900 Trusts and Standing Orders. (1) In their application to property these Standing Orders are supplementary to the trusts and other legal powers and obligations arising under the trust instruments relating to the property or under the general law; in the event of any conflict between these Standing Orders and any such trust or legal obligation the latter prevails. (2) Where, by virtue of the provisions of the Model Trusts or otherwise, the Conference has power to regulate by Standing Order the exercise by trustees of any power, duty or discretion vested in them as such trustees, compliance with such Standing Orders is a requirement both of law and of Methodist polity. (3) Subject to clauses (1) and (2) above these Standing Orders have the same force and authority, as part of the polity and discipline of the Methodist Church, in relation to property as to other subjects. (4) Where church property is not held on the Model Trusts any provisions of these Standing Orders framed by reference to the terms of the Model Trusts shall take effect and be applied as nearly as the circumstances admit. (5) The provisions of clauses (1) to (4) above apply to all Standing Orders affecting property, whether or not contained in this Part.
901 Vesting of New Property. All land acquired for use as local, circuit or district property or otherwise on behalf of any Local Church, Circuit or District shall be vested in the custodian trustees on the trusts of the Model Trusts or, if a scheme under the Sharing of Church Buildings Act 1969 has been approved in accordance with Section 93, in the trustees and on the trusts provided for by that scheme, and no person or church court shall permit the acquisition, or any step towards the acquisition, of any such land unless satisfied that it will be so vested. As to who are the custodian trustees see S.O. 006 (3)(b)
902 Model Trusts Consultation. The power of the Conference to prescribe what shall be appropriate consultation' for the purposes of paragraphs 3(2), 6(1), 8(1), 8(3) and 9 of the Model Trusts shall be exercised by the adoption of regulations, which shall be published in accordance with Standing Order 124(9). See Book VI, Part 6.
903 Care and Custody of Deeds. (1) A fire-proof safe or safes may be provided in each Circuit for documents of title relating to local and circuit property and in any District or by any connexional organisation for those relating to district or connexional property respectively. (2) All documents of title in the possession or under the control of any managing trustees shall be kept in a safe provided in accordance with clause (1) above or shall be deposited with a clearing bank. (3) A register of all documents of title and other documents relating to local or circuit property shall be kept in each Circuit and of those relating to district or connexional property in each District and by each connexional organisation respectively. Every such register shall be made and preserved in a book and the documents shall be compared annually with the register, in the case of those relating to local and circuit property by the Superintendent and the senior circuit steward or some other person appointed for the purpose by the Circuit Meeting, and in the case of district and connexional property by some person appointed by the trustees. (4) This Standing Order does not apply to documents of title relating to land in the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. In the Isle of man and the Channel Islands the relevant legislation requires documents of title to be held by the custodian trustees, as defined in S.O. 006 (3)(b).
904 Connexional Trustees. Unless otherwise provided in the Standing Orders relating to the connexional organisation concerned the connexional trustees for any connexional property or part or category of such property shall be the persons, being church members, annually appointed as such by the parent body. See the definition of connexional trustees' in para. 1 of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2). For the meaning of connexional organisation' and parent body' see S.O.s 906, 907. Only persons of full age may be managing trustees of model trust property (s. 9 (3) of the 1976 Act. Vol. 1 p. 13). In Great Britain persons of 18 years and over are of full age.
905 Interpretation Schemes. In this Part references to schemes' are to any of the matters requiring approval under Standing Order 930, any application of the capital or income of a circuit Advance Fund and any other dealing with or action relating to property for which the trustees of that property require the approval or consent of the connexional Property Committee or of any church court or officers under the Model Trusts or these Standing Orders, except delegation of powers or duties under Standing Order 911, directions under Standing Order 915(2)(iii) and (v) and capitalisation of revenue reserves under Standing Order 915(6). For the regulations affecting circuit Advance Funds, see S.O. 955. See also S.O. 355(6).
906 Interpretation Connexional Organisations. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, connexional organisation' has the meaning assigned to it by paragraph 1 of the Model Trusts [. . .].
907 Interpretation Parent Bodies. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, parent body' means in relation to district property or district trustees the relevant Synod or Synods, in relation to conference property the Conference and in relation to connexional property or connexional trustees the board, general committee or other body administering the affairs of the relevant connexional organisation.
908 Interpretation Investment Property. In this Part land held as an investment means land which is church property but which either is let or for other reasons is not used for any of the purposes specified in heads (b) to (m) of paragraph 13 of the Model Trusts (in this Part called Methodist trust purposes ) and which in either event has not at any time while it has been church property been used for Methodist trust purposes. For the purposes of this definition land includes buildings (see the note to S.O. 006(1)).
910 Proceedings of Trustees. (1) The proceedings of Circuit Meetings and Church Councils while acting as managing trustees shall be governed by the Standing Orders affecting the proceedings of those bodies generally. See in particular S.O. 502, 517, 518, 613(3), 615 and 616. (2) The proceedings of conference trustees, connexional trustees and district trustees shall be governed by the regulations (if any) in that behalf made by the parent body. Any such regulations may include provisions authorising the chairman of such trustees to take action between meetings of the trustees in such circumstances, to such extent and on such conditions as the parent body may think fit. For the meaning of parent body' see S.O. 907. (3) Subject to clauses (1) and (2) above the determination of what is necessary or expedient for the purposes of the Model Trusts and of all other questions falling to be decided by managing trustees shall be by the vote of the majority of the managing trustees present at the relevant meeting and voting, and if the votes are equal the chairman shall have a [. . .] casting vote, whether or not he or she has already voted. (4) Subject to clauses (1), (2) and (3) above managing trustees may regulate their own procedure. (5)(a) The regulations made by the Conference under clause (2) above as parent body to govern the proceedings of conference trustees are as follows. (b) The trustees may fix the time and place of their next meeting, and if they do so no further consultation or consent is required for the calling of that meeting as so fixed. (c) Subject to (b) above a meeting of the trustees shall be called only by or with the consent of the chairman, except that if the chairman refuses to call or consent to the calling of a meeting requested in writing by not less than one third of the trustees then the meeting may be called by the secretary or by any three other members. (d) Fourteen days written notice shall be given of every meeting, except that in case of emergency, as judged by the chairman, a meeting may be called on such notice as is practicable. (e) In the absence of the chairman from a properly convened meeting the trustees present shall elect a chairman from among themselves. (f) The rules comprising clauses (5) to (7) and (10) to (25) of Standing Order 413 shall apply to the conduct of meetings, with the necessary substitutions. (g) In cases of urgency, if it is impracticable to call a meeting of the trustees, even on short notice, the chairman may take, after such consultation with other trustees as is practicable, any action which he or she considers necessary for the protection of the trust property or in furtherance of the responsibilities of the trustees, provided that such action is not contrary to the provisions of the Model Trusts or of any Standing Order made thereunder or to any subsisting resolution of the Conference or of the trustees.
911 Delegation. (1) Subject to the consents required by clauses (2) and (3) below any managing trustees may at any time delegate all or any of their powers or duties under the Model Trusts to any of the bodies or committees specified in paragraph 16(k) of the Model Trusts, or withdraw any such delegation. For para. 16(k) of the Model Trusts see Book II, Part 2. (2) Any such delegation by a Circuit Meeting or Church Council shall, unless expressly or impliedly prescribed or permitted by some other Standing Order, require the consents of the district Policy Committee and the connexional Property Committee. See S.O. 941(i) and 954(ii) duties of local and circuit property committees. (3) Any such delegation by connexional trustees or district trustees shall require the consent of the parent body. For the meaning of parent body' see S.O. 907.
912 Committees and Officers. (1) The appointment and dismissal of committees, stewards, treasurers or other officers or servants by connexional trustees or district trustees shall be governed by the regulations (if any) in that behalf made by the parent body. (2) Subject to clause (1) above and to the Standing Orders affecting appointments by Circuit Meetings and Church Councils any managing trustees may at any time exercise the powers specified in paragraph 16(l) of the Model Trusts. For para. 16(l) of the Model Trusts see Book II, Part 2. As to appointments by Circuit Meetings and Church Councils see in particular S.O. 504, 550, 551, 641 and 642.
913 Accounts. (1) All managing trustees shall ensure that provision is made for accounts to be kept so that all receipts and payments and all debits and credits relating to property are promptly and accurately recorded and sufficiently explained. The accounts relating to local and circuit property shall be open to inspection at any time by the Superintendent and by the auditor or independent examiner, as the case may be. This and the next clause are authorised by para. 19(f) of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2). For the auditor or independent examiner see S.O. 012(3). (2) All such accounts shall be audited or examined annually. Subject to clause (3) below the auditors or examiners for general property shall be appointed by the Methodist Council. The auditors or examiners for connexional property and district property shall be appointed by the relevant parent bodies. The auditors or examiners for circuit property shall be appointed by the Circuit Meeting. In accordance with Standing Order 636 the auditor or examiner for the local property account shall be appointed by the Church Council. For the meaning of parent body' see S.O. 907. (3) (a) Where new model trust property is general property under paragraph 3(1) of the Model Trusts the provisions of this clause as to audit or independent examination shall apply. (b) If the property ceases to be general property before the expiration of its first accounting period and no earlier audit or examination has been required the auditor or examiner for the period during which it was general property shall be appointed by reference to the category of model trust property into which it next falls. (c) If sub-clause (b) does not apply and it becomes necessary to appoint auditors or examiners in respect of an accounting period ending within twelve months of the property's becoming model trust property then: (i) if the managing trustee has delegated his or her powers and duties in relation to that property to a body or committee under paragraph 16(k) of the Model Trusts, either generally or for purposes which include those of this Standing Order, the auditors or examiners shall be appointed by that body or committee; (ii) if not, the auditors or examiners shall be appointed by the custodian trustees. (d) If neither sub-clause (b) nor sub-clause (c) applies then any auditors or examiners required shall be appointed by the Methodist Council in accordance with clause (2) above. (4) The provisions of clauses (1) to (3) above are in addition to and not in place of those of Standing Order 012. (5) The financial year for all Methodist properties shall close on the 31st August.
