The Statement of Need is a document of preferably no more than two sides of A4 paper. It should be produced and agreed by the Parochial Church Council (PCC). It should set out what the church needs to take its Mission forward. In the Diocese of London the Statement of Needs should be closely linked with the parish Mission Action Plan.
If physical changes are to be made to important historic elements of the building it will be necessary to justify the alterations. The Statement of Needs should set out the needs and the reasons for the changes to be made.
For example, if the PCC wants to remove the pews from the Nave, then the Statement of Need must explain why. In this case it will usually be to provide a more comfortable environment and a more flexible layout. The statement of needs should then go on to explain why a more flexible layout is required. It could be to enable community use of the building, to accommodate different worship layouts, to make room for the drum kit!
Always assume that whoever is to read the Statement has no idea of what the PCC intends. The document should explain clearly and thoroughly.
If you need further advice on this please contact your Archdeacon or the Care of Churches Team.
