Caring for the brave
A new ministry
Chaplaincy to the selfless crew of the Mablethorpe Lifeboat
Changing the way we think about ordination
page 20
page 7
No 30 Lent 2011 FREE Diocese of Lincoln newspaper www.lincoln.anglican.org
crosslincs
Diocese offers utility savings Will Harrison
W
ith the cost of utilities set to increase again this year, the Diocese of Lincoln is introducing a new service to help minimise the impact of higher costs and save churches money. The Diocese has partnered with a leading UK energy brokerage to create ChurchSave, a service which will enable churches, clergy and PCC members to benefit from the ability to benchmark their current costs and switch to a better-value tariff if appropriate. LSI Utility Brokers manage the energy portfolios of some of the largest UK businesses and the major charities, and are able to negotiate exceptionally good rates for churches. A full website is in development which aims to bring additional procurement opportunities for PCCs over the next year. Resources Consultant Simon Bland said: “As an absolute priority, benchmarking your utility costs is the easiest way to see if you can make savings. “Already during the pilot phase, we have seen savings of nearly £3,000 for an individual church, and where price rises are required, these have been at seven per cent rather than the 24 per cent quoted on renewal.”
ChurchSave benchmarking results Current tariff
ChurchSave tariff
Saving
£5,800
£3,012
48%
£5,404
£4,330
19%
£810
£871
+7.6%
rather than +24%
Church premises are now classified as ‘micro-businesses’ and have enjoyed better protection since 2010. Churches do not need to pay the Climate Change Levy and can reclaim any payments made in error. “As prices continue to rise, there has never been a better time to ensure that you are getting the best deal, and not wasting money stuck on an expensive tariff,” said Simon. The Diocese has also negotiated access to a domestic service for members of a congregation: more information can be found at www.churchsave.org “Even if you are currently in a contract you can register your interest at lincoln@churchsave.org notifying us of your contract end date and we will contact you in plenty of time for you to make an informed decision,” said Simon.
Honours bestowed: Audrey Wayman, Jane Weeks, Jean Coates, and the Revd Mark Briscoe are pictured with the Head of the School of Theology, Canon Mark Hocknull on their graduation. They were each awarded the School’s BA(Hons) in Theology. The Revd Paul Salmon and the Revd Graham Thornalley also graduated in January.
No faith no bar to school access
P
lans for a brand-new Church school in North Lincolnshire are progressing as the newly-formed temporary governing body agrees the admissions policy. The governors and the Diocese of Lincoln have agreed the vision for the school, which is based on four principles and promotes a distinctive Christian ethos and value to achieve the overarching aim for pupils to become “confident, successful learners and ultimately responsible citizens.” St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary School on Scunthorpe’s Lakeside development, on the eastern edge of the town, will be developing open-mindedness and will take spiritual development seriously, personalise the curriculum and learning experience for each child, foster a culture of
inclusion and partner with other community and church schools, the Diocese, the Local Authority and wider community. There will be 90 places available when the school opens next year. The Diocese of Lincoln’s Deputy Director of Education, Paul Thompson, who is overseeing the establishment of the school for the Diocese, said: “These places will be weighted towards Foundation Stage and Key Stage One where demand is expected to be greater. “The Foundation Stage children will be admitted under the normal co-ordinated arrangements and families with children in years one to six will be informed by public notice that they can apply for places from May 2012 following an open day.”
Paul explained that the governors have agreed that they will use the North Lincolnshire’s over subscription criteria. “From September 2013, the school will be able to accommodate 30 pupils in each year group equating to 210 pupils in the school,” he said. However, the school will not use faith criteria in its admissions policy. Having elected Dr Hilary Beverley as chair, and the parish priest the Revd Peter Liley as vice-chair, the governing body is now advertising for a head teacher for the school (see page 19). “Being a headteacher of a brand new school is a rare and exciting opportunity and it is hoped that the position will attract a strong field of candidates,” said Paul.