It was announced on Wednesday that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (which refunds VAT) has now allocated all its funds.
It it is now closed to new applications.
There will be no further funding rounds.
Those expecting a grant decision can expect to hear the outcome of their application no later than 15th April.
New Places of Worship Renewal Fund – emerging information
No action needed – for information
As you know, a new grant scheme is being launched in April, called the Places of Worship Renewal Fund. Historic England has been asking stakeholders, including HRBA, to comment on the developing plans.
The following information has been released by Historic England about the Renewal Fund.
– A new £23 million per year capital fund for listed places of worship in England is being launched later this year, replacing the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
– The new scheme will be called the Places of Worship Renewal Fund.
– The new Fund will be for urgent capital repairs and will be administered by Historic England, with a focus on areas of greatest need but with flexibility to support those places of worship that play a vital role in their local community.
– Only listed places of worship in England, in active use (minimum six services per year), are likely to be eligible. [see Note below]
– Projects that are predominantly focused on routine maintenance will not be eligible for support under this Fund.
– The Fund is currently being designed in consultation with the sector and will need to go through a Treasury approval process before it is launched. Further details of the Fund will be made available as soon as they are approved. We hope this will be in the Spring.
– The objectives of the Fund are to target support to where it is most needed and where it will have most impact. Considerable thought is being given to make the application process as streamlined as possible and to ensure arrangements are in place to support potential applicants. [see Note 2 below]
[Note: HRBA and others have raised with Historic England the need to accommodate Trusts which are dedicated to the care of one or more places of worship no longer cared for by congregations.]
We will of course bring you new information when it is released. But it is no small thing to devise from scratch, and get government approval for, a grant scheme which relies on millions of pounds of public funding – so we suspect that it may be a little while before we can bring you any further news, or details appear on the Historic England website.