Repairs to unlisted buildings will not be eligible for this scheme. If, however, you consider that the building warrants listing, you should consider submitting an application to the relevant statutory listing agency.

2. If I get my building listed now, can I apply for works carried out before it was listed ?

No. Claims will not be accepted for work carried out on buildings that are not listed at that time, regardless of whether they are then listed in the future. Claims will only be considered for repairs to buildings that are listed at the time the work is carried out.

Yes. You must provide, with your application, evidence that the work was carried out at the time the building was listed.

No, we only use this information to cross-reference your details on our listed register. Q13 can be left blank – this will not delay processing of your application.

INVOICE / VAT QUERIES
5. Can I apply if I’ve lost my VAT invoices ?

You can provide an original receipted invoice as an alternative. Failing this, your contractor will need to reproduce your invoices, which must be marked true and certified copy, signed and dated by the contractor. Failure to provide a suitable invoice will mean the application will not be accepted.

No. You must have paid your VAT invoice prior to applying for grant under this scheme.

No. It is essential that you read Guidance to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and submit only invoices that relate to work eligible for this scheme. Submitting a large number of inappropriate invoices to the operator will increase the possibility of your application being rejected, and may cause general delay in processing applications.

Yes.

Yes, but only if you are a contractor who is registered for VAT

No. You cannot claim for VAT on materials unless they are incorporated into the fabric by a registered VAT contractor.

11. Can I only submit invoices dated after 1/4/01 ?

No, but you can only claim for works after 1/4/01. In cases where the invoice relates to works that span the period immediately before and after 1 April 2001, you must ensure that the split is declared on either the invoice or the application.

APPLICATION FORM QUERIES
12. The people signing the form will not have full knowledge of the works carried out, does this matter ?

The countersignatory must hold the senior position, and must enter their details in Q6. If however this is not the best person to contact for queries, an alternative must be entered in Q7. This is the person to whom we will address all queries, and return all paperwork.

If no alternative is entered in Q7, the countersignatory detailed in Q6 will become the main contact.

We are unable to communicate with any third party (i.e. contractor, architect etc.).

Yes, statutory agencies will be notified of all grants awarded under the LPW Scheme. This is to avoid the possibility of public money being effectively paid twice for the same costs.

You may. However, you must ensure that the grant from the other statutory agency takes your LPW grant into account. If it doesn’t, then you will have to repay to them the relevant proportion of the money you receive for the LPW grant.

Any previous grant award is a contract between the church and the grant paying body, and is not linked to this scheme.

Yes, provided the main use is for public religious worship, this is fine. However, if any part of the church is used for accommodation, this is element is not eligible under the scheme.

Where invoices cover both church and accommodation, the cost split must be made clear on either the invoice or the application.

Providing the work started within a short space of time from the church being closed down, and prior to the closure it had been used for at least six services in the previous year, this is fine.

In instances where there is a delay between closure and work commencing, please contact the Helpline on 0845 601 5945 for guidance. (Please be aware that we may need to refer your case to the Department for Culture, Media & Sport for a decision on eligibility).

18. Question 23 is confusing.

If you are having difficulty in completing this section of the application, please contact the Helpline. Alternatively, leave this question blank. This will not delay payment, as we can take the required information from the invoices. If we need to clarify any points, we will contact the correspondent.

ELIGIBILITY QUERIES
19. Why are works related to access for the disabled not eligible ?

Works carried out in relation to duties under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), or other works to facilitate access by disabled people, will generally be classed as ‘improvements’ or additional fixtures and fittings.

Works to provide wheelchair access, including any widening of doorways, installation of ramps or removal of pipework, undertaken in relation to DDA requirements, should qualify under the VAT relief system, and should attract a zero-rate of VAT at the point of invoice. Other works may also qualify for relief. For information regarding VAT charged, you should contact HM Revenue & Customs directly on 0845 010 9000 or consult VAT notice 701/7.

These are fixtures and fittings. Works are only eligible if they fall under either of the following categories:

1. The work is temporary (i.e. temporary lighting, generators), and is being used for eligible repair works. These must be removed afterward the works have been completed.

2. The work was created whilst carrying out other eligible repair works (i.e. whilst repairing a wall, electrics within were damaged). In this instance, only the element damaged is eligible, and works simply carried out at the same time are ineligible.

21. Can I claim solely for a retention where it is under £1,000, but relates to works that has been previously settled through the scheme ?

No. Each application is treated in isolation, so must achieve the minimum £1,000 threshold. If your retention is likely to be under this amount, we would advise that you retain the final application until this invoice can be included.

GENERAL QUERIES
22. What is the deadline / time limit for a claim to be submitted ?

The scheme end date is currently 31 March 2011. There is no time limit for claims to be submitted under this scheme.

No.

In the first instance, you should contact the LPW Helpline. If the matter remains unresolved, your application will be referred to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for a final decision.25. In making an application can we nominate whom payments are made to?

25. In making an application can we nominate whom payments are made to?

Payments should be made to the organisation that incurred the VAT cost for the repairs - normally this would be the Parochial Church Council or an appropriate body.