914 Investments. All moneys subject to the Model Trusts and requiring investment shall be invested through and in the name of the custodian trustees. As to these trustees see S.O. 006 (3)(b). As to what investments are authorised see para. 17 of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2).
915 Capital and Income. (1) The following clauses of this Standing Order shall have effect by virtue of paragraph 19(1)(c) of the Model Trusts and subject to the provisions of that paragraph. Para. 19 (1)(c) of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2) empowers the Conference to prescribe by Standing Order what shall be deemed to be capital and what income for the purposes of the administration of the Model Trusts. (2) The following shall be deemed to be capital for the purposes of the administration of the Model Trusts and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 916: (i) the proceeds of any sale of model trust property; (ii) money raised by any appeal specifically for the acquisition of land or the erection or alteration of any building; (iii) the whole or such proportion as the connexional Property Committee may direct, either generally or in the specific instance, of charges and rents from licences or lettings of former places of worship or circuit manses pending disposal; (iv) the whole or such part as may be required to be added to capital under Standing Order 955(7) of the interest, dividends or other fruits arising from any circuit Advance Fund or from money liable to be paid into a circuit Advance Fund; (v) legacies and bequests, unless the connexional Property Committee otherwise directs. For para. 16(b) of the Model Trusts see Book II, Part 2. (3) Subject to clauses (5) and (6) below the following shall be deemed to be income for the purposes of the administration of the Model Trusts and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of standing Order 917: (i) charges and rents from licences or lettings of Model Trust property, except as provided in clause (2)(iii) above; (ii) dividends and interest on the investment or deposit of money, except as provided in clause (2)(iv) above; (iii) in the case of local property, allocations and contributions to the property fund from Sunday collections, stewardship or envelope schemes, or from other income of the general church fund, or from Sunday School or other church departments or groups and all other moneys raised in the Local Church for the upkeep and maintenance of the property; (iv) in the case of circuit property, allocations from the circuit assessment and all other moneys raised in the Circuit for the upkeep and maintenance of the property; (v) in the case of district property, allocations from the district assessment, charges to residents in student hostels, recurring grants for the work of such hostels and all other moneys raised in the District for the upkeep and maintenance of the property; (vi) in the case of connexional property, allocations from the general income administered by the parent body. (4) Subject to clauses (5) and (6) below all other moneys coming to the hands of trustees of model trust property shall be deemed to be capital or income for the purposes of the administration of the Model Trusts as the connexional Property Committee may direct either generally or in the specific instance. In the absence of an applicable general direction the managing trustees shall obtain a specific direction forthwith. No giving, amendment or withdrawal of a general direction by the Property Committee shall affect the category of moneys already duly allocated to income or capital. (5) Nothing in this Standing Order or in any direction given thereunder shall require any money to be deemed to be income which cannot in law be allowed to be held by managing trustees or in a bank account to the credit of managing trustees. (6) Notwithstanding any other provision in these Standing Orders managing trustees may at any time, with the consent of the connexional Property Committee, capitalise any sum or sums forming the whole or part of one or more revenue reserve accounts in their books. The consent of the committee may be particular or may relate generally to sums identified by reference to the nature or origin of the reserve or in some other way.
916 Application of Capital Money. (1) Capital money shall be held by the custodian trustees and, subject to the following clauses of this Standing Order, shall be applied by the managing trustees to or for the following purposes and in the following order: (i) in payment of the expenses, if any, of or connected with the sale or other transaction giving rise to the receipt of the money; (ii) unless the parent body (in the case of connexional property) or the connexional Property Committee (in any other case) otherwise permits, in the discharge of all or any encumbrances or liabilities on the trust property or on the trustees, whether personal or otherwise, lawfully incurred or assumed in the execution of the Model Trusts or by virtue of section 11 of the 1976 Act; (iii) unless the treasurer or treasurers of the fund in question otherwise permit, in repayment of any grant at any time received in connection with the trust property from any connexional fund; (iv) in making such payment, if any, to the Connexional Advance and Priority Fund as may be required by the provisions of Standing Order 972; (v) where the money arises from any sale, letting or other disposition of model trust property approved under Standing Order 930 as part of a scheme involving the appropriation of the proceeds to particular purposes, in carrying into effect that scheme of appropriation; (vi) where Standing Order 955 applies, in paying the balance or (under clause (5) of that Standing Order) the appropriate part of the balance into the relevant circuit Advance Fund, and thereafter in applying the same in accordance with the provisions of that Standing Order; (vii) subject to the above and to any consents or approvals required by the Model Trusts or by Standing Orders, for such of the purposes specified in clause (4) below as the managing trustees may from time to time decide. For the authority to make this Standing Order see paras. 18, 19 (1)(d) and (e) of the Model Trusts (Book II Part 2). As to the custodian trustees see S.O. 006 (3)(b). For s. 11 of the 1976 Act see Vol. 1. p. 16. As to (ii) and (iii) see clause (3) below. (2) Clause (1) of this Standing Order shall not govern the application of capital money in a district Advance Fund, which shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 963(3). (3) Capital money received by way of legacy, or arising from the sale, letting or other disposition of property which has been received by way of devise or bequest and is not required for Methodist purposes, need not be applied for the purposes specified in clause (1)(ii) or (iii) above unless the managing trustees so decide. (4) The purposes referred to in clause (1)(vii) above are: (i) those of paragraph 13(a) of the Model trusts; (ii) those permitted by paragraph 20(1) of the Model Trusts; (iii) the promotion of the work of God in the relevant church organisation, as specified in clause (5) below; (iv) any other charitable purpose for the time being of that church organisation; (v) the establishment or subvention of a district Advance Fund; (vi) any charitable purpose of a Housing Association if either the Housing Association is subsidiary or ancillary to the Church or the application of the capital money is made in furtherance of ecumenical work or activity within the purposes of the relevant church body; (vii) the exercise of any power conferred on the managing trustees by paragraph 16 of the Model trusts; (viii) any of the purposes to or for which income may be applied under heads (i) to (ix) of Standing Order 917(1), but subject always to clause (6) below; (ix) any other purpose specifically authorised by the Conference, provided it is one of the purposes of the Church. For paras. 13(a), 20(l) and 16 of the Model Trusts see Book II, Part 2. For district Advance Funds see S.O. 963(3) and cl. (2) above. For the conditions upon which capital money can be granted to a Housing Association see S.O. 935. For the purposes of the Church see s. 4 of the Methodist Church Act 1976 (Vol. 1, p. 10). (5) For the purposes of heads (iii) and (iv) of clause (4) above the relevant church organisation is the Methodist Council or other connexional organisation, the District, the Circuit, the Local Church, or other the church body in connection with which the relevant model trust property is held. (6) Capital money may not be applied by virtue of head (viii) of clause (4) above to the purposes specified in that head if it arises from the sale, letting or other disposition of land which is local, circuit or district property and is not land held as an investment. Approval is required under S.O. 930(2), (3), 931 (1)(vii) for all applications of capital money under clause (1) (vii) of this Standing Order except the expenditure of bequests up to _1,000.
917 Application of Income. (1) Income shall be applied by the managing trustees in the first place to or for the purposes set out in heads (i), (ii) and (iii) below and subject thereto for such other of the following purposes and in such amounts as the managing trustees may from time to time decide: (i) the payment of all taxes, assessments, rates and other outgoings lawfully payable in respect of the trust property and of all rents, hire charges and similar payments due in respect of any part of the trust property held on lease, hire, licence or similar terms; (ii) the payment of insurance premiums adequately to insure the trust property against destruction or damage by fire and other such perils as require to be insured against and to insure the trustees against such other risks and liabilities as they may be likely to incur; (iii) the payment of interest due on all moneys borrowed by the managing trustees in the execution of the Model Trusts or due from them by virtue of section 11 of the 1976 Act or otherwise charged upon the trust property; (iv) the repair, maintenance and decoration of the trust property; (v) the replacement of lost, worn out, damaged or unserviceable chattels comprised in the trust property; (vi) the cleaning, lighting, heating and caretaking of the trust property and the supply of water and other services; (vii) in the case of local property, the payment of the remuneration of any organist or choir director and any other expenses involved in the provision of music for the worship or other activities of the Local Church; (viii) the reimbursement of the managing trustees, their stewards, treasurers or other officers or any other person for any expenses incurred in the execution of the Model Trusts; (ix) the support of the ministers, probationers, deaconesses or deacons appointed to any Circuit or Circuits, or of any other persons employed by a Circuit or Local Church in a pastoral, evangelistic, training or similar role or as youth leaders; (x) subscription to or subvention of the funds of any other model trust property or of any of the organisations, societies, institutions or charities specified in section 4 of the 1976 Act; (xi) any of the purposes to or for which capital money may be applied under Standing Order 916. For the authority to make this Standing Order see para. 19 (1)(d) of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2). For ss. 11 and 4 of the 1976 Act see Vol. 1, pp. 16 and 10. For the employment of persons other than ministers, etc., (head ix) see S.O. 570 573, 575 and 670 672. (2) Clause (1) of this Standing Order shall not govern the application of income of a circuit or district Advance Fund, which shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 955 or 963(3) respectively.
