News from ACTS

ARTICLE FROM ACTS NEWSLETTER

With much regret, ACTS Trustees propose to close the current business operation at Scottish Churches House (SCH), effective from 15 July 2011. The future of the House after that date is still being discerned.

The Trustees are especially grateful to the SCH Staff for their forbearance, support and continued hard work during these difficult times. Staff are being kept fully informed of developments and are now involved in a formal consultation process.

ACTS Trustees wish to re-iterate their thanks to the Interim Management Group (IMG) and the Interim Board of ‘Scottish Churches House Ltd’ (SCH Ltd) who over the last five years have achieved so much and striven so hard to ensure the future of SCH. It is also with much regret that we have come to accept together the current harsh financial realities affecting the House. Trustees deeply appreciate the generous support – and share the subsequent sense of disappointment – of those many individuals and groups who have contributed to the SCH appeals.

Looking back over a number of years, there has been much discussion about the role and viability of the House. Member Churches were becoming increasingly reluctant to subsidise running costs. In 2005 the then ACTS Executive set up the IMG to oversee and develop the work of SCH. A major aim was for SCH to become fully self-sustaining. It soon became apparent that the condition of the House needed to be addressed.

In 2007 the then Scottish Churches Forum (ACTS) authorised the IMG to launch the Jubilee Appeal in order to refurbish the property and develop the work. The appeal was substantially successful and major refurbishment accomplished.

In 2009 the new ACTS Members Meeting accepted a proposal from the IMG to establish an independent company, ‘Scottish Churches House Ltd’, to lease SCH and develop the work. The proposed lease was negotiated on a care and maintenance basis for a peppercorn rent.

Regrettably, since 2008, the global economic crisis has had serious repercussions, including on the market for conference and retreat centre provision in the UK. The financial position of SCH has been seriously affected.

ACTS Trustees and the new SCH Ltd held a final meeting in Sept 2010. Projected deficits were critical and neither body could foresee a viable economic future for SCH. It was decided not to pursue the SCH Ltd option. Following further legal and financial advice, ACTS Trustees propose to close the business operation at Scottish Churches House.

At an Extraordinary Members Meeting in Jan 2011, ACTS Member Churches affirmed the Trustees’ proposal to close the business and endorsed their decision to invite enquiries from other organisations who may wish to lease the SCH property on a care and maintenance basis for a peppercorn rent. ACTS does not have the resources to maintain the property.

Looking forwards, there have been a handful of ‘expressions of interest’ in taking up the lease of SCH. The closing date for tenders is Fri 8 April 2011. Tenders will be evaluated by Member Churches and Trustees will take a decision on Wed 11 May 2011.

ACTS Trustees ask that you keep everyone involved in, or affected by, these difficult discernments and decisions regarding Scottish Churches House in your hearts and prayers in these next months.