Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

59. Memorials to the Conference
The Methodist Church works on asylum
issues largely through the Churches
Refugee Network (CRN), which provides
assistance for church-based support for
refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
CRN runs an annual conference
and coordinates some lobbying and
campaigning work with the Churches. They
would be key partners for the Methodist
Church in raising these issues with other
Churches and with government.
The Conference therefore encourages
Methodists to ask their MPs to sign
the ‘Still Human, Still Here’ declaration
on permission to work, and asks the
Connexional Team to work with the
Churches Refugee Network to raise these
issues with government and in the Church.
Methodist property is held upon Model
Trusts for the purposes of the Methodist
Church as set out in Section 4 of the
1976 Methodist Church Act and therefore
any use of the premises must be in
accordance with the purposes of the
Methodist Church. The primary purpose of
a manse is for the residence of a minister
but where a manse is not required for
occupation by a minister the property
can be let under Model Trust 16(e) for a
rent. Standing Order 929(2)(iv) requires
the consent of the Circuit Meeting to be
obtained before a manse can be used for
any other purpose which is in furtherance
or incidental to a purpose of the Church.
Model Trust 16(e) provides that a rent or
other consideration must be obtained for
a letting of model trust property. However
the Model Trusts and Standing Orders
do not prohibit a Circuit agreeing that a
manse can be let at an undervalue or for
some other consideration if it is deemed
appropriate use of the premises that would
further the purposes of the Methodist
Church. The Circuit and Local Church also
need to recognise their responsibilities
as managing trustees to act in the best
interest of the Local Church as a charity
when making such a decision. Any use of
Methodist property must be in accordance
with the law and the people residing in the
property must have a right to be in the UK
as someone seeking asylum. It must be
noted that Standing Order 929(5) requires
a binding written agreement to be entered
into by all parties to the arrangement.
The Conference hence confirms that the
Model Trusts and Standing Order do allow
a Circuit to agree to a manse being used
to offer accommodation to those seeking
asylum at less than the market rent or for
some other consideration. However there
must be a binding written agreement with
those residing in the property. The Circuit
must also be satisfied that the use of the
manse in this way would be a furtherance
of the purposes of the Methodist Church
and is an appropriate use of model
trust property, and that the letting at an
undervalue is in the best interest of the
Local Church as a charity.
M36 Christian presence in British society
The West Somerset (24/25) Circuit
Meeting (Present: 23. Voting: 18 for, 5
against) notes with concern the erosion
of a visible Christian presence in
contemporary British culture and society.
We believe this challenge is made to the
right to a lawful freedom of expression
796 Conference Agenda 2012