918 Overriding Power of Sale. (1) If at any time any managing trustees of model trust property are unable to discharge the interest on moneys properly borrowed and due from them as such trustees or any other current expenses involved in the due execution of the Model Trusts by reason of lack of income or other moneys available for the discharge of such interest and other expenses then subject to clauses (2) and (3) below but notwithstanding any other provision of these Standing Orders those managing trustees shall be entitled to exercise the power of sale conferred by paragraph 16(b) of the Model Trusts without obtaining the consent of any other person or body. For para. 16(b) of the Model Trusts see Book II, Part 2. (2) No sale shall be made or contracted under clause (1) above unless the managing trustees have at least three months before an annual meeting of the Conference given notice in writing to the Secretary of the Conference and the connexional Property Secretary [. . .] of their intention to act under clause (1) above and their reasons for so intending, and have supplied to the Secretary of the Conference and the Property Secretary [. . .] such particulars of their financial position and of the state of the model trust property as either of those persons may require. (3) No such sale shall be made or contracted until six months after the opening of the meeting of the Conference referred to in clause (2) above and no such sale shall be made or contracted if within that period of six months the Conference or some other church court has provided or procured the provision to the managing trustees of such financial or other assistance or relief as will enable them to continue in the due execution of the Model Trusts.
919 Conflicts of Interest. (1) A managing trustee who has a financial interest in any question falling to be considered by the managing trustees as such shall, if present, disclose that interest to the other trustees present before the discussion of that question opens, if it is on the agenda or, if not, as soon as it is raised, and shall not preside over any discussion or vote on any resolution relating to that question. Such a trustee may, after disclosure of interest, and with the approval of a majority of the other managing trustees present, remain and contribute to the discussion, but in the absence of such approval shall withdraw from the meeting while the question is discussed and any resolutions voted upon. (2) For the purposes of this Standing Order a managing trustee has a financial interest in a question if it involves or may involve a decision whether or not the managing trustees as such shall: (i) enter into any contract with that trustee; or (ii) do anything which will or may lead to the receipt of any remuneration or other benefit in money or moneysworth by that trustee or to the loss of or a change in any such remuneration or benefit; or (iii) sell trust property to or buy property from that trustee; whether, in any of those cases, the trustee in question acts alone or jointly with one or more other persons. Head (ii) includes, for example, questions in a Circuit Meeting or Church Council as to the placing, removal, increase or decrease of insurance cover with Methodist Insurance PLC if the Superintendent or some other member of the meeting is the agent for that company. (3) A managing trustee shall not be liable to account to the trust for any benefit received (whether directly or indirectly) from such a financial interest if he or she: (i) is not present at the meeting of the managing trustees at which the relevant decision is made and has not sought to influence that decision; or (ii) is present at the relevant meeting and has complied with clause (1) above. For the authority to make this Standing Order see para. 19(g) of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2).
This Section contains the Standing Orders on the topic. Certain resolutions dealing with the use of Methodist premises by persons of other faiths were adopted by the Conference in 1972 but not promulgated as Standing Orders (see 1972 Minutes, pp. 81/2). As to restrictions on the use of chapels after sale or lease see S.O. 943(3).
920 Religious Meetings. (1) The managing trustees and (in the case of local or circuit property) the Superintendent in his or her capacity as such shall: (i) keep under review as they think fit the teaching given at all non-Methodist public religious meetings held on model trust property by the members of a church or congregation to whom permission has been granted to use such property for a period pursuant to paragraph 14 (2A) of the Model Trusts and (ii) accept general responsibility for the teaching given at all other non-Methodist public religious meetings held on Methodist premises. (2) The consent required under paragraph 14(2) of the Model Trusts shall be that of the Superintendent. (3) The consents required under paragraph 14(2A) of the Model Trusts shall be those of the Superintendent and the connexional Property Committee. For para. 14 of the Model Trusts see Book II, Part 2.
921 Political Matters. (1) Managing trustees may not sponsor meetings in support of political parties, nor may such meetings be held in the name of any other Methodist body. Nonetheless managing trustees may permit occasional use of Methodist property for political meetings by non-Methodist bodies and may sponsor meetings designed to promote informed discussion of public issues in the context of Christian theology and ethics. Before agreeing to such use, the managing trustees shall consider, in the light of any advice which the connexional Team may issue from time to time, the extent, if any, to which the granting of such permission would have a detrimental effect on the peace and unity of the Church and its witness. (2) It is not permitted to submit resolutions, or take votes, on political matters during any Methodist meeting for public religious worship, or while the congregation is assembling or dispersing. (3) It is not permitted to invite signatures for petitions on political matters during any Methodist meeting for public religious worship, or while the congregation is assembling or dispersing, except with the consent of the Church Council or of some person or persons to whom the council has delegated authority for that purpose.
922 Intoxicants. (1) Subject to clause (3) below the supply, sale or use of intoxicants on Methodist premises is not permitted in any circumstances, nor may Methodist premises be used in such a way as to advertise or promote, whether directly or by means of sponsored events, the sale or use of intoxicants. Activities forbidden on Methodist premises by this Standing Order may not take place elsewhere in the name of the Church (S.O. 014(3)). (2) In the sacrament of the Lord's Supper the wine used shall be non-alcoholic. (3) Clause (1) shall not preclude the use of alcoholic drinks on domestic occasions in private homes, nor the lawful supply, sale or use of such drinks in other residential premises with the consent of the Trustees and subject to such conditions as they may prescribe.
923 Smoking. A Church Council may decide from time to time whether all or part of the premises for which it is responsible, other than residential accommodation, shall be subject to a ban on smoking. In reaching its decision the Council shall have regard to such aspects as: any policy statement of the Methodist Conference, the health and comfort of those using the premises, fire and other safety hazards, the use to which particular rooms are put, and public policy generally.
924 Gambling. (1) Except as provided in Clause (2), no form of gambling is permitted on Methodist premises. Funds may not be raised for Church purposes by any form of gambling which could not be permitted on Methodist premises under the Standing Order (S.O. 014(1)). (2) Subject to Clause (3) below and to any specific resolution of the Conference those forms of gambling allowed by law at exempt and non- commercial entertainments may at the discretion of the trustees take place at such entertainments held on Methodist premises. See the guidance as to permitted gambling in Book VI, Part 2, Section 6. (3) Notwithstanding Clause (2) above the use of gaming machines, including Amusements with Prizes machines, and the offer or payment of cash prizes in connection with Amusements with Prizes, are prohibited in any event. (4) Methodist premises may not be used in such a way as to advertise or promote, whether directly or by means of sponsored events, any form of gambling which would not be permitted on such premises under this Standing Order.
925 Dances. Dances arranged as social functions for the members, and friends of members, of organisations meeting on Methodist premises may be held on Methodist premises. Where the organisation and conduct of a dance are directly under the control of the trustees public advertisement is permitted, subject to strict compliance with Standing Orders 922, 924 and 927; otherwise public dances are not permitted.
Managing trustees will need to ascertain and observe the various statutory and local authority requirements applicable to such events. Activities forbidden on Methodist premises by this Standing Order or S.O. 927 may not be held elsewhere in the name of the Church (S.O. 014(2)).
926 Drama. On all occasions when a dramatic licence is sought it shall be with the approval of the trustees and the application shall be made on their behalf by some person duly authorised by them and with the consent of the Superintendent.
927 Entertainments generally. (1) The primary purpose for which Methodist premises exist necessarily excludes every kind of entertainment or amusement which is inconsistent with the standards of the Church. Types of entertainment which are inimical to the spiritual life and purpose of the Church may not be allowed on Methodist premises. See second note to S.O. 925. No entertainment inconsistent with this clause may be arranged by any Methodist organisation. (S.O. 014 (2)). (2) No entertainment shall be given on Methodist premises without the programme's having been submitted to and approved by the Superintendent or his or her nominee. For guiding principles governing the use of Methodist premises for entertainments see Minutes of Conference, 1942. pp. 184f. S.O. 014 deals with the carrying on elsewhere in the name of the Methodist Church or the arranging by Methodist organisations of activities forbidden on Methodist premises by S.O. 922, 924, 925 or 927(1) above.
928 Masonic Services and Meetings. (1) Meetings of Freemasons' Lodges or other meetings for masonic purposes may not be held on Methodist premises. (2) Services exclusively for Freemasons may not be held on Methodist premises. (3) If a Freemasons' Lodge requests that a service be held on Methodist premises, the trustees may at their discretion either withhold permission or grant permission on the following conditions: (i) the service shall be one of public Christian worship held in accordance with Methodist practice and complying with the Model Trusts; (ii) the contents of the service shall first be seen and approved by the Superintendent; (iii) it shall be conducted by a person appointed by the Superintendent.
