THE BLACKBURN BROWSER

AUTUMN/WINTER 2009

We hope that you will be well informed as you read the Autumn Browser which is to be a twice yearly publication to Clergy, Churchwardens and PCC members. This publication is to make sure that you are well briefed on issues to do with Legislation and Regulation. We hope that there are items here in this Browser which you will follow through. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with the author of each subject or indeed be in touch with Christine Ellis at Church House Telephone 01254 503074 if you wish to follow things through.

Our DAC Architects have mentioned that contractors in the building trade are now requesting to see an Asbestos Report BEFORE they will commence work on the building. We were warned of this in 2005-and now the Asbestos Regulations are beginning to take effect. The recommendation is that you need to have a TYPE 2 Asbestos Survey and Report on your church and other buildings in order to comply with the regulations and to enable contractors to do the work. It is important that you engage a properly qualified Asbestos Inspection company to do the inspection—and not simply an Asbestos removal firm. There are some local companys that are qualified to do this work at a reasonable rate. Please make sure that when you have a report that you keep it in a safe and accessible place so that it can be examined by con-

tractors who may request to see it. It may be that some parishes who have had an Asbestos Report done need to set about finding it!

Make sure of and make use of the Diocesan Advisory Committee—the DAC:We have an long list of experts and specialists on our DAC that are offering their services “free of charge’ to help give advice to parishes beginning to think about repairs, renovations and improvements to their church buildings—so we hope that you will use them.

SMARTWATER - URGENT NEWS!! Ecclesiastical are now saying from 1 October 2008 • • • • • • •

Claims for theft of metal will be £5,000 maximum (for any one period of insurance). Sequential damage claims £5,000 (for any one period of insurance). Both subject to Smartwater being used, registered and signed up. If Smartwater not used, both the above claims are reduced by 50%. Excluded if scaffolding is on site. Additional cover can be bought subject to conditions. If external roof alarms are installed, Ecclesiastical will look at discounts.

Please apply Smartwater and register it.

AUTUMN/WINTER 2009

Advent Prayer Events… For many for us the month of December is very busy with our preparations for Christmas. The Advent season is full of the big themes of faith. It is intended that these evenings of prayer will be an opportunity for us to gather as God’s people to be silent, reflect and to pray. There will be opportunities to pray in different forms—from different traditions and styles—and to worship together. It is intended that the six venues around the diocese will give opportunity for every deanery—and every parish to take part in some way. It will also be an opportunity to pray for the Mission of the Church as we approach Christmas—so that our Christmas services become a stepping stone to those who attend. Tuesday 2nd December

7.30pm

St Christophers, Hawside, Blackpool with Archdeacon Peter and Graham Piper. (Blackpool, Poulton and Kirkham Deaneries)

7.30.pm St. Bartholomew’s, Colne with Bishop John and Toni Rindl (Burnley and Pendle Deaneries) Wednesday 3rd December

7.30pm

St. Luke’s with St. Philips, Blackburn with Archdeacon John and Fleur Green. (Blackburn with Darwen, Accrington and Whalley Deaneries).

Monday 8th December

7.30.pm Preston Minister with Bishop Nicholas and Joe Fielder (Preston and Garstang Deaneries)

Thursday 11th December

7.30pm

Saturday 13th December

St. Laurence’s, Chorley with Archdeacon John And Ed Strasack. (Chorley and Leyland Deaneries) daytime somewhere in the centre of Lancaster (time And venue to be announced.

For some months a small group of us have been working on the design of a new diocesan website. We hope that it will come “on line” in November. We are not only trying to create a website that is more modern in design—but simpler to use. Our existing website was brilliantly created and sustained by Peter Nunn and was based on the Diocesan Directory. We hope that the new website will be more animated, have more graphics and photographs. We are dependant upon you to supply the photos. If you are wanting to put material on the new website then you need to “think web”. It is a very different medium to newspapers and periodicals. We need to have interest Page 2

catching headlines and links to stories— and it needs to be kept up to date. We hope that the heads of diocesan departments and deaneries will appoint someone who will be their web person—who thinks web! Training will be made available for all of us who will need to re-think our approach to communication.

