The Property Committee assists in look after the church buildings, halls and glebe lands as church families repair and refurbish them or seek to dispose of them as time goes on. All matters of importance in respect of the church property estate will come before the Property Committee for approval before onward progression to the General Trustees for their final approval on the larger matters.

Along with the Presbytery Building Officer the committee seek to assist in all matters in respect of church buildings, manses and glebe lands always with a mind to focus on buildings that can be described as in the right places and in the right condition for Christian mission in the 21st century.

The Property Committee meet monthly on zoom and once a year in person to discuss and approve or advise on requests brought forward by Kirk Sessions. Many matters are dealt with outwith these times by email.

Members of the property committee are often sent out on field work to inspect churches and manses where necessary although many of the reports and inspections are carried out by the Presbytery Building Officer and matters fed back to the property committee and the general trustees where required.

Property Reports are presented to the Presbytery meetings with ‘Fast Track ‘ and usual business for approval or with recommendations. There are many smaller requests that can be approved by the committee ‘under powers’ and in accordance with the Presbytery Mission Plan for the South West. Other larger schemes are presented with recommendations to Presbytery at their meetings every quarter.

The remit of the Property Committee is:

• To arrange for the annual inspection of Property Registers.
• To administer the five yearly inspection of properties.
• To make recommendations to Presbytery on property works whose cost would exceed the financial limits from time to time set by the General Trustees.
• To oversee the administration of all Glebes

  Delegated Powers:

• to dispose of all applications in respect of fabric and furnishings, unless in the opinion of the Committee the nature or cost of the work to be done, or considerations of forward planning, requires the judgement of the Presbytery;

Will have additional Delegated power as below once position clarified by Finance Sub-Committee:

• to grant financial assistance from Presbytery Property Funds within the resources of these funds

About the Convenor

Convenor: Mr Brian Murray

Email:  brian.murray100@btinternet.com

Brian is a retired architect and has been involved in design, construction and maintenance of buildings as a career since leaving school. He has a good understanding of older buildings and the needs in conservation. The property committee have become like a family over the three years past and support Brian as he reports to them and prepares the final reports for Presbytery.

Jean Hunter is the committee’s deputy convenor and clerk and along with the other members from various regions of the presbytery they all can deal with matters arising very quickly by modern means of electronic mail.

Brian is also and elder of some 30 years and a Reader in the Church of Scotland and is conversant with much of the churches needs and aspirations for mission at this time of change and challenge.