Follow the links for answers to your frequently asked questions:

 

How much does a parish priest cost?

We've put together this brief guide on how much a priest costs to help you with all the details. 

How can I save money on gas and electricity?

The Church of England has developed guidance on minimising utility costs and buying gas and electricity to support parishes with this.

We are also working in partnership with Charity Funding Solutions to provide a cost-free benchmarking service for our parish treasurers and clergy. Parishes using the CFS service have made annual savings ranging from £150 to over £1,500, with average energy cost savings of approximately 20%. Further details of this benchmarking service are available here.  Parish utility costs survey form is available here.

 

Where does our Parish Share go?

Parish Share is the sum of money paid by each parish every year to the Diocese to support local ministry.  The Common Fund is the total of all 496 parish shares in Bath and Wells.  

Every parish contributes to the Common Fund and every parish receives from the Fund in the following ways:

  • parish priest's monthly stipend
  • clergy pension contributions
  • housing costs
  • clergy training
  • the wide range of diocesan support services, eg the Education Department, which supports local church and    community schools.

See our latest budget summary for details of exactly how your Parish Share is spent.

Can I claim VAT on building repair work?

 Repairs and maintenance of church buildings (including church halls) is standard rated for VAT purposes, but in the case of listed buildings the VAT can be recovered under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. You might also find this guidance on VAT and church buildings useful.

If you have specific questions with regard to VAT on aspects of repair work, contact Sarah Davis at the Diocesan Registry. Phone 01749 674747 or email Sarah. 

How can I prevent theft of metal from our church?

Parishes are encouraged to use SmartWater as a deterrent.  Find out more about SmartWater and theft of metal on the Ecclesiastical Insurance website. Download a Theft of Metal - Victim Impact Statement to edit here.

How can a PCC's cash reserves be best invested?

The national stewardship team has produced a this short paper to guide PCCs through the wide range of alternatives for investments that are not equity linked. 

How do I set out my parish accounts and report?

This model PCC Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts, from the Charity Commission, shows how parish accounts and reports should be set out and gives a supporting commentary.

What is the Diocesan recommended car mileage rate?

Included in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's March 2011 Budget was an announcement that the higher rate of Approved Mileage Allowance Payments would be increased from 40p to 45p per mile with effect from 6 April 2011.
 

The Diocesan recommended car mileage rate was increased from 50p to 52p per mile (first 10,000 miles in a tax year) with effect from 1st May 2012 in order to reflect increased fuel costs.  The HMRC tax allowable rate remains at 45p per mile.   It is up to each PCC to individually decide the appropriate car mileage rate for expense claimants.  It is an important principle that claimants should not personally be out-of-pocket when required to use their own cars on parish work.  Claimants may choose to claim less to match their deemed expenditure e.g. because they drive a small economical car.  Please note that any re-imbursement over the HMRC rate of 45p per mile will attract a tax liability, i.e. 7p of the 52p will be classed as taxable income.

Where can I go for Treasurer training courses?

The Accounts department holds an annual training workshop for PCC Treasurers at The Old Deanery, Wells.  This year’s date has been confirmed as Friday 21 September.  It is especially useful to attend if you are a new treasurer.  Please contact Sally Westlake at sally.westlake@bathwells.anglican.org for more details.

The Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers (ACAT) also holds local training workshops at regular intervals.  Details and booking forms for the next events at either Taunton (Thursday 5 July) are available here or Bristol (Friday 6 July) are available here.

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