We are in the process of having a new database built, the information from which is used to prepare the Directory. As as result of this, it is intended that the next Directory will be available in March 2009. However, before this we will be sending all parishes a copy of their entry for checking and amendment. We will also be sending Data Protection Forms for consent for entries to appear in the Directory and it would be much appreciated if these can be returned to us.

Church Magazines and not for the web— or he was handed material but with no instructions as to what to do with it. We will therefore need your co-operation as we develop systems for the new website– and to keep it up to date and excitingly relevant.

You will need to e-mail to the Diocesan Archdeacon John and Elaine Hargreaves Office the relevant material and espewill be the web editors to begin with—as cially photographs. we try to create a more dynamic means of We wait with bated breath—we hope it communication for our diocese. will emerge in November 2008!!! Peter Nunn often suggested with material for the old website because he was often given material that was written for

The Blackburn Browser

On the 1st October 2008 certain changes took place with regard to Tree Preservation Orders. These are: a.

b. c. d.

A new standard of application form, with requirements for supporting information, which must be used when applying for consent to carry out work on trees protected by a TPO. A new fast track appeals process for cases where Local Planning Authorities refuse consent, impose condition, issue an Article 5 Certificate or tree replacement notice. Empower the Planning Inspectorate to process the appeals. Empower Planning Inspectors, rather that the Secretary of State to make decisions on them.

Further details can be found on the Government website. A publication is also available— ‘Tree Preservation Orders—A Guide to the Law and Good Practice’, 2000—a 2009 edition will soon be available.

TEMPORARY FACULTIES: The Archdeacons are allowed to issue Temporary Faculties which last for a period of only 15 months. The

CHURCH URBAN FUND COLLECTION

temporary removal of items—such as pews will be permitted but such items must be stored in such a way that at the end of the 15 months they can be put back!

In October 2007 we launched A good number of folk took an appeal for £50k for the CUF Collecting Boxes and I The am now pursuing those who

Church Urban Fund.

The intention of Temporary Faculty is that through the designated 15 months a decisions is made whether to make the re-ordering permanent or not. During the 15 months the PCC ought to make a decision as to whether they wish to apply for a full faculty or not. If not then the furniture must be put back as it was. The Archdeacons are not permitted to issue a

intention was to raise £50k by have taken them so see if they the end of 2008. We are on have sent their money in. target. I believe that we have Hopefully we will reach the collected

already

nearly £50k we set out to raise.

£48k—which is magnificent. Thank you all.

It may be that some of us—like myself—still have to think and

I hope that there are a few pray about what we might parishes who still

donate to this CUF appeal.

are willing to do a fund raising Please do so before the end of

second consecutive Temporary Faculty for the same

event for CUF before the end the year.

work. Only the Chancellor can issue a second Tempo-

on the year—every little will

rary Faculty for the same work.

help.

There may be some Send your donation to Ian

parishes who still need to send Scott at Church House—the in funds they have raised.

the DBF—but earmarked for the CUF appeal.

Page 3

THE BLACKBURN BROWSER

NEW CLERGY MAILING SYSTEM For those people who receive

The Council for the Care of Churches recommends that churches have their electrical installations inspected and tested every 5 years, and every 3 years if the church has a public entertainments license. It is also recommended by the HSE that there is an inspection (not a test) every year.

the clergy mailing by e-mail there is now a new system in place.

It is the responsibility of the Church Wardens to ensure that the necessary testing is performed and that any repairs are undertaken by an NICEIC Approved electrical contractor.

Rather than send out the mailing on a monthly basis, with effect from 1st October it is intended that new items will be added to the website as and when they are received by us and you will be notified by e-mail that new items are available to view.

It is also recommended that all portable electrical appliances, that is any appliance that is plugged in rather than permanently wired in, are inspected and tested on an annual basis to minimise the risks for injury to users.

Your comments on this new system will enable us to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach. For those people who receive the mailing by post it will continue to be sent to you around the middle of the month.

Canon Andrew Sage of Whalley Abbey and St. Stephen’s on the Cliff, Blackpool is our electrical adviser.

