Congregations urged to apply for "repairs refund" grants

Congregations are encouraged to investigate whether they are eligible to "claw back" VAT on repairs of over £1,000.

The Listed Places of Worship (LPW) Grant Scheme is run by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport and funded until 31 March 2025.

The General Trustees of the Church of Scotland, which manages the Church's estate, are encouraging congregations to visit the LPW website and investigate if they qualify for refunds.

Polwarth Parish Church in Edinburgh, known as the Kirk on the Canal, was awarded a grant.

The type of repair work covered by the scheme is extensive and includes bells, bell ropes, chancels, pews, drainage, roofs, spires, electrics, asbestos removal, metal thefts, repointing, stone works tree lopping, doors, floors and plumbing.

Dr Ian Trushell, convener of the General Trustees Fabric Committee, said: "This UK-wide scheme allows congregations with listed buildings to claw back VAT on works.

"It is extremely welcome as a continuing source of funding and really important, therefore we would encourage congregations to investigate whether they qualify for grants."

In December, it was announced that nearly 5,000 religious buildings in the UK received a share of up to £42 million in funding.

Refunds

The scheme has been highlighted in the Scottish Parliament with 24 cross-party MSPs endorsing a motion lodged by Jackson Carlaw.

Netherlee and Stamperland Parish Church in East Renfrewshire recently received £104,000 for works to refurbish the sanctuary roof with works to the masonry, gutters, downpipes, lead works and drains.

Project manager Tony Ireland said: "For us the Listed Places of Worship Scheme was seamlessly administered and the refunds authorised were efficiently delivered direct to our bank account.

"We found the explanatory notes detailing the operation of the scheme straightforward to understand and a useful reference tool to establish what works qualified for support under the scheme.

"The grant application forms were submitted electronically and after the first form was successfully submitted and approved the subsequent applications confidently followed.

"For a listed property such as ours this scheme delivered not just financial support but a very real feeling that we were part of an important national effort."

Over the last two years, grant recipients include St Machar's Cathedral in Aberdeen (£8,835), Carnoustie Church in Angus (£3,500), St Andrew's Church in Moffat (£90,664), Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh (£10,561), Polwarth Parish Church in Edinburgh (£21,923) and Stonelaw Parish Church in Rutherglen (£13,750).