IN SUPPORT of the St John’s Church Spire Appeal the town’s MP has urged the government to extend the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
During questions to Church Commissioners last Thursday (November 28th) in the House of Commons, Bradley asked Commissioners about the future of the grant scheme which is only funded until March 31, 2025.
The grant gives grants covering the VAT on repairs of over £1,000 to listed buildings used as places of worship.
Bradley asked the question on behalf of the Save our Spire at St Johns Appeal.
The appeal is raising vital funds to rebuild the top 2.25 metre section of the spire at the Grade I listed St John’s Church in Bromsgrove and could benefit from the scheme.
Bromsgrove’s MP was told Marsha De Cordova MP, Second Church Estates Commissioner, that the Save our Spire at St Johns Appeal could reclaim £90,000 through the scheme.
Following his question in the House of Commons, Bradley said: “Bromsgrove and the Villages is home to many historic churches that continue to be much loved by their communities.
“They include St John’s Church in Bromsgrove, which dates from 12th century but was predominantly constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries.
“The church and the local community have had to raise many hundreds of thousands of pounds for the upkeep and maintenance of its spire – and key to that is the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
“That’s why I asked the Church Commissioners what conversations have taken place between the Government and the Church to ensure the scheme continues beyond March 2025.
“I will be supporting their efforts in any way I can to ensure they can benefit from this scheme.”
In response to Bradley’s question, Second Church Estates Commissioner Marsha De Cordova MP said St John’s is a ‘perfect example’ of a possible beneficiary of the scheme.
The scheme currently receives around 7,000 applications per year and has a budget of £42 million.
Friends of St John’s Chair, Jo Slade, said: “We have been in regular contact with MP Bradley Thomas regarding the grant because of the enormous impact which will be felt if the scheme is not extended.
“Within the Spire Appeal project, we have an estimated £80,000 of VAT on building work which would be covered by the grant scheme.
“We would have to find this money from elsewhere if the scheme comes to an end, and that would be a huge blow to the project.
“We are very grateful for Bradley’s support and very much hope the government will be able to continue to support important heritage buildings by extending the VAT grant scheme.”
