Tag: Andrew Selous

Church Commissioners written answers: church finances, covid and social action

On 17th November the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered written questions on church finances and the impact of coronavirus on church social action:

Chris Green (Bolton West and Athert0n, Con) : [113566] To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Commissioners have made of (a) trends in the level of closure of churches and (b) the ability of worshipping communities to fund ongoing repairs to church buildings. Continue reading “Church Commissioners written answers: church finances, covid and social action”

House of Commons passes General Synod (Remote Meetings) (Temporary Standing Orders) Measure

On 19th October the House of Commons considered and passed the General Synod (Remote Meetings) (Temporary Standing Orders) Measure. The Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, introduced the Measure:

First Delegated Legislation Committee [Julie Elliott in the Chair]

General Synod (Remote Meetings) (Temporary Standing Orders) Measure

The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Andrew Selous): I beg to move,

That the Committee has considered the General Synod (Remote Meetings) (Temporary Standing Orders) Measure (HC 879).

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Elliott. I reassure Members that we should be able to dispose of this matter reasonably speedily. The Measure will enable the General Synod, which is the legislative body for the Church of England, to meet and conduct its business remotely. The current coronavirus restrictions mean that it is not practically possible for the Synod to meet in the usual way with 500 people from across England gathering in the same place, either over the road in Church House here in London, or in York. In this Parliament, as we are all aware, we have been able to make provision for remote participation in sittings using the orders of the House. However, as the General Synod was created by statute law, it does not have the same freedom, and legislation is required to enable it to meet remotely. Continue reading “House of Commons passes General Synod (Remote Meetings) (Temporary Standing Orders) Measure”

Church Commissioner Questions: covid and church attendance, baptisms, weddings and funerals, IICSA, renting of church premises, woodland holdings

On 15th October 2020 MPs put questions to Andrew Selous MP, Second Church Estates Commissioner, on covid and church attendance, baptisms, weddings and funerals, IICSA, renting of church premises, and woodland holdings. A transcript is below:

Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions: covid and church attendance, baptisms, weddings and funerals, IICSA, renting of church premises, woodland holdings”

Church Commissioners’ written answer: communications and COVID-19

On 22nd September 2020 Andrew Selous MP answered a written question from Jim Shannon MP on the Church of England’s communications strategy during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party,  Strangford): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Church of England has made of the effectiveness of its communication strategy during the covid-19 outbreak. Continue reading “Church Commissioners’ written answer: communications and COVID-19”

Church Commissioners’ written answer: Church response to coronavirus

On 16th September 2020 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered a written question from Jim Shannon MP, on the response to coronavirus:

Jim Shannon: [89698]: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to meet the needs of parishioners during the covid-19 outbreak. Continue reading “Church Commissioners’ written answer: Church response to coronavirus”

Church Commissioners’ Written Answer: Christian persecution worldwide

On 14th September 2020 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered a written question from Alexander Stafford MP on Christian persecution:

Alexander Stafford: [88422]: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Church of England has made of the extent of global persecution of Christians during the covid-19 pandemic. Continue reading “Church Commissioners’ Written Answer: Christian persecution worldwide”

Church Commissioners’ written answer: support for cathedrals

On 14th September 2020 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered a written question from Rachael Maskell MP on support for cathedrals during the coronavirus outbreak:

Rachael Maskell: [87595]: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what support is being made available to cathedrals to tackle the financial challenges they are facing as a result of the covid-19 outbreak. Continue reading “Church Commissioners’ written answer: support for cathedrals”

Church Commissioners’ written answer: coronavirus and weddings

On 14th September 2020 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, answered a written question from Barry Sheerman MP, on coronavirus guidance for weddings:

Mr Barry Sheerman [81536]: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps he is taking to ensure the accuracy of guidance issue to people planning weddings to (a) protect the finances of those people and minimise disruption to weddings.

Continue reading “Church Commissioners’ written answer: coronavirus and weddings”

Church Commissioner Written Answers: ethical investment, St Margaret’s Westminster, Christian persecution, South Sudan, church schools, coronavirus, church buildings, lead theft, Beirut explosion, marriage, mental health, ordinations

On 14th September 2020 the Second Church Estates Commissioner Andrew Selous MP answered eleven written questions from Jim Shannon MP, on ethical investment, St Margaret’s Westminster, Christian persecution, South Sudan, church schools, coronavirus and church buildings, lead theft, the Beirut explosion, marriage, mental health, and ordinations: Continue reading “Church Commissioner Written Answers: ethical investment, St Margaret’s Westminster, Christian persecution, South Sudan, church schools, coronavirus, church buildings, lead theft, Beirut explosion, marriage, mental health, ordinations”

Church Commissioners Written Answer: Sunday Congestion Charge

On 14th September 2020 the Second Church Estates Commissioner Andrew Selous MP answered a written question from Mark Pritchard MP on the effect of extending the London congestion charge to Sundays: Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Answer: Sunday Congestion Charge”