Church refuses to meet cash demand
By Jim Adlam
Richmond & Twickenham Times
A Hampton Hill church has refused to increase its payments to Southwark Diocese - the Church of England's regional authority - by the amount requested until the diocese proves that it has "got to grips" with its financial crisis.
The Parochial Church Council of St James's Church agreed to raise its contribution to the diocese, but "by considerably less than had been asked for".
Val Traylen told the RTT: "Before committing the parish to giving more, the PCC wanted to see convincing evidence that the diocese was getting to grips with fundamental structural problems and strategic planning.
"The PCC wanted to see more mutual support within deaneries and for the diocese to be more communicative about how it spends the money parishes give."
A spokesman for Southwark Diocese commented that it was in negotiations with officials at St James's and is putting in place better financial management systems.