Parochial Fees _______________________________________ 4 th June 2019 Yvonne Thompson & Steve Thomas
What are Parochial Fees? • “Statutory fees that legally belong to the DBF” • Issued by the National Church at the beginning of each year • Fees are based on the costs of ministry; making the church available; routine administration • PCC / benefice act as agents on behalf of the DBF and handle all payments
The PCC Element PCC fees have been calculated to include a location/building element based on national statistics for the overall costs of repairs and maintenance of church buildings and the number of hours in use. Also included is an element for administration and cost of lighting. Burial fees also include an element for the maintenance of the church and churchyard.
Extras that can be charged • Heating • Services of a verger • Services of an organist, choir or bell-ringers • Sheet or recorded music that has to be specially purchased • The provision of recorded or taped music • The taking of films, video or sound recordings • Flowers • Special furnishings • Organist
Best Practice • Frequency of returns • Payments – BACS, CHQ reference Parish + Fees • Bishop’s Guidelines • Fees are not payable to stipendiary clergy, SSMs, Chaplains or Readers, although they may claim travel expenses. • Mistakes can be rectified and reconciled – contact Yvonne • Ideally a service per line rather than multiples added together as it is easier to see if there has been an over/under payment • Nil Returns
Bishops’ Guidelines • These work alongside the fees and cover the majority of queries and idiosyncrasies which may arise in determining the fees and can be found on the website: http://www.bathandwells.org.uk/supporting- parishes/finances/for-treasurers/parochial-fees/ • There are also guidelines issued by the National Church: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/clergy- resources/national-clergy-hr/life-events-parochial-fees-and- guidance/guide-church
Declaration of NIL return of Parochial Fees Parish _________________________________________________ Benefice _________________________________________________ Incumbent _________________________________________________ Name of person who makes the returns _________________________ Email Address _______________________________________________ Year ended 31 December 20____ We declare that there are no parochial fees due to the Bath & Wells Diocesan Board of Finance for Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Signed (Incumbent) ______________________________________________ Signed (Treasurer) ______________________________________________
Waiving Parochial Fees • The Incumbent or Priest in Charge (P-in-C) has the right to waive the DBF fee only “in a particular case ” or in cases of financial hardship - cannot issue a blanket waiver of fees. They also have the right to waive the PCC fee after consulting with the Churchwardens • No fee for children under 16 • The DBF will have to find the additional fund for stipends elsewhere • If PCC waive their element, DBF portion is still due • PCCs will approach the Area Dean in the case of a vacancy
Retired Ministers with PTO • It is the responsibility of the churchwarden arranging the service to ensure that any visiting clergy have PTO (Permission To Officiate). No payment will be made by the DBF to visiting clergy who do not have PTO . • Funeral Directors have been instructed to make all payments to the PCC/benefice • Retired Ministers will approach the PCC/benefice for their apportionment of fees and travel expenses • Should the Retired Minister refuse a fee, then the whole fee (excluding the PCC element) is payable to the DBF
Fee Audits • Every year a selection of 12 Benefices are selected for an annual fee audit (some randomly and some on a risk basis) • The DBF officers will be comparing the fee returns submitted with the service registers for completeness and accuracy • It is hoped that they will assist the PCCs with good practice and record keeping • Queries are followed up shortly after each audit and any necessary recommendations made • Audits are not a fault finding mission – we really are very friendly!
FAQs • Two bodies in one plot or an additional body in a pre-existing plot • Other denominations • Readers • Banns & Renewal of vows • Thanksgiving/Memorials • PCC want to waive their element of the fee • Email – “I declare that all information provided on this form is true, correct and agreed to the parish records and registers .”
PARISH (if not for whole benefice): St Lucy's Please note all Reference codes, Fees and user notes can BENEFICE/TEAM MINISTRY: Sunshine Valley be found on separate appendix tab. Any queries, please INCUMBENT/PRIEST IN CHARGE: Rev I Jollie contact: FEES CONTACT NAME: Wilfred Pleasant Yvonne Thompson Tel: 01749 685125 CONTACT DETAILS (Tel./email): 01234 567891 or email: MONTH / QUARTER: Yvonne.Thompson@bathwells.anglican.org Q3 Retired Clergy Date Ref* Name Church Name of Officiant PCC Fee £ DBF Fee £ Fee £ 01/04/18 M Smith/Jones St Lucy's Rev Jolie £240.00 £201.00 06/04/18 F White St Lucy's Rev Jolie £87.00 £103.00 06/04/18 CR White St Lucy's Rev Jolie £27.00 06/04/18 BCM White St Lucy's Rev Jolie £27.00 05/05/18 FCRB Green St Lucy's Rev Jolie £29.00 £161.00 12/05/18 FCRB Apple St Lucy's Rev Chapman (PTO) £29.00 £161.00 21/05/18 VT White St Lucy's Rev Jolie £59.00 £13.00 05/06/18 M Baker/Cake St Lucy's Rev Chapman (PTO) £134.00 £240.00 £67.00 14/06/18 FCRB Booker St Lucy's Rev Jolie £87.00 £103.00 14/06/18 CR Booker St Lucy's Rev Jolie £27.00 20/06/18 BACHS Booker St Lucy's Rev Jolie £40.00 £118.00 * See Appendix for details £134.00 £811.00 £1,008.00 Declaration & Signatures I declare that all information provided on this form is true, correct and agreed to the parish records and registers. Signatures Payment Method Office use only Parish Ref: Cheque PCC Officer or Banked: Enclosed Incumbent Date: __/__/18 Complete: Paid by BACS Date
Example Workshop • How to access the fee return via the website! • https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/
Gift Aid _______________________________________ 4 th June 2019 Steve Thomas & Yvonne Thompson
Gift Aid • Basic Principles: – There has to be a gift; donation of money with NO benefit – Donor must pay sufficient UK Income or Capital Gains tax • Gift Aid Declaration - name, house name, post code, signature • Submitting Claims: – Time limit is 4 years – Interim claims, anytime – Aggregation – add together donations over £20 up to a total of £1,000 – Completing the Schedule – simple description, date of last donation & amount • Record Keeping: Keep for 6 years - Bank Statements, Declarations, working papers, envelopes • Envelopes – Sue Whitehead £5 per 100
Gift Aid • Parish Resources : https://www.parishresources.org.uk/giftaid/claiming/ • Gift Aid Guide : https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/wp- content/uploads/2019/05/gift-aid-guide-2019may.pdf • Sue Whitehead: sue.whitehead@bathwells.anglican.org
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