Ratepayers to stop paying for rectories from 2030

Ratepayers will no longer pay for Church of England rectories in Guernsey following changes agreed by the States.

Guernsey's parishes are required to provide housing for the rectors from their parish church.

Historically costs have been covered by rents from parish-owned lands but in recent years parish rates - paid by each household in a parish - have been used to meet rising housing costs.

The decision to end the arrangement from 2030 came from a debate of a dispute involving Torteval and St Saviour parishes over the maintenance costs of a rectory used by the joint rector of both parish churches.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, a member of the Policy and Resources Committee which lodged the original proposal, said: "It's not a surprise and I don't think it will be a surprise to the church.

"The difference will be in each parish because there are slightly different arrangements currently in play and they may want slightly different arrangements moving away from this current system."

Going forward, Deputy Le Tocq said: "There is no reason why the consultation can't take place now because of a parish, for example wants to say, lets negotiate a token rent or some contribution for the time being, it will be contractualised and negotiated.

"If on the other hand, there are issues where a current incumbent is saying. I'm being forced out', that's more difficult to deal with. But, that will be down to the parishes and their particular rectors."

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