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THE PLAN FOR PARTNERSHIP IN MINISTERIAL REMUNERATION The Plan for Partnership in Ministerial Remuneration was first approved by the General Assembly in 1980 and has been revised by Assembly from time to time. This edition was approved by Assembly 2002. Abbreviations used in this Plan URC United Reformed Church MoM Maintenance of the Ministry URCMPF United Reformed Church Ministers' Pension Fund CRCW Church Related Community Worker DWP Department for Work and Pensions 1. Objects of the Plan To provide a unified scheme for the remuneration of stipendiary ministers of the Word and Sacraments (ministers) and church related community workers (CRCWs) in the service of the Kingdom of God within the United Reformed Church. 2. PRINCIPLES OF THE PLAN 2.1 The whole ministry of the URC is to be made available to the whole of the Church, and the financial responsibility for this ministry is to be shared throughout the whole of the Church. It is recognised that the extent and type of ministry will vary in different situations. 2.2 Payment to ministers/CRCWs of a basic stipend and other payments provided for by the Plan will be charged to the Ministry and Mission Fund, which will be funded from local church contributions. 3. Administration and Consultation 3.1 The Ministries Committee recommends to the General Assembly any changes to the Plan. 3.2 The MoM Sub-Committee whose members are appointed by the General Assembly administers the Plan. Each local church of the URC, and each ecumenical church involving the URC. 5. Ministers, CRCWs and Students 5.1 Ministers to be included:- 5.1.1 Ministers of the URC serving in churches as defined in para 4 above. 5.1.2 Ministers of the URC holding a special appointment within a Synod. 5.1.3 Ministers of the URC holding appointments approved as special category ministries by the Ministries Committee. 5.1.4 Ministers of the URC holding Assembly appointed posts of the Church. 5.1.5 Ministers of other denominations serving the URC, as the Ministries Committee shall, from time to time, determine. 5.2 Others to be included:- 5.2.1 Accredited CRCWs serving in posts recognised and designated by the Ministries Committee. 5.2.2 Ministers for whom remuneration for specific periods has been authorised by the Assembly Pastoral Reference Committee and such other special cases approved by the Ministries Committee. 5.2.3 Students who have already commenced training for the stipendiary ministry of the URC, giving ministry during their vacations, with District Council approval, to URC pastorates which are in vacancy. 5.3 Lay workers to be included:- Lay missionaries serving in posts recognised and designated by the Ecumenical Committee. 5.4 Exclusions:- 5.4.1 Those in full-time service over the age of 65 years and 6 months, except those approved by the Ministries Committee (para 5.2.2). 5.4.2 Those in part-time service who are already in, or enter into, full-time remunerated employment. 5.4.3 Non-stipendiary ministers. 6. REMUNERATION OF MINISTERS AND CRCWS The remuneration of each minister/CRCW included in the Plan consists of a basic stipend together with other entitlements and allowances as set out below. The level of allowances shown in Appendix A will be set by the Ministries Committee and reviewed annually. 6.1 Amounts paid from and at the expense of the Ministry and Mission Fund 6.1.1 Basic stipend: changes to the basic stipend will be determined by the Mission Council having considered the advice of the Ministries Committee. In the case of part-time posts the level of stipend will be the proportion of full-time basic stipend corresponding to the scoping of the pastorate. 6.1.2 Payment during sickness: remuneration shall be paid during sickness for such periods and in such sums as shall be determined from time to time by the MoM Sub-Committee, which will take into account the regulations and benefit schemes of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). 6.1.2.1 Ministers/CRCWs who are unable to work because of sickness or accident shall be paid full stipend (less any Incapacity Benefit Long-term or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit received) for a period of six months. However, any sickness arising in the twelve months prior to the first day of a new period of illness will be taken into account in the calculation of those six months. At the appropriate times after the beginning of any illness, the MoM Sub-Committee shall take steps to determine, in consultation with the Synod Moderator, what further help, if any, should be given when the entitlement to full stipend comes to an end. Ministers/CRCWs who are unable to work for more than three days are required to advise the MoM Office as soon as possible during their illness in order that the necessary records can be maintained. 6.1.2.2 Ministers/CRCWs who are sick for periods in excess of twenty eight weeks will claim Incapacity Benefit Long-term from the DWP and should notify the MoM Office of the amount of benefit received in order that the next available stipend payment may be reduced. 