Tag: Church Commissioners

Church Commissioner Questions: Christmas Celebrations and Services, Church Investments, and Historic Cathedrals

On 1st December 2022, MPs put questions to the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, during his monthly question time in the House of Commons.

Christmas Celebrations and Services

Bob Blackman MP (Con) asked:

1. What steps the Church of England plans to take (a) nationally and (b) in Harrow East constituency to celebrate Christmas.

Kevin Foster MP (Con) asked:

4. What steps the Church of England plans to take to encourage families and children to attend events and services at their local parish church at Christmas.

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Church Commissioners Written Answers: Church Land, Environment, Persecuted Christians (Africa and China), Women in Ministry, Equality, Energy

Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs on 1st December 2022:

Jim Shannon MP (DUP): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church is taking steps to plant more trees on its land in rural areas.

Andrew Selous MP (Con): During 2021 the Church Commissioners planted approximately 2 million trees across their land holdings. In 2021 the Commissioners also purchased land in Wales with the intention of establishing a new woodland of c.85,000 new trees (subject to the grant of planting permissions).

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Church Commissioners Written Answers: Investment, Clergy Vacancies, Provincial Episcopal Visitors, and Use of Church Monies

Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs on 21st November 2022:

Jim Shannon MP (DUP): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to promote environmental, social and governance leadership in its investments.

Andrew Selous MP (Con): The Church Commissioners Responsible Investment Team regularly engages with the companies in which they invest on environmental and social issues, and good governance. The Church Commissioners’ Stewardship report 2021 contains examples of work on impact investment, respect for the planet and respect for people: https://www.frc.org.uk/getattachment/8e8fdb87-6c32-4bf3-b549-e8209db00976/The-Church-Commissioners-for-England_Stewardship-report-2020.pdf(opens in a new tab) The Commissioners are signatory members of the Financial Reporting Council, which has approved the report.

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Church Commissioner Questions: Parish Ministry, Coronation, Rural Clergy, and Support over the Winter

On 17th November 2022, MPs put questions in the House of Commons to the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP:

Parish Ministry

Jerome Mayhew MP (Broadlands, Con):

2. What recent discussions he has had with the Church on strengthening its parish ministry.

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Church Commissioners Written Answers: Housing for older people and support for persecuted christians

Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs on 11th November 2022:

Jim Shannon MP (DUP): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Church of England will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing accommodation on their land for people aged 55 and over with shared values.

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Church Commissioners Written Answers: Ukraine, parish ministry, support for those in need

Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs on 10th November 2022:

Jim Shannon MP (DUP): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Church of England will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing the use of parish halls free of charge for (a) English classes for Ukrainian refugees and (b) community hubs for rurally based Ukrainians to meet.

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Church Commissioners Written Answers: Christianity – British Nationals Abroad

Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP on 9th November 2022:

Jim Shannon MP (DUP): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Church of England will consider the potential merits of providing ringfenced funding to support Christians to self sustain overseas if they are denied employment due to their belief.

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Church Commissioner Written Answers: Equality Act exemptions and disability access in churches

Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs on 8th November 2022:

8th November 2022:

Ben Bradshaw MP (Lab): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what plans the Church of England has to review its exemptions under the Equality Act 2010.

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Church Commissioners Written Answers: Land Use

Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP on 18th October 2022:

Mark Eastwood MP (Con): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of reported concerns by the Bishop of Norwich, the lead Church of England bishop on environmental issues, on plans by the Church Commissioners to put forward land as potential investment zones.

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Church Commissioners Written Answers: Repairs and Maintenance, Vandalism

Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from an MP on 30th September 2022:

Dr Matthew Offord MP (Con): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent discussions he has had with the Church Commissioners about repair and renewal of the church estate.

Andrew Selous MP (Con): The Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council have agreed to funding of £11 million for 2023-25 in support of Buildings for Mission, which includes £2m for places of worship maintenance/repairs, and funding for up to 20 support officers to work with communities on the care of their church buildings. This is alongside a one-off commitment of £190 million (over nine years) to support the whole Church, including its buildings, in the transition towards Net Zero 2030.

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