Rates rebel says rectory work bill ‘stinks’

A REQUEST that St Sampson’s residents pick up a £21,700 bill for repairs to the church’s rectory ‘stinks’, according to a critic of the current rates setup.

Ratepayers and electors have been invited to attend a meeting on Thursday 26 May to vote for or against the 2011 owner’s rate.

Out of the £38,394.63 total, almost £7,000 is needed for extraordinary repairs to the parish church and almost £22,000 is required for extraordinary repairs to the rectory – including the removal and replacement of two chimneys and repointing brickwork to the rear elevation.

Colin Paver, 74, has lived in St Sampson’s his whole life and said the amounts being requested for work to the rectory were ridiculous. (from GEP)

We in St Peter port paid a huge amount for our parish church a few years ago
as it belongs to the rate payers we had to commit to paying this amount ,but it is part of Guernsey history and we should not let them fall into disrepair ,we much keep history in good condition for the future generation
perhaps the church of England who use the churches should be made to pay rent!

I think you should get an independant valuation of the work on the rectory. £22K seems a lot for a couple of chimneys and a bit of repointing.