Grants available to parishes for 2024 and 2025 for building repairs, improvements, and net zero quick wins

The national Church of England has set aside funding for repairs and maintenance to churches and also for small net zero projects.

Building Repair and Improvement Grants and Net Zero Quick Wins Grant

The building grants and quick wins grants are allocated to 41 dioceses. They enable dioceses to offer grants for small-scale up to £10,000 total project cost for urgent works that could save larger sums in the long-term or quick win net zero solutions. Our diocese will be distributing a share of these fund – we have around £100,000 ( MR & I) and £40,000 (NZC) to allocate over the next two years.

The Minor Repairs and Improvements Grants Fund’ can help pay for:

1. minor repairs that are urgent and necessary to the building according to eligibility (identified in a quinquennial inspection or similar more recent report);
2. other works and costs, probably including small-scale improvements and professional fees, for options appraisals, feasibility studies and other project development work.

Grants will need to be targeted at areas of need and according to the urgency of the work and its ability to help churches remain open and sustainable.

Net Zero Carbon (NZC) – ‘Quick Wins’ can help pay for:

1. Work aligned with the Church of England ‘Practical Path to NZC for Churches’ tool:
2. Improving electric connections, to enable electric heating;
3. Work that enables parishes to respond to temporary heating solutions or (ideally) plan ahead and improve their heating resilience.

Applying for a grant:

Parishes can submit applications for grants (same application for both grants), and an internal panel will decide which bids should be approved. The next grant application round will take place from now until Friday 27th September at 5pm and a decision will be made in October. Work cannot start until funding is confirmed.

For a conversation about your proposed work, or for an application form for work please email our DAC secretary here. Dates for further funding rounds will follow.

Building Improvement Grants now open for applications

Benefact Trust (previously AllChurches Trust) has just launched its Building Improvement Grants programme to help protect and enhance churches and Christian buildings, ensuring their continued use for generations to come. The programme will support capital costs such as essential repairs and improvements, conservation and restoration, and energy efficiency measures. Click on link here for more info.

Changes to faculty rules from 1st July 2022

The national Church of England has changed some of the faculty rules to encourage churches to make changes that would help in our drive to become carbon net zero by 2030. You can read more about those changes here.

Extension of LPOW

The government has formally confirmed the extension of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS) until March 2025.

New guidance on metal roof covering

Historic England has updated its online guidance on thefts of roofs and published new technical guidance on terne-coated stainless steel.

When lead or copper roof coverings have been stolen, Historic England understands it may be too risky to replace with the same materials. It has found that the most appropriate and long-lasting alternative is terne-coated stainless steel; although for some buildings zinc, slates or tiles may be options. A good specification and experienced contractors are key to ensuring the performance of the replacement roof covering. HE has now published technical guidance about using terne-coated stainless steel for church roofs to address commonly raised questions.