929 Authorised Uses of Dwellings. (1) In accordance with paragraph 13(g) of the Model Trusts any house or other dwelling which is model trust property may with the appropriate consents as prescribed by clause (3) or (4) below, and subject to clause (5) below, be put by the managing trustees to any of the uses specified in clause (2) below. It is important to appreciate that this Standing Order has a different function and effect from those of the others in this Section, which are concerned to regulate, and for the most part to restrict, the activities which may be carried on on Methodist premises, on whatever trusts they are held (see S.O. 900(3), (4)). This Standing Order applies only to model trust property and clauses (1) to (4) exercise the power given by para. 13(g) of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2) to declare the primary trust purposes for which residential property is held. When not required for such purposes the property can be turned to account by letting, licence or otherwise within the general powers of the managing trustees under para. 16 of the Model Trusts, with any necessary consents, and this Standing Order in no way restricts or excludes those powers, except by cl. (5), which should be carefully noted. (2) The uses referred to are: (i) as a manse or connexional dwelling under paragraph 13(g) of the Model Trusts and Standing Order 753(1), or as the residence of a deaconess or deacon under Standing Order 792(1); (ii) as the residence of a caretaker of Methodist property, of a worker employed under Standing Order 405, 570 to 573 or 670 to 672, of a minister in a local appointment under Standing Order 746 or of a supernumerary having pastoral charge by appointment of the Circuit Meeting and residing in the property as a term of that appointment; (iii) use in connection with youth and community service under a scheme approved by the connexional Team or its divisional predecessors or use by a residential community established by a Circuit or Local Church in furtherance of its purposes; (iv) any other use in furtherance of or incidental to a purpose of the Church. (3) In the case of connexional property the appropriate consent for any use is that of the parent body or any person or persons to whom that body may delegate its authority in this behalf. For the meaning of parent body' see S.O. 907. (4) In the case of district, circuit or local property the appropriate consents under each head of clause (2) above are as follows: (i) no consent is required for any use by the managing trustees within head (i) or (ii); (ii) the appropriate consents for a use within head (iii) are those of the appropriate district authority, as specified in Section 96 and, in the case of local property, that of the circuit meeting; (iii) the appropriate consents for a use within head (iv) are those specified in (ii) above and that of the connexional Property Committee. For the meaning of appropriate district authority' see S.O. 960(6) (5) Whether or not the above clauses apply and whether or not any consent is required under clause (3) or (4) above, no person shall be admitted into occupation of or allowed to reside in any house or other dwelling which is model trust property, except under head (i) of clause (2) above, unless that person has entered into and signed a binding agreement in writing with the managing trustees in terms approved by the connexional Property Committee. See also S.O. 438A(6)(iv).
930 Approval generally. (1) Subject to clauses (3), (4) and (6) below, the approval of the appropriate bodies, as specified in clause (5) below, shall be obtained before managing trustees take any of the steps specified in clause (2) below. (1A) (a) In this Section listed building works has the meaning given to it by Standing Order 980. (b) In relation to listed building works in England and Wales the provisions of Section 98 shall apply in addition to those of this Section and in case of any conflict the provisions of Section 98 shall prevail. (2) The steps requiring such approval are: (i) the acquisition, or any contract for the acquisition, of land for Methodist use; (ii) any change of use or of application of property under paragraph 13(k) of the Model Trusts; (iii) any application of the Sharing of Church Buildings Act 1969; (iv) the exercise of any power conferred by paragraph 15 or 16 of the Model Trusts, except as provided in clause (3) below; (v) the installation or repair of any organ at a cost of over _10,000; (vi) any transfer of public services from a chapel to another part of the trust property or elsewhere; (vii) any application of capital money under clause (1) (v) or (vii) of Standing Order 916, except as provided in clause (4) below; (viii) listed building works and any other works, whether structural or not, which would materially affect the internal or external appearance of a listed building or of a building in a conservation area. For paras. 13, 15 and 16 of the Model Trusts see Book II, Part 2. The provisions referred to should be consulted whenever a particular case so requires, but the general effect of this clause, read with clauses (3) and (4), is that approval is required for most steps which managing trustees may wish to take other than permitting the ordinary use of the property for Methodist purposes, making arrangements (not involving a lease or tenancy) with other users, carrying out nonstructural repair, expending bequests up to _1,000 and appointing committees and officers. As to premises for use as Sailors', Soldiers' or Airmen's Homes see also S.O. 355(6). (3) Notwithstanding clause (2) (iv) above approval is not required under this Standing Order for the exercise by managing trustees of their powers under heads (c), (g), (i) (j), (k), (l) or (m) of paragraph 16 of the Model Trusts, nor for the execution of non-structural repair under head (d) of that paragraph, but this provision is without prejudice to any other Standing Orders regulating the exercise of those powers and does not apply to steps requiring approval under clause (2) (viii) above. The heads of para. 16 of the Model Trusts referred to relate to the following matters: (c) licences for the use of the property; (d) repairs and alterations; (g) providing facilities for tenants or occupants; (i) bringing or defending actions; (j) arbitrations; (k) delegation; (l) appointment and dismissal of committees and officers; (m) general management. For details see para. 16 itself in Book II, Part 2. Heads (i), (j), (k) and (l), although not subject to approval under this Standing Order, are regulated by S.O.s 931(5), (6), 911 and 912. (4) Notwithstanding clause (2) (vii) above approval is not required under this Standing Order for the application under clause (1) (vii) of Standing Order 916 of capital money which is the whole or part of a legacy or of the proceeds of sale of a devise or bequest and is either the whole (not exceeding _1,000) or up to the first _1,000 of the legacy or proceeds. (5) (a)The appropriate bodies are: (i) in the case of connexional property, the parent body or any person or persons to whom that body may delegate its authority in this behalf; (ii) in the case of district, circuit and local property, the appropriate district authority as specified in Section 96; (iii) in the case of local property, the Circuit Meeting; (iv) in the case of general property, and as to all property [. . .] where so required by Standing Order 931(1) or sub- clause (b) below, the connexional Property Committee. For the meaning of parent body' see S.O. 903(2) (b) The approval of the connexional Property Committee shall also be required for all listed building works to church property of any description, and for any other steps requiring approval under Standing Order 930(2)(viii). (6) This Standing Order does not apply to circuit or district Advance Funds. The approval of various bodies is required under S.O. 955 for dealings with circuit Advance Funds. As to district Advance Funds see S.O. 963(3).
931 Approval by the Property Committee. (1) The approval of the connexional Property Committee shall be required for all schemes within Standing Order 930 [. . .] which involve: (i) the purchase or other acquisition of land, or (ii) the erection of a new building, or (iii) the sale or lease of land, or (iv) alteration or structural repair of a building, or (v) the obtaining of a grant, or (vi) the raising of an interest-bearing loan, or (vii) the application of capital money under head (v) or (vii) of Standing Order 916(1), or (viii) the application of the Sharing of Church Buildings Act 1969, or (ix) demolition of all or any part of a building, or (x) the installation or repair of any organ at a cost of over _10,000. See also S.O. 911(2), 929(4)(iii), 955(2). In other cases, where circuit and district sanction suffices, the district committee is to send financial details and plans to the connexional committee for record purposes (S.O. 961(2)). Note that land' in heads (i) and (iii) includes buildings (see s. 2(1) of the 1976 Act, Vol. 1, p.8, and S.O. 006(1)(ii)). As to the Sharing of Church Buildings Act see also S.O. 934. As to schemes involving the London Mission Fund see S.O. 313 (6). (2) Before considering any scheme requiring its approval and affecting a building on which there is or should be a current quinquennial report the committee may, if it thinks fit, require such a report to be produced to it. For quinquennial reports see S.O. 934(3), 952 and 966(2). (3) All contracts relating to property, conveyances, leasehold agreements, sharing agreements, deeds and declarations of every kind shall be forwarded in draft to the committee for inspection and approval before being signed. (4) Before any application is made to the Charity Commissioners (or to any court or other authority having jurisdiction in relation to charities) for any order affecting Methodist property the advice of the committee shall be obtained, and all drafts of proposed orders of the Charity Commissioners, court or other authority shall be submitted to the committee before they are accepted. (5) Except by direction of the Conference trustees shall not, without the written consent of the committee: (i) bring any action or refer or join in a reference to arbitration in respect of any Methodist property, or any matter relating thereto; (ii) make any application for consent to demolish a listed building nor any other application in relation to a building which is listed or is in a conservation area which could result in an official inquiry (whether public or by written submission); (iii) make any application to a statutory tribunal or similar body. (6) If any action is brought against trustees, or any dispute or difference between them and another party is submitted to a statutory tribunal or similar body or to arbitration, or becomes the subject of an appeal or official, inquiry or if any public authority takes any step which may lead to the making of an order or the holding of an inquiry affecting Methodist property, the trustees shall at once inform the connexional Team. (7) If conditions are attached to any offer or prospective offer of grant-aid from non-Methodist sources from which Methodist property may benefit, the trustees shall inform the committee and the conditions shall not be accepted without the committee's consent.
932 Requirements. (1) Before giving approval to any scheme the appropriate bodies must be satisfied that: (i) the church court which constitutes the managing trustees or is their parent body has adopted a mission policy statement with which the scheme accords; (ii) the plans take into account any guidelines and advice supplied by the connexional Team; (iii) the trustees will have sufficient funds at their disposal to meet the cost of the scheme as it proceeds and any loans will be repaid in accordance with Standing Order 933 or 934(2), as the case may be. (2) In considering any scheme affecting the activities of a Local Church the appropriate bodies shall have regard to the role of the Local Church as a centre of worship and mission and shall make every effort to give effect to proper pastoral concerns.
933 Time Limits. Before giving consent to any expenditure the appropriate bodies shall be satisfied that the scheme can be completed and the entire outlay defrayed within five years after the approval of the scheme unless they specifically approve a defined longer period. They shall not approve such a longer period unless (i) there are exceptional circumstances making it appropriate, and (ii) a satisfactory scheme for the liquidation of debt has been submitted.
