Tag: Church Commissioners

Bishop’s Palace in Wells: Church Commissioners’ Written Answers

Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered three written questions from Tessa Munt MP on the Church Commissioners plans for the Palace at Wells.

Tessa Munt: To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2014, Official report, column 317W on Bishop of Bath and Wells, in relation to the Bishop’s living accommodation, what repairs or maintenance were identified in the Church Commissioners Quinquennial Review dated 2013.

The Palace at Bath and Wells (picture courtesy of bishopspalace.org.uk)
The Palace at Bath and Wells (picture courtesy of bishopspalace.org.uk)

Sir Tony Baldry: The reason for moving the Bishop’s accommodation is to give the Bishop more privacy and not to do with the cost of repairs and restoration to the flat. Continue reading “Bishop’s Palace in Wells: Church Commissioners’ Written Answers”

Fracking: Church Commissioners’ Written Answer

Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP answered a written question on fracking.

Miss McIntosh: To ask t14.01 CCQ Baldryhe right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, whether any applications for licences for fracking been made on land owned by the Church of England.

Sir Tony Baldry: The Church Commissioners believe that the Government has awarded a number of Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDL) which cover wide geographical areas and these include some interests held by the Commissioners. To date no approaches have been made to the Commissioners and no applications have been received from any potential Licensors.

(via Parliament.uk)

Palace at Bath and Wells: Church Commissioners’ Written Answers

Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered five written questions from Tessa Munt MP on the Church Commissioners plans for the Palace at Wells.

The Palace at Bath and Wells (picture courtesy of bishopspalace.org.uk)
The Palace at Bath and Wells (picture courtesy of bishopspalace.org.uk)

Tessa Munt: To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what heirlooms of the see there are in relation to the Bishop’s Palace at Wells.

Sir Tony Baldry: The Palace at Wells contains many heirlooms of the Bishop of Bath and Wells including the Coronation cope worn traditionally during the Coronation ceremony by the Bishop. These and other heirlooms of the Bishops of Bath and Wells will remain in the palace for the foreseeable future.

Continue reading “Palace at Bath and Wells: Church Commissioners’ Written Answers”

BISHOP’S PALACE IN WELLS: CHURCH COMMISSIONERS’ WRITTEN ANSWERS

Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered five written questions from Tessa Munt MP on the Church Commissioners plans for the Palace at Wells.

The Palace at Bath and Wells (picture courtesy of bishopspalace.org.uk)
The Palace at Bath and Wells (picture courtesy of bishopspalace.org.uk)

Tessa Munt: To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to the answer of 14 January, Official Report, column 502W, on Bishop of Bath and Wells, what the cost is of the property which the Church Commissioners have purchased or propose to purchase for the purpose of accommodating the new Bishop of Bath and Wells.  Continue reading “BISHOP’S PALACE IN WELLS: CHURCH COMMISSIONERS’ WRITTEN ANSWERS”

BISHOP’S PALACE IN WELLS and Churches in Rural Areas: Church Commissioners’ Written Answers

On 14th January 2014, Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered written questions from Tessa Munt MP and Anne McIntosh MP, on the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, and churches in rural areas.

Tony Baldry MP

Bishop of Bath and Wells

Tessa Munt: To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the reasons are for the Church Commissioners’ decision to purchase alternative accommodation for the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Sir Tony Baldry: The Church Commissioners have always kept under review the suitability of its houses to meet the needs of a diocesan bishop and facilitate his mission. In the case of the Palace at Wells, the Commissioners concluded that more suitable arrangements could be made for the ministry and living conditions of the new Bishop if he were not to live in the Palace, which is operated by the Palace Trust as a visitor attraction. The Bishop and the Bishop of Taunton will continue to be based and work at the Palace.

Continue reading “BISHOP’S PALACE IN WELLS and Churches in Rural Areas: Church Commissioners’ Written Answers”

MPs Questions to Church Commissioners

In Church Commissioners’ question time in the House of Commons on 19th January 2014, Sir Tony Baldry MP was asked by MPs to answer questions on the Pilling Report, homelessness, the Church of England 100 Treasures project, violent attacks on clergy, Grade I listed churches, religious tolerance and the Christian celebration of Christmas.

14.01 CCQ Baldry

Transcript (via Parliament.uk):

Continue reading “MPs Questions to Church Commissioners”

Second Church Estates Commissioner Answers Written Question on Food Banks

On the 16th December 2013 Sir Tony Baldry MP the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question from Gloria De Piero on the issue of food banks14.01 CCQ Baldry

Continue reading “Second Church Estates Commissioner Answers Written Question on Food Banks”

Bishop of Birmingham takes part in Archbishop’s debate on banking reform

“More competition can be seen in the regional banks that may be emerging. From my own interest in the Church Commissioners, I know that the proposed Williams & Glyn’s Bank, which is emerging from the 300 RBS branches, may have an opportunity to demonstrate how to be a good bank in the terms that we have already heard about, but at the same time that it will be freed from some of the responsibilities of the bigger banks and respond to people’s needs locally.”

On 5th December 2013, the Bishop of Birmingham took part in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s debate on the work of the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards. You can read the Archbishop’s opening and closing speeches here.

01.04.14 Bishop of Birmingham

The Lord Bishop of Birmingham: My Lords, I welcome warmly the noble Lord, Lord Carrington, to your Lordships’ House and congratulate him on a most succinct but wise and constructive maiden speech. His knowledge of finance and banking is exemplary. We have already heard from my friend the most reverend Primate of the noble Lord’s service in the other place, notably as chair of the Treasury Committee. He also brings a wealth of experience in banking. The particular bank mentioned, Gatehouse, of which he is deputy chairman, has this remarkable attention to Islamic finance. As someone who serves in Birmingham, that is of course well known and much appreciated.

Continue reading “Bishop of Birmingham takes part in Archbishop’s debate on banking reform”

Second Church Estates Commissioner Answers Written Question on Churches in North Yorkshire

On 26th November 2013 Sir Tony Bladry MP answered a written question from Miss McIntosh concerning churches in North Yorkshire and the commissioners’ plans to visit them14.01 CCQ Baldry Continue reading “Second Church Estates Commissioner Answers Written Question on Churches in North Yorkshire”

Second Church Estates Commissioner Anwers Written Questions on Church Accessibility and Chancel Liability

On 21st November 2013 Sir Tony Baldry MP answered written questions on the accessibility of churches and chancel liability

14.01 CCQ Baldry Continue reading “Second Church Estates Commissioner Anwers Written Questions on Church Accessibility and Chancel Liability”