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PAGE ›› 18 THE PROPERTY HANDBOOK • Drapes or blinds • Adequate heating for all living areas and the study Your manse needs to be safe Congregations with property (including a manse) have responsibilities and liabilities for these. All practical steps should be taken to eliminate, isolate and minimise any potential hazards. Refer to the Risk Management Handbook provided free by the Church’s insurers, or call the Church Property Trustees. For further information, see www.presbyterianworkingsafe.org.nz. Safety checklist • Fencing, paths, steps, staircases and railings, decking and verandas are sound and free of obstructions. • Exterior lighting is installed as appropriate. • Interior wiring, plugs and appliances are safety tested. • Hot water temperature is appropriate. • Smoke detectors are installed and working, and emergency exits available. • Ensure there is an alternative exit from upstairs in the event of a fire. • Secure storage for dangerous substances. When thinking of safety, anticipate that children will visit the manse, even if the current manse family itself does not have children.
PAGE ›› 19 THE PROPERTY HANDBOOK SECTION 02 Borrowing by parishes Trustees’ discretion All borrowing is at the absolute discretion of the Church Property Trustees. This includes a capacity to vary the routine conditions in exceptional circumstances, including the refusal of authorisation of applications. Limits on borrowing • Maximum of 50% of the cost of a project may generally be borrowed. • Loans on low or nil interest are included in this condition. • The borrowing term is limited to a maximum of 15 years. Why there are limits • To ensure wide parish buy-in to proposals. • To ensure current parish members do not overburden future members. • To prevent over-commitment. Required approvals • Whole-hearted congregational support of the proposed borrowing, including formal voting of 80% support at the relevant congregational meeting. • Formal presbytery/UDC endorsement of the proposal to borrow. • Presbytery/UDC assessment of the viability of the proposal, including capacity to service the borrowing. Urgent proposals In exceptional circumstances, the Trustees will consider urgent proposals, under stringent conditions. Contact the Secretary to the Trustees for details. Legal issues Your solicitor will prepare a Memorandum of Mortgage. It will include a clause limiting liability to the property over which the loan is secured. It should read something like this: “The liability of the Trustees under the terms of this Memorandum of Mortgage shall be limited to the property as set out in the schedule hereto, and shall not constitute a debt payable by the Trustees or their successors in office out of any other fund or property.”
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