funding Mechanisms: The order relies on a single funding mechanism which may not fully address the diverse needs or long-term maintenance of these structures. Examining possibilities of other funding streams could be considered.
Citation, commencement and extent 1.
(1)
This Order may be cited as the Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2025 and comes into force on 1st April 2025.
(2)
This Order extends to England and Wales.
This section details the order's title, effective date, and geographical scope.
The order is officially titled the "Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2025" and takes effect on April 1st, 2025.
Its provisions apply to England and Wales only.
Period for grants to the Churches Conservation Trust 2.
The period beginning with 1st April 2025 and ending with 31st March 2026 is specified for the purposes of section 1(1) of the Redundant Churches and other Religious Buildings Act 1969 (“the Act”).
This section specifies the timeframe for the authorized grants.
Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust may only be issued between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, as defined by section 1(1) of the Redundant Churches and other Religious Buildings Act 1969.
Aggregate amount of grants 3.
The aggregate amount of the grants that may be paid under section 1(1) of the Act in the period specified in article 2 must not exceed £3,123,614.
This section sets the total funding limit.
The total amount of grants that can be paid during the specified period (April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026) cannot exceed £3,123,614.
Revocation of previous Order 4.
The Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2022 is revoked.
This section cancels the previous order.
The Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2022 is officially repealed by the current order.
Explanatory Note (This note is not part of the Order)
The Churches Conservation Trust (formerly known as the Redundant Churches Fund) (“the Trust”) has as its object the preservation, in the interests of the nation and the Church of England, of churches and parts of churches of historic and archaeological interest or architectural quality which, together with their contents, are vested in the Trust.
Article 2 of the Order specifies the period beginning with 1st April 2025 and ending with 31st March 2026 for the purposes of section 1 of the Redundant Churches and other Religious Buildings Act 1969. As a result, the Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, make grants to the Trust during that period of such amounts, payable at such times and subject to such conditions, if any, as the Secretary of State may from time to time determine. Article 3 of the Order specifies the sum of £3,123,614 as the maximum aggregate amount of the grants that may be paid in that period. The previous Order made under section 1 of the 1969 Act is revoked.
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
The explanatory note provides background information and context.
It explains the role of the Churches Conservation Trust in preserving historically significant churches.
The note summarizes the key provisions of the Order specifying the funding period (April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026) and the total funding cap (£3,123,614).
The note also mentions the revocation of the previous Order and states that an impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to a presumed negligible impact on the public, private, and voluntary sectors.