The Boards of Finance and Education have each contributed £50,000 to the Growth Fund. This fund is designed to award small grants to stimulate projects directly related to evangelism, fresh expressions and church growth and to provide ‘seed corn’ finance for starting mission development projects and fresh expressions of church across the Diocese. Grants will usually be made for up to 50% of the total cost, with a limit of £5,000 and any unit of the Diocese may apply: parishes, teams, clusters, deaneries or fresh expressions; Applicants may like to consider the following list of initiative categories that, from research, appear to be resulting in church growth in the Church of England today:

Welcoming those with Autism. For more information visit: http:// www.oxford.anglican.org/ files/documents/autismguidlelines_pdf.pdf

Planting new congregations Making worship more varied Making better provision for children and young people (Family Services, Sunday Schools, Youth provision) Improving welcome and integration Better quality and more varied music More lay involvement in leadership Better small groups and pastoral care Improvements to buildings Application forms are available from Church House.

THE BLACKBURN BROWSER

Energy saving light bulbs have always been a bright idea – for your pocket and the environment. They use up to 80 per cent less electricity than a standard bulb, but produce the same amount of light.

environment… Simple fact: energy saving light bulbs use less electricity than standard bulbs to do the same job. In turn, using less energy like electricity means that our homes produce less carbon dioxide: one of the main causes of climate change.

In other words, they can help you to save money and energy, all in one wise purchase. And by saving energy, you’ll be helping to So, why not do your bit to help fight climate change? Next time fight climate change too. you need a bulb, buy an energy saving one. That’s the good news. Now here’s some more. Technology’s moved on a lot since energy saving light bulbs were first invented, and so has the way they look. In fact, whatever types of bulbs you use to light your home, there are sure to be stylish energy saving equivalents. So, why not switch to energy saving light bulbs today? As you’ll see, even the best excuses no longer apply? Watch our video guide to energy saving lighting.

Benefits Depending on how long your lights are in use every day, just one energy saving light bulb could save you on average around £3 a year, and up to £6 for brighter bulbs or those used for more hours a day. And because it will last up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb, it could save you around £40 before it needs replacing. Fit all the lights in your house with energy saving bulbs and you could save around £45 a year and £600 over the lifetime of all of the bulbs.

See energy saving bulbs in a new light. In your mind’s eye think of an energy saving bulb, is it bulky and And before you ask, these savings take into account the higher oddly shaped? Maybe giving off a cold, harsh light? cost of energy saving light bulbs. These days, the average price is around £2 a bulb, so you’ll usually recoup the extra outlay If so, be prepared to think again. There are now more good within a year. reasons than ever to buy energy saving light bulbs. Here are some of the best. Energy saving light bulbs use a fifth to a quarter of the electricity of ordinary bulbs to generate the same amount of light. Advances in technology mean that energy saving light bulbs are So where you’d normally use a 60W bulb, you’ll only need a 13now available in a wide variety of fittings, shapes and sizes. 18W energy saving recommended equivalent. Like standard bulbs, they come in all shapes and sizes. These range from stick shaped bulbs candle shaped varieties, with small or medium screw and bayonet fittings. The choice really is yours. Nowadays, there are even halogen and dimmable energy saving bulbs on the market. And thanks to the invention of `soft tone’ bulbs, you can enjoy a warm glow rather than a cold light.

Ordinary bulbs

Energy saving equivalent

25W

6W

40W

8-11W

60W

12-19W

100W

20-25W

They’re just as bright as normal bulbs, but better for the

PCC CHARITY REGISTRATION All PCCs with a gross income in excess of £100,000 have now lost their excepted status and are required to register as charities with the Charity Commission with effect from 1 October. Dioceses have been requested to register their PCCs in stages and, therefore, we will be asking Blackburn Diocesan PCCs to register between May and July 2009. However, should you wish to register before this you may do so. In order to speed up the registration process the Charity Commission have asked that as much registration as possible is carried out on line. In order to assist parishes we intend to organise advice sessions in the New Year and we will offer as much practical help as possible. In order to identify as accurately as possible the number of PCCs who will be required to register, if you have not already done so, please can you let us have a copy of your 2007 accounts and, as soon as they are available, a copy of your 2008 accounts. This will enable us to allocate staff resources to this project more effectively. If you require any further information please contact Elaine Hargreaves.