Parish of Wonersh with Blackheath Policies

www.wonershchurch.com

Parish of Wonersh with Blackheath

Legislation & Policies

Put your trust in God; but mind to keep your powder dry.

The following legislation applies to church activities:-

Legislation	Who or what is affected	Policy/Information	Guidelines	Parish Contact
Charities Act 1993 and the PCC	Any charity, including churches			Vicar
Church Accounting Regulations	PCC & DCC Accounts			Vicar
Children Act	Anyone dealing with children, including letting.	Guildford Diocese Policy Parish Child Protection Policy Statement	Brief Guide to the Diocesan Child Protection Procedures CRB Website	Mary Thompson
Data Protection	Personal information (paper and computer)		The Data Protection Act 1998 : A Guide for Parishes	Molly Howard
Disability	Access to public buildings and spaces	Guildford Diocese Report "Open to All".	DSR Resources	Vicar/Wardens
Planning	Lawnsmead & Vicarage			Vicar/Wardens
The Ecclesiastical Exemption (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Order 1994	The CofE has its own controls for buildings by Faculty		The Diocese of Guildford \| DAC	Vicar/Wardens
TPO – Waverley District Council and Waverley Conservation Areas	Both churches are in Conservation Areas			Vicar/Wardens
Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. and H&S (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998.	All building users, including letting	Wonersh Health and Safety Policy	Ecclesiastical Insurance booklet and free advice	Wonersh - Vacancy Blackheath - Andrew Quaintance.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005			Fire Risk Assessment Principles for Church Premises	Vicar/Wardens ??
Licensing Act 2003	Lawnsmead Hall & Selwyn Room – Hiring of church premises.		Department for Culture Media and Sport - alcohol and entertainment	Paddy MacVean
No Smoking	All premises	Advice on smoking at work	No Smoking Signs	Vicar/Wardens
Security			Church Security Guidance Notes	Vicar/Wardens
General Maintenance			A to Z Church Maintenance
Climate Change	Energy audit & efficiency		Shrinking the Footprint	Vicar/Wardens

Child Protection

The Parish Child Protection Policy Statement is based on that of Guildford Diocese - Policy & CRB Resources. All those who work with children and young people are CRB-checked. The Parish has a volunteer Child Protection Representative, Mary Thompson), and the PCC reviews and confirms the policy each year.

Health and Safety

The PCC has adopted a Health and Safety Policy. Blackheath DCC has developed and adopted a H&S Policy and Management File specifically for St Martin’s church. The PCC has a volunteer H&S adviser (post currently vacant) who, as part of the Buildings Team, helps the PCC to review the policy regularly. This Policy is for the benefit of every person who comes onto church property. It is not just for a select few, and everyone must have some knowledge of the points it covers. Each of us is responsible for our own safety, and for those around us. Some people have to have a deeper knowledge than others. The following is a guide but it is your own responsibility to ensure you have identified and understand the relevant section applicable to the task being carried out:-

· Every member of the leadership team, including ministry and PCC members must become familiar with this policy.

· Anyone working in or around the parish buildings, on a voluntary basis, must know about our policy on Safety of Plant & Machinery (C9), Working at High Levels (C9), Manual Handling (C11).

· If you use cleaning materials check the COSHH leaflets, look at Hazardous Substances (C5)

· Contractors (eg being paid) must comply with our policy (including Contractors (C18)) and also their own Policy (when applicable).

· Everyone who enters the buildings on more than just an occasional basis should have a knowledge of First Aid (C1) and General Fire Safety C2.

· Those responsible for the various activities (fetes, bellringers, walks, youth work etc) within the parish must be familiar with appropriate Risk Assessments – Other Activities (C16) and Risk Assessments (C17).

· If you are involved in the preparation or handling of food, especially at Lawnsmead, check Food Handling (C10)

· Working alone in the church – check Personal Safety (C15)

A guide Fire Risk Assessment Principles for Church Premises from the Churches Main Committee (CMainC) gives the main steps to carrying out a fire risk assessment and has some helpful checklists. The latest legislation is The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Guidance will be provided for those who need to undertake Risk Assessments. A file of completed Risk Assessments is kept in the Church Office.

Disability Policy

We have the desire and will do all that is necessary to encourage all disabled people to come to Christ. We have level wide access for wheelchairs into the church, including fire exits. We have a hearing loop for those wearing hearing aids. A formal policy will be produced in due course. We use the Guildford Diocesan document Open to All.

Insurance

The church’s insurers are Ecclesiastical Insurance.

www.wonershchurch.com