Each week, for the next few weeks, I will be reflecting on what happened at the General Assembly, drawing out particular matters that we need to be addressing, either as congregations or as a presbytery. I thought I would start with the report from the General Trustees and what changes have come as a result of it.
Manse Memorandum of Understanding
The Manse Handbook has been updated to include a "Memorandum of Understanding". According to the report of the GTs, "this an important document which seeks to enable both the Minister and the congregation to understand what is required of them and seeks to avoid future misunderstandings and potential conflicts, and it should be negotiated and completed by all congregations and inducted ministers, not simply by those moving to a new charge or manse."
Congregations have been instructed to have this in place by 30th September 2026, with presbyteries reporting due diligence as part of the Inspection of Records in 2027.
Over the next month, it would be appropriate for your fabric convener/committee to go through the document with your minister and work towards having it signed and placed together with the Manse Condition Schedule.
The Manse Handbook can be found here:
https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/departments/general-trustees/property-management/manses
Property Register Attestation
First of all, presbyteries were given a bit of a scolding about not providing up to date information to the General Trustees around the attestation of property registers and the changing of the categorisation of buildings in Presbytery Mission Plans. Mike Leys, our outgoing Property & Finance Convener, mentioned at the last Presbytery meeting the failure of many congregations to submit the necessary records for attestation. If you are in that category, please can you ensure that your property register is handed in to Mike as soon as possible. If you need help with that, please get in touch with Mike or with the Presbytery Office. We are required to report to the General Trustees each year on this, and will be following up with congregations who have failed to provide the necessary information in the coming months.
Involvement of Presbytery Buildings Officer
We heard about the incredibly valuable resource offered to Presbyteries through the network of Presbytery Buildings Officers. Ian Murray serves our Presbytery and he does an amazing amount of work across the Presbytery supporting congregations with their buildings. Ian undertakes the five yearly inspections of buildings and is also able to provide advice on the maintenance and improvement of buildings.
If you are considering undertaking any work on buildings, the strong recommendation is that you contact Ian at the start (imurray@churchofscotland.org.uk).
Application Forms
When you are looking to undertake work which requires the approval of Presbytery or the General Trustees, it is important that you use the correct application form. You can find more information here:
https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/departments/general-trustees/property-management/fabric
And the current form is here: Application for approval of works
Please ensure that you complete the correct form fully. It then needs to be submitted to the Property and Finance Committee, and if going to the GTs, will need to be signed off by myself. There is a new section which has to be filled out by the Presbytery Buildings Officer. This is why consulting with Ian is a very good first step.
If you are not sure about when you have to ask for approval, please do read the details in the Yearbook or ask the question.
Caretaker Occupancy Agreements and Letting of Manses
There was an update on the policy around letting out manses and you can find out more information here: Manse letting document
If you are considering letting out a manse or are seeking to stay in a manse beyond retirement, the best option is to speak to Presbytery and the GTs as soon as possible, to make sure that the right approach is followed.
Other Highlights
- It is now mandatory for all church buildings (excluding manses) to have a Fire Risk Assessment in place. You can find out more about completing these here: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/departments/general-trustees/property-management/health-and-safety-and-fire-safety/general-trustees-health-and-safety-toolkit
- If the GTs become aware that a building needs work done to it in order to comply with statutory requirements, they may arrange for such works to be undertaken at the cost of the congregation. (The Chair of the GTs spoke about how there are significant costs associated with work not being done within a reasonable timeframe and there is a desire to make sure that the right work is done in a timely fashion).
- If a building is deemed unsafe, the GTs may issue a direction to the Kirk Session stop it being used.
- If the cost of doing work on a building is prohibitive, there will be a conversation about whether the building should be retained or sold. This would be in consultation with the congregation and the Presbytery.
- If a united congregation has money in its Consolidated Fabric Fund following an adjustment, it will only be able to access that money for building works, if the title deeds of all properties are vested with the GTs or if an Assembly Clause is inserted within the title deeds.
There is a lot to consider. But the GTs have an excellent section on the Church of Scotland website and, as mentioned above, Ian Murray and the Property and Finance Committee of Presbytery, are here to help.
Rev Stella