Parsonage Houses and Housing Policy - House for Duty
House for Duty
"House for Duty" is one possible way in some
places of responding to the difficulties caused by the shortage of stipendiary
clergy. It is an arrangement whereby a priest can live in the Parsonage House
in exchange for carrying out certain duties in the parish, but without receiving
a stipend. The priest may be retired or possibly a non-stipendiary minister
receiving an income in some other way but still able to offer time to ministry.
Any agreement on a "House for Duty" arrangement
will last for five years or until the priest reaches the age of 70, whichever
is the sooner. Any agreement may be renewed for a further period at the end
of five years, and a future agreement may either be for a specified number
of years up to a further five years, or on an annual basis. In the case of
clergy over the age of 70 it can only be on an annual basis. The Archdeacon
should conduct review of licences about six months before the expiry of a
licence. The priest may resign giving at least three months notice.
The exact terms of the occupation of the house will
be determined in each case, but normally the Bishop's licence will direct
the priest to live there and he will occupy it on the same terms as a
priest-in-charge. The Diocese will assume responsibility for major maintenance,
but decoration when the priest moves in will be the responsibility of the
parish.
Moving expenses and resettlement grants will be paid
by the Diocese as for any priest moving to a new parish, but removal expenses
when they leave the parish will not be paid. Parishes should meet expenses
incurred in connection with parochial responsibilities in full. Frees for
any occasional offices taken by the priest in the parish or for parishioners
will be payable either to the Incumbent or to the sequestration account.
If a Parsonage house is provided on a House for Duty
arrangement instead of for an incumbent the parish will pay the housing charge
through the Common Fund in the normal way. The appointed person will pay gas
and electric. The PCC will pay the water rates. The Diocese will maintain
the house and pay the council tax. It is expected that for a house for duty
appointment to operate in this way the appointed person will carry out Sunday
duties plus at least 2 other days. The house is for themselves and their family.
If they wish to share the house with others then this can be achieved by agreement
with the Diocese. Market rent would be paid to the Diocese net of any deductions
in respect of heat, light, power etc.
If the appointed person is to carry out less than
Sunday duties plus two other days the equivalent of market rent for each day
below this level will be paid to the Diocese, (Formula to be devised/Tax implication
to be checked.)