934 Shared Schemes. (1) Where a new building, alteration or extension is to be part of a shared scheme under the Sharing of Church Buildings Act 1969 the approval of the connexional Property Committee shall have regard to the property regulations and practices of the other participating denominations. All such schemes require the approval of the committee (S.O. 931). (2) In the case of such a shared scheme all reasonable measures shall be taken to complete the scheme and clear all debt within five years of its approval by the committee. Any debt beyond that period shall be sanctioned only if proposals for its early liquidation are approved by the other participating denominations and by the committee. (3) Where, under such a shared scheme, the property is model trust property responsibility for quinquennial inspections shall fall upon the Circuit Meeting. Where the building is in joint ownership an arrangement shall be made by the joint council whereby the regulations of one of the participating denominations for quinquennial or comparable periodic inspections and reports are complied with and the reports are made to or shared with the Circuit Meeting. Where the property is held on the trusts of another participating denomination that denomination's regulations shall be complied with and the report shared with the Circuit Meeting. For quinquennial inspections generally see S.O. 952. (4) In such shared schemes, the Methodist Church Council shall be responsible for making annual returns of local property as required by Standing Order 941(iii) and (vii).
935 Housing Associations. (1) Before authorising any disposition of model trust property to a Housing Association under paragraph 20(1) of the Model Trusts or approving any scheme for the grant of capital money to a Housing Association under Standing Order 955(3)(a) or 916(1)(vii) the connexional Property Committee shall: (i) satisfy itself that the purposes of the Housing Association are wholly charitable and that either the Association is subsidiary or ancillary to the Church or the disposition or grant is made in furtherance of ecumenical work or activity within the purposes of the relevant church body or of the fund out of which the grant is made; (ii) consider whether the capital money to be granted, the property to be disposed of, or any additional proceeds which might be obtained from some other disposition of such property, are likely to be required by the managing trustees for property purposes (and to that end the committee shall be provided with any quinquennial inspection reports, District manse inspection reports and other information which it may deem requisite); (iii) obtain the judgment of the District in which the model trust property or fund is situated or managed and also of the District (if different) in which the housing project is to proceed as to the nature and urgency of the housing need intended to be met; (iv) [. . .] For para. 20(1) of the Model Trusts see Book II, Part 2. For quinquennial reports see S.O. 945, 959(4). (2) A Housing Association may at any time, notwithstanding that no specific disposition or scheme is before the committee under clause (1) above, obtain the opinion of the committee as to whether the purposes of that Association are wholly charitable and whether the Association is subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church.
(3) [. . .]
936 Historic Artefacts. (1) The permission of the Methodist Council shall be obtained before managing trustees sell, lease, lend or otherwise dispose of or part with any artefact, publication or record on the list provided for by Standing Order 212(11) and any dealing with such property shall be on such terms only as may be approved by the council. (2) Applications for permission under this Standing Order or for grants for the care and safety of such property shall be made through the Archives and History Committee. For the committee see S.O. 337(2).
940 Church Council. The Church Council shall transact all business required of it as managing trustees of the local property. See para. 2 of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2) and the definition of local property' in para. 1. Only persons of full age may act as managing trustees.
941 Particular Responsibilities. It shall be the responsibility of the Church Council to ensure that either the council itself or officers or committees appointed for that purpose: (i) obtain regular reports on the state of the local property and undertake renovations and repairs as necessary; (ii) after every quinquennial inspection consider the findings and recommendations of the inspectors and take any action required in consequence; (iii) prepare and consider the annual property schedules, both of accounts and investments and of the state of the property, and take any action required in consequence; (iv) consider such matters as the purchase, sale, extension or alteration of the property and take appropriate action; (v) appoint or employ a caretaker of the premises, if required, and supervise his or her work; (vi) open and maintain a log book for retention of the annual schedules of property, quinquennial inspection reports and other relevant material, and periodically examine the log book and ensure that records are up to date; (vii) present an annual report on the local property to the Circuit Meeting and after every quinquennial inspection include in that report details of all action taken or to be taken by the Church Council to implement the recommendations of the inspectors. For quinquennial inspections see S.O. 952. As to (v), if the caretaker is employed see S.O.s 018 and 438A.
942 Local Churches and Chapels. (1) There may be more than one chapel used by or in connection with one Local Church, but only (i) where Standing Order 605(4) is in operation, or (ii) under a scheme approved by the Circuit Meeting and the Synod. Normally a single chapel is used in connection with a single Local Church see the definition of Local Church' in cl. 1 of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1). (2) More Local Churches than one may share the use of a chapel or other local property, but only under a scheme approved by the Circuit Meeting or Meetings and the Synod or Synods involved. Every such scheme shall (unless an appropriate Memorandum of Terms of Management has already been signed under paragraph 3(2)(b) of the Model Trusts, and the scheme includes a copy) include a draft Memorandum or amended Memorandum of Terms of Management under paragraph 8 or 9 of the Model Trusts, agreed between the Church Councils involved, and that Memorandum or amended Memorandum shall be signed on their behalf as soon as the scheme has been approved. For paragraphs 3, 8 and 9 of the Model Trusts see Book II, Part 2.
943 Closure of Chapels. (1) Public services may not be discontinued in any chapel or preaching-place, nor any preaching-place removed from the circuit plan, until permission has been given by the Synod on the recommendation of the managing trustees, the Circuit Meeting and the district Policy Committee. The Circuit Meeting shall submit any such recommendation to the district committee before any steps are taken to carry the intention into effect. As to the transfer of services from a chapel to other premises see S.O. 930 (2)(vi). As to the closure of redundant chapels see para. 23 of the Model Trusts in Book II, Part 2. (2) No steps are to be taken by trustees towards the sale of a chapel until it has been decided that services shall be discontinued in accordance with the provisions of clause (1) above. (3) When offering any chapel or former chapel for sale, lease or other disposition the trustees shall have regard to any authority from the Methodist Council under paragraph 20(2) of the Model Trusts and shall, if so authorised by the council under the said paragraph, take all possible steps, by the exaction of suitable covenants and otherwise as they may be advised, to secure that the premises shall not be used for the manufacture, distribution, sale or supply of intoxicating liquors, nor for any purpose in connection with the organisation or practice of gambling in any of its forms, nor as a public dance-hall, nor (subject to the proviso to paragraph 23(2) of the Model Trusts) for such religious purposes as may be specified in any such authority, nor for any trade for gain on Sundays. For para. 20(2) of the Model Trusts, see Book II, Part 2. (4) Before offering by auction or entering into a contract for the sale of a building for secular use, (and in the case of head (i) below before worship ceases) the trustees shall: (i) if the building is a listed building or a building in a conservation area which in either event is a chapel, obtain the prior approval of the connexional Property Committee to the removal of any object or structure fixed to the building or within its curtilage; (ii) consider the appropriate time for the removal of notice boards associated with the Methodist use of the building, and make arrangements accordingly; (iii) give attention to the preservation in situ of external foundation stones and other public indications of the Methodist history of the building; (iv) seek the advice of the connexional Property Committee as to whether internal memorials and other internal items (whether or not part of the structure of the building) should for historical or aesthetic reasons be preserved in situ, in other places of worship or elsewhere, and make decisions and arrangements in those matters in the light of that advice; (v) identify any sanctuary furniture or other structural or non-structural items (not to be preserved under (iv) above) which they wish to exclude from the sale of the building and which are to be sold separately or transferred to other places of worship, and make arrangements accordingly. S.O. 332(4) provides for the connexional Team to keep a register of listed chapels, manses, etc. There are legal constraints on the removal of certain items from a listed building once worship has ceased; hence the requirement to consult the Division.
944 Proceeds of City Centre Premises. Where capital money arises from the sale, letting or other disposition of the whole or substantially the whole of the land held in connection with a Local Church or project on the official list kept under Standing Order 352(1) the scheme authorising the disposition shall provide for the capital money to be appropriated to district purposes under Standing Order 442(6). S.O.s 352(1) and 442 concern churches and projects in city centres listed or designated under those Standing Orders and subject to certain special provisions.
945 Other Proceeds. Capital money arising from any other disposition of land which is local property, shall, where Standing Order 955 so requires, be paid into the relevant circuit Advance Fund.
950 Circuit Meeting. (1) The Circuit Meeting shall transact all business required of it as managing trustees of the circuit property. See para. 2 of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2) and the definition of circuit property' in para. 1. Only persons of full age may act as managing trustees. (2) The Circuit Meeting shall ensure that the matters within this Section are dealt with and appropriate action taken, either by the meeting or by officers or committees appointed for that purpose. (3) The Circuit Meeting shall ensure that if property in the Circuit shared under the Sharing of Church Buildings Act 1969 is model trust property the provisions of Standing Orders 951 and 953 are followed. If property so shared is not model trust property the Circuit Meeting shall co-operate with the joint council to ensure that the requirements of charity law are met.
951 Schemes. (1) All schemes affecting local or circuit property shall be considered, giving particular attention in the case of new schemes to their relation to existing properties in the Circuit or in the opportunities they present for shared schemes with other denominations. Careful enquiry shall be made as to: (i) the adequacy of insurance cover for each property, and the current quinquennial inspection where applicable; (ii) compliance with Standing Order 901 in relation to the acquisition of new land; (iii) the measures being taken to reduce and extinguish capital debts where they exist; (iv) the irregular cases referred to in Standing Order 961(5). (2) After such consideration and enquiry the Circuit Meeting shall give or withhold its approval. All such schemes must receive the sanction of the Circuit Meeting (S.O. 930(5)(iii)). As to the liquidation of debts see S.O. 933. For quinquennial inspections see S.O. 952.
