The Heritage Alliance (THA) reports with further news on the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme (LPWGS) as the Government has now responded to the online petition (closed at 9,100 signatures) set up to ask the Prime Minister to ensure the scheme is renewed indefinitely from March 2011.
The Government response reads as follows: ‘the scheme is currently due to end at the end of 2010/11 and any decision about its extension can only be taken as part of wider discussions about Government spending priorities in the next spending round. …under new proposals by the Government, the share of Lottery money going to each of the arts, heritage and sport good causes will increase to 20 per cent. The Heritage Lottery Fund is looking at how it will distribute the additional money it expects to receive as a result of the change in Lottery shares. It has said it will take account of the needs of places of worship in England, along with needs in other heritage sectors.’
As The Heritage Alliance has clearly stated to Government, HLF grants and the LPWGS are entirely separate sources of funding with different aims, and HLF should not be viewed as a substitute for the LPWGS. Whilst the Government’s intention to increase HLF’s share of Lottery funding is very welcome, this does not necessarily mean that funds will flow smoothly through to churches with urgent repair needs on their hands, since HLF grants are awarded on a competitive basis whereas the repayment of VAT under the LPWGS is automatic. Some places of worship may also find it difficult to satisfy HLF’s access and education criteria, and even if a special programme was established under HLF, certain denominations and faiths would not accept the profits of gambling.
To register your support and sign the new petition (set up by the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich and supported by TV presenter and new President of Civic Voice Griff Rhys Jones) click here: LINK
For a sample letter to send to your MP, addressing the points above, click here: LINK
For the response in full, click here: LINK
