Historic first as churches and council get together

A district council and local churches have held a historic meeting.

It is the first of its kind between a Norfolk district council and the Church, and is part of South Norfolk Council's campaign to widen and broaden the organisations it consults as part of policy making and delivery.

The hope and intention of the new group is to build a strong partnership that could mean more churches being open to the community, and a wider recognition of the extraordinary and mostly hidden commitment of Christian and faith-based groups to volunteering.

This first, face to face meeting, brokered by former council chairman Cllr The Rev Clive Hudson, explored common ground on all the big issues, ranging from affordable housing, rural isolation and deprivation, heritage and tourism, the environment and volunteering.

Archdeacon of Norfolk, the Venerable David Hayden, led the churches team and described the meeting as "excellent".

He said:

"Christian congregations are keen that their churches, as well as being places of worship, are also used by community groups.

"The Diocese of Norwich has 659 medieval churches. We welcome the council's professional advice on helping to make them a useful community resource, as well as helping bear the burden of their upkeep and protection as part of our shared heritage.

"Christians are also living their commitment to the community in countless acts of care and kindness. In the spirit of their faith, they are doing so without seeking individual recognition or reward.

"In Norwich in 2003, we calculated that over 150,000 hours were freely given in bereavement counselling, support for drug users and alcoholics, in home visiting and support of the elderly, young people and children.

"Many talk the talk about the giving age and volunteering - Christians walk the walk. We welcome the council's recognition of this extraordinary work by so many ordinary people."

Cllr The Rev Clive Hudson said:

"For me the ethos of South Norfolk Council and the Church of England is about providing a service to local communities to both improve the quality of everyday life and to be there when there is a special need.

"As a person ordained priest during my year of office as chairman of the council it made sense to bring key figures of these groups together so that what is already good can be made even better."

Geoff Rivers, council Chief Executive said he hoped this was the start of a much closer and stronger relationship.

"Getting closer to our communities has been a long held ambition of South Norfolk Council. Working with the clergy is another way of doing this and the first indications are that it will prove to be a very successful way."

Last year, South Norfolk Council sent a copy of its Corporate Plan to the Bishop of Norwich for comments. This sparked the interest which resulted in Councillor Hudson, initiating the first meeting. As a result, the major partners on the group from the churches are the Church of England and the Methodist Church, and it is hoped to broaden that faith representation in the future.

The initial key contacts the council will be developing are with the diocese Rural Deans. They have oversight of a group of parishes in the heart of communities, and can speak for and on behalf of their communities.

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