952 Quinquennial Inspections. (1) In relation to all local property the Circuit Meeting shall, arrange for an inspection, which shall include an inspection for timber decay, at least once every five years by professionally qualified persons, who shall report to the Church Council and the Circuit Meeting with recommendations as to any work required. The Circuit Meeting shall ensure that any further investigatory inspections shown to be necessary in the initial inspection report are carried out if the managing trustees have not acted. (2) In relation to all circuit property the Circuit Meeting shall arrange for an inspection, which shall include an inspection for timber decay, at least once every five years by professionally qualified persons, who shall report to the Circuit Meeting, the circuit stewards and, in the case of manses and diaconal accommodation, the district Manses Committee with recommendations as to any work required. The district Manses Committee shall ensure that any further investigatory inspections shown to be necessary in the initial inspection report are carried out if the managing trustees have not acted. (3) The Circuit Meeting shall ensure that every inspector engaged to carry out an inspection under this Standing Order is an architect or building surveyor or has some other appropriate professional qualification and is adequately covered by professional indemnity insurance against any liability arising out of the inspection.
953 Local Property. In relation to local property the Circuit Meeting shall also: (i) arrange for the annual local property schedules on the state of the property to be examined, especially in relation to work recommended by quinquennial inspections, and obtain a report on the general condition of each property in the Circuit; (ii) arrange for the annual local property schedules of accounts and returns of investments to be examined and review the enquiries made of each Local Church, satisfying itself that the Church Council has officially accepted, as presented, the schedule relating to its own property; (iii) send to the district property secretaries such originals, copies or summaries of the above schedules as may be directed by the connexional Property Committee, together with a report on matters requiring special attention, especially where work recommended by the quinquennial inspections has not been undertaken. The schedules referred to are A and B issued annually by the connexional Team.
954 Circuit Property. In relation to circuit property the Circuit Meeting shall also ensure that either the meeting itself or officers or committees appointed for the purpose: (i) appoint visitors to visit and inspect each manse and diaconal residence each year, except when the quinquennial inspection or the district Manses Committee visitation has taken place within the last twelve months, the duties of the visitors being to visit at a mutually agreed time, to consult with the occupants (including wife or husband, where appropriate) and to report to the meeting; (ii) consider the latest quinquennial inspection report and put in hand such work as needs to be done to the structure of any circuit property and such external painting as requires attention and (as to manses and diaconal accommodation) decide what internal decoration and refurnishing shall be carried out by the circuit stewards; (iii) receive the reports of the district Manses Committee and report back what action the Circuit has taken; (iv) consider what is the state of the manses and diaconal accommodation, take into account what the reports of the district Manses Committee and quinquennial inspectors recommend and decide what action should be taken; (v) prepare a budget of expenditure necessary for each dwelling to be brought up to and maintained at the connexional standard; (vi) review at intervals of not more than four years whether the buildings are in the right places, whether they are economic to maintain, whether a new dwelling or dwellings should be obtained and whether a proposed new dwelling or a former manse to be reinstated is suitable; (vii) obtain and consider a financial report at least annually; (viii) ensure that a record of all decisions and action taken under (ii) or (iii) above is sent to the Superintendent (who shall make it available to the minister, probationer, deaconess or deacon occupying the accommodation), that a copy is sent to the senior circuit steward and that a further copy is preserved in the relevant log book; (ix) open and maintain for each circuit property a log book for retention of the annual schedules of property, quinquennial inspection reports, manse visitation reports and other relevant material. For connexional standards see S.O. 753(3) (ministers) and 792 (deaconesses and deacons). For the district committee see S.O. 472 and 965.
955 Circuit Advance Fund. (1)(a) Capital money arising from a disposition to which this clause applies shall, unless applied under Standing Order 916 (1)(v) in carrying into effect a scheme of appropriation, be paid into a circuit Advance Fund in the name of the relevant Circuit. In the London Districts the London Committee [. . .] shall be informed of all such payments. (b) This clause applies to the sale, letting or other disposition of any land which is local or circuit property except: (i) land held as an investment, and (iA) land received within the last five years by way of bequest or devise and not required or no longer required for use for Methodist trust purposes, and (ii) [. . .] local church caretakers' accommodation [. . .]. For the authority to make this Standing Order see paras 18 and 19 (1)(e) of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2). All capital money, whether or not payable into a circuit Advance Fund, must be held by the custodian trustees (S.O. 916). As to who are the custodian trustees see S.O. 006(3)(b). As to what is capital money for the purposes of this clause, note in particular S.O. 915(2) (i) and (iii). As to the London Committee see S.O. 363(1). Note that land' includes buildings (s. 2(1) of the 1976 Act (Vol. 1. p. 8) and S.O. 006(1) (ii)). As to what is land held as an investment and as to what are Methodist trust purposes see S.O.908. Unused income is added to the fund and becomes capital money: see clause (7) below and S.O. 915 (2) (iv). (2) The authority to sanction schemes for the application of capital money in a circuit Advance Fund rests with the Circuit Meeting, but subject to approval by the Synod (acting normally through the district Policy Committee) and the connexional Property Committee. In the London Districts the London Committee shall be informed of such schemes. The district Policy Committee shall give special attention to schemes which raise matters of circuit or district policy. See also S.O. 437(2). As to the sanction of schemes generally see S.O. 930, 931. If aid is sought from the London Mission Fund for the erection of buildings or purchase of a site the consent of the London Committee to the scheme is required (S.O. 363(5)). (3)(a) Subject to sub-clause (c) below the expenditure or grant of capital money in a circuit Advance Fund shall be permitted only for the purchase of land, the erection, extension, alteration, structural repair or replacement of buildings or the establishment or subvention of a district Advance Fund or by way of payment to a Housing Association the purposes of which are wholly charitable if either it is subsidiary or ancillary to the Church or the payment is made in furtherance of the ecumenical work of the Circuit. (b) A scheme within sub-clause (a) above may be for the application of capital money either within or outside the Circuit. (c) If an acceptable scheme is proposed and approved, a minibus may be purchased for circuit use in the Circuit. Attention is drawn to the need to maintain a balance between requirements for manses, capital expenditure on local churches and the furtherance of the work in the Circuits; see clause (9) below. For the conditions upon which capital money in a circuit Advance Fund can be granted to a Housing Association see S.O. 935. (4) [. . .] (5) [. . .] (6)(a) Up to 50% of the income of the Circuit Advance Fund may at the discretion of the Circuit Meeting be used for the purposes set out in Standing Order 917(1)(i) to (ix). (b) [. . .] (c) A scheme for the use of more than 50% of the income of the fund for any of the purposes specified in sub-clause (a) above may be proposed by the Circuit Meeting and shall then be submitted to the secretary of the district Policy Committee, who shall send it to the connexional Property Committee for comment. After these steps have been taken and the [. . .] comments received, the Policy Committee shall formulate its recommendation to the Synod, with whom the authority to sanction such schemes shall rest. The decision of the Synod shall be reported to the connexional Property Committee. In deciding upon its recommendations the Policy Committee shall consider whether giving in the Circuit is at a responsible level and whether the level of staffing envisaged is appropriate. (d) Approval of any such scheme shall be for a fixed period not exceeding five years and the position shall be reviewed by the Synod in conjunction with the connexional Property Committee before any extension is sanctioned. (e) In framing its comments the connexional Committee shall consider whether the capital required to produce the specified income is likely to be required for property purposes within the period to which the scheme relates (and for that purpose it shall be provided with the quinquennial inspection reports on all local and circuit property and the district manse visitation reports). Attention is drawn to the need to maintain a balance between requirements for manses capital expenditure on local churches and the furtherance of the work in the Circuits: see clause (9) below. (7) All income not authorised to be used under clause (6) above shall be added to the capital of the circuit Advance Fund. See also S.O. 915(2)(iv). (8) The district Policy Committee shall from time to time review the state of the circuit Advance Funds and their distribution throughout the District and may propose schemes for the application or use anywhere within the District (or, in the case of Circuits in the area of the four London Districts, anywhere within that area) of the capital money of or income from any such fund. In the London Districts any such review shall be conducted in consultation with the London Committee [. . .]. Any such scheme shall require the consent of the Circuit Meeting and all other approvals and consultations prescribed by clauses (2) or (6) above, as the case may be but so that, in relation to such a scheme, for the words in the Circuit' in clause (6)(a) above there shall be substituted in the District or any of its Circuits'. (9) A careful and responsible balance shall be held between the application of capital money under clauses (2) to (4) or (8) above and the use of income under clause (6) or (8).
960 Authority in Property Matters. (1) Subject to clauses (4) and (5) below property matters shall be dealt with on behalf of the District by the persons or committees specified in clause (2) or (3) below or in any other relevant Standing Order, who shall report thereon to the Synod. (2) The Chairman and the district property secretaries shall consider all schemes within Standing Order 930 proposed within the District, examine all relevant quinquennial reports and, unless Standing Orders otherwise require or they decide that further investigation is required, shall record and communicate their own judgment thereon. (3) If Standing Orders so provide or they decide that further investigation is required they shall submit the scheme to the district Policy Committee for its judgment, and in that case either they or the district Policy Committee may consult the advisory panel, if any, constituted under Standing Order 471. (4) The Synod may give general directions or specific instructions to anyone dealing with property matters on behalf of the District or may take any case into its own hands and any such person may refer any case to the Synod for decision. (5) The Synod shall itself act where Standing Orders so prescribe. The Synod itself acts in cases of irregularity (S.O. 961(5)). The Synod annually appoints the district trustees (S.O. 966(1)). (6) The judgment reached under the above clauses of this Standing Order shall have effect as the giving or withholding of consent or approval by the appropriate district authority for the purposes of Standing Orders 929 and 930. (7) In reaching a judgment on behalf of the District particular attention shall be given to the requirements of Standing Order 932(1).
