When we published our last Data Protection update on the 27th March 2020, we were at the beginning of what has now become 13 weeks of lockdown and counting. The Governments across England, Wales and Scotland are now starting to lift the restrictions and life is beginning to return to some form of normality.

A new template Burial Ground Closure Notice has been developed for use by Managing Trustees who are taking steps to close the whole or part of their burial ground. The new template Burial Ground Closure Notice can be accessed from the Sales and Legislation pages on TMCP’s website.

On 7 May 2020 TMCP and Blake Morgan made available a process and accompanying guidance, via TMCP’s website, to help Managing Trustees whose non residential tenants were having difficulties in meeting their rental payments during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on TMCP’s COVID-19 page have now been updated to include questions raised with our Finance team.

The lockdowns restrictions have begun to ease and this has meant that there is new guidance available on the sale and purchase of properties. As estate agents and removal firms re-open for business, Managing Trustees will be keen to restart projects that have been on hold during the lockdown period.

TMCP has updated its COVID-19 and its effect upon Building Contracts and works to Methodist Churches Focus Note following the updated advice from the Government. The guidance contains a number of FAQs to assist Managing Trustees and a new FAQ has been added which addresses works to Manses.

Managing Trustees across the Connexion are involved in early years provision whether that is hosting third party run pre-schools from Methodist premises or running their own pre-school as a Local Church project. Since the Government announced the re-opening of early years provision from 1st June 2020, we have received many questions from Managing Trustees