Ecclesiastical Trusts and Parish Property

The majority are excepted from registration with the Charity Commission. For the great majority of these trusts the PCC, or the incumbent and churchwardens of the parish concerned, are the managing trustees and are responsible for day to day management of trust affairs and property; however DBF consent is required for legal transactions.

The Finance Committee of the Board meets eight times a year and the Trust Report presented at each meeting may include requests for the Board’s approval of: 

• Acquisitions or disposals (sale or lease) of property held under the provisions of the PCC (Powers) Measures
• Sales or leases of property held under the Incumbents and Churchwardens (Trusts) Measure 1964 or specific trust deeds.
• Expenditure of proceeds of sale of the above
• Applications to the Charity Commission for Schemes or Orders
• Applications to the Charity Commission under sections 74 and 75 of the Charities Act 1993 (small charities provisions)
• Release of capital, where allowed by the trust deed.
• Vesting of new trusts 

The Trust Officer also provides general guidance to parochial officials on charities not vested with the Board upon which they have become ex-officio trustees by virtue of their ecclesiastical office.

PCCs or Incumbents and Churchwardens wishing to enter into any legal transactions involving trust or PCC property are advised to seek guidance from the Trust Officer,  pastoral@salisbury.anglican.org  (tel 01722 438650) at an early stage in their planning, with regard to the provisions of the relevant trust deed, the PCC (Powers) Measure and the requirements of the Charities Act. 

Since 2008 the Diocesan Board of Finance has been engaged in a project to register all land in parish, Board and benefice ownership with HM Land Registry and has service level agreements with the Land Registry to help parishes do this. See Voluntary Land Registration.

Click here to see answers to some frequently asked questions about parish trusts.