961 Further Provisions as to Schemes. (1) Schemes requiring the approval of the connexional Property Committee shall be submitted to the Division as soon as possible with the decision referred to in Standing Order 960(6) and a reasoned statement where necessary. (2) In cases not requiring the approval of the committee the district property secretaries shall nevertheless send financial details and plans to the committee for purposes of record and shall be responsible for ensuring that the scheme is completed and the entire outlay defrayed within five years after its approval or within such longer period (if any) as was specified in the approval. Schemes not requiring the approval of the committee under S.O. 931 can be sanctioned by the District by the procedure set out in S.O. 960 (S.O. 930(5) (ii)). As to schemes for the application of money in a circuit Advance Fund see S.O. 955 (2), (6), (8). Cf. 933, 934(2). (3) In all schemes for the acquisition of sites the responsible officers or committee shall have regard to current town planning proposals, the needs of the Church, the extent of local and circuit resources and those matters which are the responsibility of the district redevelopment secretary and the district ecumenical officer. For district redevelopment responsibilities see S.O. 962. For ecumenical relationships see S.O. 434(3) (iii). See also S.O. 901. (4) At the spring Synod next following the expiry of five years from the approval date of the scheme a return shall be made showing that the conditions of the sanctioning bodies have been fulfilled. Cf. S.O.933, 934(2) and Cl. (2) above. (5) The Synod shall call the attention of the trustees to any cases in which the proportion of debt is excessively heavy or the proceedings irregular and shall communicate its judgment to the trustees through the Superintendent. For the duty of the Circuit Meeting in such cases see S.O. 951 (1)(iv). (6) The connexional Property Committee shall send to the Synod particulars of all cases in which it is, in the opinion of the committee, desirable that special enquiry should be made from time to time until it appears that the conditions of erection or alteration of buildings have been fulfilled.
962 Development Plan. The district Policy Committee shall formulate and keep under annual review a development master- plan for the Methodist church buildings and circuit staffing of the District taking into account Planning Authority proposals (e.g., new residential areas, new road proposals, and urban centre redevelopment). Existing and proposed church buildings of other denominations shall be noted, particularly with a view to ecumenical co-operation or the formation of local ecumenical partnerships and the consideration of schemes under the Sharing of Church Buildings Act 1969. Any such scheme may be referred for detailed consideration to a group appointed by the committee for that purpose. The committee shall report annually to the spring Synod upon any such schemes and upon the content and implementation of the development master-plan generally. As to the second and third sentences see also S.O. 334, 412(2), (3) and 434(3).
963 Advance Funds. (1) In sending forward to the connexional Property Committee any scheme involving the use on or for a manse of capital money arising from the disposition of local property the district Policy Committee shall add to the Schedule a special supporting resolution stating why the normal interest-free loan system for manses should not apply and, in those cases where it is proposed to exceed the limit of 50%, the special reasons involved. Before sending forward any such scheme the committee shall consider the latest quinquennial report on all properties in the Circuit. See S.O. 955(4), (8). For quinquennial reports see S.O. 952. (2) The district Policy Committee shall inform the connexional Committee of proposals to use the money in a circuit Advance Fund outside the Circuit of origin. The Circuits concerned shall each be represented at the district committee by the Superintendent or some other person when the matter is under consideration. See S.O. 955(8). (3) A Synod may, on the recommendation of the district Policy Committee, establish a district Advance Fund for the purpose of making grants out of capital or income for property schemes approved under Standing Order 930 and, where applicable, Standing Order 931 and out of income for the support of personnel (as defined in Standing Order 955(6)(b)). All grants shall be at the discretion of the Synod which shall, through the district Policy Committee, consult with the connexional Property Committee about the allocation of grants for property schemes in the District and give priority to such grants before considering grants for the support of personnel. (4) Money in a circuit or district Advance Fund, whether arising from the disposition of model trust property or otherwise, shall be held upon the Model Trusts and is accordingly model trust property.
964 Supervision of Circuit Meetings. (1) The district property secretaries shall satisfy themselves that each Circuit Meeting has been fully notified as to the structural condition of all chapels and ancillary premises and that the quinquennial inspection of property required by Standing Order 952 has been duly carried out. (2) The annual property schedules from the Circuits shall be examined in preparation for the district officers' report to the Synod. (3) Any case of serious financial deficiency or under- insurance or questions relating to trust investments revealed by the circuit schedules shall be reported to the connexional Property Committee. (4) The district property secretaries shall not only examine the annual property schedules but also enquire what other properties and funds are held for the benefit of any Circuit, Local Church, chapel, manse, school or other organisation or building in the District and shall investigate and where necessary make recommendations as to the oversight given to the investment and management of all such funds, whether or not reported in the annual property schedule.
965 Manses. (1) The district Manses Committee shall appoint a panel of visitors (at least half of whom shall be women) sufficient in number to ensure that every manse, including that of the Chairman and of any connexional officer, college tutor or school chaplain, and all diaconal accommodation in the District, is visited by two members of the panel (not being members in the Circuit concerned) every five years. In addition to making their own general inspection the visitors shall ask the occupant whether he or she has any reason to suspect anything wrong with the drains or sanitary fittings or any serious or general dampness likely to be prejudicial to health and shall include the answers in their report to the committee. The visitors shall use the form of questionnaire and report obtainable from the connexional Team. For the constitution of the committee see S.O. 472. It is desirable that there should be as short an interval as possible between the inspections and the meetings of the committee which deal with the reports. To secure this it is recommended that the committee should meet immediately after the autumn Synod and that the inspections for that year should be made as soon as the committee can complete the necessary arrangements, i.e., in the period October to January. (2) In preparation for each visit the committee shall obtain from the circuit stewards (in the case of circuit property) or the responsible officers (in other cases) a copy of the latest quinquennial inspection report for the property (unless already received pursuant to Standing Order 952(2)) and details of the work carried out as a result of that report and invite the circuit stewards or other responsible officers to share information about any other works carried out or proposed. (3) The committee shall prepare a report on the manses and diaconal accommodation visited and present it to the spring Synod in the Synod Agenda. A copy of the whole report shall be sent by the secretary of the committee to the chairman and of the relevant parts (in the case of circuit property) to the Superintendent (who shall make it available to the occupants of the premises inspected) and the senior circuit steward or (in other cases) to the occupants of the premises inspected and the responsible officers. The circuit stewards or other responsible officers shall report, through the committee, to the following spring Synod what has been done to carry out the recommendations of the committee. For minimum requirements see S.O. 753 (ministers) and 792 (deaconesses and deacons). For the duties of the circuit committee see S.O. 954. (4) If an inspection reveals what the committee adjudges to be inadequacy of accommodation, the facts shall immediately be communicated to the circuit stewards or other responsible officers and also to the connexional Property Committee so that their advice may be available to the Circuit or other responsible body.
966 District Property. (1) The district trustees of each District shall be the persons, being church members and members or eligible to be members of the Synod, annually appointed as such by the autumn Synod. They shall report to the Synod through the district Policy Committee. As to this and the next clause see the definition of district trustees' in para. 1 of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2). Only persons of full age may be managing trustees of model trust property (s. 9(3) of the 1976 Act, Vol. 1, p. 13). In Great Britain persons of 18 years and over are of full age. (2) All district trustees shall arrange for an inspection, which shall include an inspection for timber decay, at least once every five years of all district property by professionally qualified persons, who shall report on their inspection to the district trustees, the district property secretaries and Policy Committee and (in the case of manses) the district Manses Committee. The trustees shall ensure that every inspector engaged to carry out an inspection under this clause complies with the requirements set out in Standing Order 952 (3). The district Policy Committee shall ensure that any further investigatory inspections shown to be necessary in the initial inspection report are carried out. (3) All district trustees shall arrange for a log book to be opened and maintained for each district property, in which shall be retained the annual schedules of property, quinquennial inspection reports, manse visitation reports and other relevant material. (4) In relation to any District in which there is for the time being a Methodist International House or other international student hostel which is model trust property the purposes of such a hostel shall be district purposes of that District. Each M.I.H. held on the Model Trusts is therefore district property; see the definitions of district property' and district purposes' in para. 1 of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2), by virtue of which district manses are also district property.
970 Scope. (1) Subject to the following provisions of this Section a levy for the Connexional Advance and Priority Fund shall be charged on all capital money arising from the sale, letting or other disposition of chapels, ancillary premises (including caretakers' accommodation and recreation grounds) and manses. For the authority to make this Standing Order see paras. 18 and 19(1) (e) of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2). (2) The levy shall not apply: (i) [. . .] (ii) to properties [. . .] on the official city centre list kept under Standing Order 352(1); (iii) to theological colleges or colleges of education; (iv) to properties belonging to the Methodist Ministers Housing Society or to similar Methodist-based trusts where moneys have been specifically contributed for a particular charitable purpose; (v) to property compulsorily purchased where compensation by the acquiring authority is on the basis of equivalent reinstatement; (vi) to dispositions of land held as an investment; (vii) to dispositions of property received within the last five years by way of devise or bequest and not required or no longer required for Methodist trust purposes. As to (vi) note the definitions of land held as an investment and Methodist trust purposes in S.O. 908, and the fact that land includes buildings.
971 The Committee. (1) The fund shall be administered by a committee appointed by the Conference which, in addition to the ex-officio members specified in Standing Order 201, shall consist of: (i) three members of the connexional Team nominated by the Methodist Council to represent its concerns for church life and work in London; (ii) [. . .]; (iii) three district Chairmen; (iv) three circuit ministers; (v) six lay persons. As to (i) see S.O. 302, 303(ii). (2) A chairman shall be appointed by the committee from among categories (iii), (iv) and (v) in clause (1) above. (3) One of the members appointed under head (i) of clause (1) above shall be appointed by the committee as its secretary.
972 Contributions. (1) When trustees dispose of property on which a levy is chargeable under Standing Order 970 they shall, subject to Standing Order 973, contribute part of the proceeds to the fund as follows: Up to _5,000Nil On any part between _5,000 and _10,0005% On any part between _10,000 and _40,00010% On any part between _40,000 and _70,00015% On any part between _70,000 and _100,00020% On any excess over _100,00025%
(2) The sum upon which the levy is calculated shall be the balance remaining after making the payments required under heads (i), (ii) and (iii) of Standing Order 916(1), but shall include charges and rents added to capital under Standing Order 915(2)(iii).
973 Replacement Schemes. (1) This Standing Order applies when the proceeds of one or more dispositions are to be employed in or towards a replacement scheme approved as such by the connexional Property Committee. (2) If the replacement scheme costs not less than the net proceeds, arrived at in accordance with Standing Order 972(2), and is implemented forthwith then no levy shall be required. (3) If the replacement scheme costs less than such net proceeds and is implemented forthwith then the levy shall be calculated on the unused balance or balances, as if they were the net proceeds. (4) If the replacement scheme is not implemented forthwith then the levy shall initially be paid as if there were no such scheme, but if the scheme is implemented within ten years of the disposition the levy shall be cancelled or recalculated in accordance with clause (2) or clause (3) above, as appropriate, and the overpayment refunded with interest at the rate earned by the Central Finance Board's Advance Deposit Fund.
974 Purposes. (1) The purpose of the fund is to make grants out of income or capital to Local Churches, Circuits and Districts in cases which are within one of more of the following categories and are beyond the normal resources of the Circuit and District, namely when: (i) new work is to be undertaken which will constitute an advance and be of connexional significance; (ii) a priority appointment, designated as such by the Stationing Policy Sub-committee, is to be opened or sustained; (iii) an urgent and essential property scheme is to be carried out. (1A) If the requirements of clause (1) are satisfied a grant may be made for ecumenical work within the purposes of the relevant Local Church, Circuit or District or for the Mission Alongside the Poor Programme. As to ecumenical work see S.O.s 604, 650(6)(iii) (Local Churches), 500, 532(1)(iv) (Circuits) and 434(4) (Districts). For the meaning of the words see S.O. 008(viii). For the Mission Alongside the Poor Programme see S.O. 351. (2) A grant under category (iii) shall consist of a single amount payable in a lump sum or by instalments, and any other grant shall consist either of such an amount, or of an annual sum for a limited period, or of both. (3) All grants shall be at the discretion of the committee.
975 Applications. (1) Subject to the following clauses of this Standing Order all applications shall be submitted to the committee [. . .] by the relevant district Policy Committee or Synod with a statement of facts in support and the advice of the district Policy Committee, given in the light of the district redevelopment plan. Every application shall require the support of the Synod or in urgent cases (if not considered by the Synod) of the district Policy Committee. (2) The connexional Team may sponsor an application falling within the purposes of Standing Order 974(1) or (1A), and in that event clause (1) above shall not apply. (3) An application within category (ii) of Standing Order 974(1) shall be presented to and considered by the committee whether or not it has the support of the Synod or district Policy Committee, but the advice or judgment of the relevant district bodies shall be among the considerations weighed by the committee. (4) [. . .] (5) [. . .] (6) [. . .]
976 Administration. (1) The Team shall provide the administrative services required by the committee and ensure that all applications including those made under Standing Order 975(1) are investigated and presented to the committee by an appropriate Team member. (2) The secretary of the committee shall be the treasurer of the fund, receiving all monies payable by way of levy, investing through and in the name of the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes and preparing all necessary accounts and balance sheets.
977 Payments. Upon the committee's desiring to make a payment out of the fund the secretary of the committee shall [. . .] instruct the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes to make that payment.
978 Reports. The accounts of the fund and a report of payments promised shall be presented annually to the Conference.
980 Scope of Section. (1) The buildings to which this Section applies are those for the time being exempted from the provisions of sections 3, 4, 7 to 9, 47, 54, 59 and 74 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 or of any enactment amending or replacing those provisions, by virtue of sections 60 and 75 of that Act (in this Section called the Act of 1990 ), or any enactment amending or replacing the last mentioned sections, and of any Order made under them. (2) The works to which this Section applies are: (i) internal or external works for the demolition, alteration or extension of a listed building to which this Section applies or of any item fixed to such a building, including any internal fixtures or fittings, or of any other structure or fixture within the curtilage of such a building, including any tombstone or boundary wall, being works which would affect the character of the building as a building of special architectural or historic interest; and (ii) works of demolition affecting the exterior of a building to which this Section applies in a conservation area. (3) Works to which this Section applies are in Section 93 and this Section referred to as listed building works . (4) This Section extends to England and Wales only.
981 Interpretation. In this Section, unless the context otherwise requires: (i) Local Planning Authority means in relation to any building or area the body exercising the functions of a local planning authority under the Act of 1990 in respect of that building or area; (ii) National Amenity Societies means the Ancient Monuments Society, the Council for British Archaeology, the Georgian Group, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the Victorian Society and the Twentieth Century Society. (iii) Heritage Authority means in relation to England English Heritage and in relation to Wales Cadw. (iv) Royal Commission means in relation to England the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England and in relation to Wales the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales.
982 Advice and Consultation. Before considering whether to approve a scheme for listed building works the connexional Property Committee shall: (i) obtain the advice of the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee, which shall include advice on the factors specified in Standing Order 983(iii); (ii) consult each of the following bodies, namely the Local Planning Authority, the Heritage Authority and the National Amenity Societies, and (except in case of emergency) ensure that each such body has 28 days in which to comment upon the proposed works; (iii) ensure (except in case of emergency) that a notice describing the proposed works and inviting comments from interested persons is or has been displayed for 28 days outside the building affected in a prominent position visible to the general public and that a similar notice is or has been published in a local newspaper circulating in the locality; and (iv) where works of demolition are proposed, ensure that notice of the proposal is or has been given to the Royal Commission. For the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee see S.O. 332.
983 Requirements. When considering whether to approve a scheme for listed building works the connexional Property Committee shall take into account: (i) the advice obtained under item (i) of Standing Order 982 and any comment or representation made in the course of or in response to any consultation or notice under item (ii) or (iii) of that Standing Order, (ii) the provisions of Standing Order 932, and (iii) in addition to any other relevant factors the desirability of preserving historic church buildings, the importance of protecting features of architectural merit and historic interest and the archaeological implications of the scheme.
984 Records. (1) The connexional Team shall maintain properly arranged and indexed records of all schemes for listed building works in such form as to show the action taken to comply with Standing Orders 982 and 983, the response to such action and the decision taken. (2) The record of the decision taken shall show what account was taken of any comments made under Standing Order 982. (3) The records maintained under this Standing Order shall be open to public inspection during reasonable hours as prescribed from time to time by the connexional Property Committee.
985 Enforcement. (1) In this Standing Order unapproved listed building works means listed building works which have not been approved in accordance with Section 93 and this Section by all the appropriate bodies, including the connexional Property Committee. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of Standing Order 020(2) it shall be a breach of the discipline of the Church, and accordingly ground for the bringing of a charge, to carry out or authorise, alone or jointly with others, any works which the person concerned knows or should have known to be unapproved listed buildings works. (3) It shall be the right and duty of the custodian trustees and of the connexional Property Secretary or other authorised member of the connexional Team to take such steps as they or either of them may deem necessary or expedient for preventing the commencement or continuation of unapproved listed building works, and if thought fit to invoke disciplinary action in respect of any such acts, including: (i) an application to any court having jurisdiction in that behalf for an injunction or other appropriate relief; and (ii) the initiation of a charge under Section 02 against any person subject to the discipline of the Church who is involved as a managing trustee or in any other capacity in carrying out or authorising unapproved listed building works, and of an application for the suspension under Standing Order 021 of any such person. (4) The Methodist Council shall have power to require managing trustees to restore and reinstate, in accordance with a specification recommended by the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee after consultation with the Local Planning Authority and the Heritage Authority, any buildings altered or demolished in whole or in part by unapproved listed building works and, in default of compliance, shall have power to carry out the required works of restoration and reinstatement and to charge the cost to the managing trustees. For the authority to make this Standing Order see para. 19(3) of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2). (5) For the purposes of this Standing Order a managing trustee does not carry out or authorise unapproved listed building works, or join in doing so, who: (i) votes against the resolution or other form of proposal or decision for the execution of the works; or (ii) is absent when the decision to execute the works is taken, either having received no notice of the meeting or having received no notice of any proposal for such a decision or other indication that the subject would be considered; or (iii) is absent for good cause when the decision to execute the works is taken, and has taken reasonable steps to dissuade the managing trustees from taking that decision; and such a managing trustee shall be entitled to the benefit of clause (6) below in respect of those works. See also S.O. 517(3) and 615(3). (6) Nothing in this Standing Order shall render a managing trustee who is entitled to the benefit of this clause personally liable for any expense incurred by or charged against the managing trustees under clause (4) above in consequence of the relevant works or deprive such a trustee of the protection afforded by paragraph 24(2) of the Model Trusts in respect of any such expense or any other loss or expense, including legal costs, arising under this Standing Order in relation to those works.