6.1.3 Maternity/Paternity provisions: details of arrangements for maternity pay and parental leave can be obtained from the MoM office. 6.1.4 Pulpit supply fees: when the MoM Office has been advised that a minister remunerated under the Plan is unable to work due to ill-health or is on maternity leave or is absent on a sabbatical term which lasts for a period of more than four weeks, or is the Moderator of the General Assembly, the actual pulpit supply costs incurred by the church arising because of the absence will be reimbursed to the limit shown in Appendix A. In group pastorates and part-time pastorates, reimbursement will only be in respect of services which would have been conducted by the absent minister. Claim forms for the reimbursement of pulpit supply costs can be obtained from the MoM Office. 6.1.5 Pension Fund: ministers/CRCWs who have not attained the age of 55 years at the date of initial induction to stipendiary service under the Plan may join the United Reformed Church Ministers' Pension Fund (URCMPF). 6.1.5.1 A minister/CRCW aged 55 years or over at the date of initial induction to stipendiary service under the Plan may not join the URCMPF. Only in these circumstances will an amount agreed by the General Assembly be paid, at the minister/CRCW's request, to any personal pension arrangement chosen by that minister/CRCW. This will be the same percentage of basic stipend as that payable as an employer's contribution to the URCMPF in the terms of para 15.1 of the Rules of the URCMPF. 6.1.5.2 If a minister/CRCW who is entitled to join the URCMPF elects not to do so, no contributions will be paid to any alternative personal pension arrangement. If the minister is already a member of the pension fund of another denomination at the time of qualification for stipend payment under the Plan, a contribution may be paid at the discretion of the MoM Sub-Committee to the minister's denominational fund. 6.1.6 Children's allowances: Where a minister/CRCW has one or more financially dependent children below the age of 24 years, an annual non-pensionable allowance will be paid at rates set by the Ministries Committee, provided that the minister/CRCW certifies that the total annual income of the family, excluding disregarded income, is expected to be less than the agreed limit (see Appendix A) 6.1.6.1 The allowance will be paid in accordance with the circumstances pertaining at the date that the certificate is signed. Any subsequent change, e.g. when the family income changes, will be disregarded in the current year; pro rata allowances may be claimed in the year a child is born, and in the year in which a child ceases to be dependent, or attains the age of 24. 6.2 Amounts paid through the central payroll system to be recovered from the local church 6.2.1 In order to comply with Income Tax and National Insurance regulations any additional emoluments must be paid through the central payroll system, the costs (including employer's National Insurance contributions) being recovered monthly from the local church by direct debit. Such emoluments include: 6.2.1.1 Housing allowances paid to a minister/CRCW who does not occupy a church owned manse. 6.2.1.2 Stipend Supplements: the payment of stipend supplements is discouraged by the General Assembly. However where the local church continues this practice the supplement must be paid centrally. 6.2.1.3 Fixed car allowances (see para 6.3.4.2). 6.3 Financial responsibilities of the local church 6.3.1 District Councils (taking advice from Synod where required) should take note of the condition and facilities of the manse or, if alternative housing arrangements are to be made, should approve the details of the arrangements before concurring in calls and regularly thereafter. 6.3.2 Manse Accommodation: for the purposes of the Plan a manse means a home for the minister/CRCW and their immediate family (spouse and children), owned or leased by the church, provided and maintained in good repair and decoration, free of rent, ground rent, council tax, all rates (where payable), water/sewage charges and property insurance. 6.3.2.1 If the accommodation is owned or rented by the minister/CRCW, a housing allowance, agreed by the pastorate and the minister/CRCW, and approved by the District Council, shall be payable. Guidelines for calculating allowances will be issued by the MoM Sub-Committee (see Appendix B). 6.3.2.2 In the case of part-time ministers/CRCWs the church should meet a proportion of the standing charges of the manse, or pay a pro rata housing allowance, based on the proportion of stipend paid. 6.3.3 Removal costs shall be met by the receiving local church (see Appendix D). 6.3.4 Travel: the costs of travel on church business shall be met as follows: 6.3.4.1 Car: where a minister/CRCW provides a car, the financial arrangements shall be agreed with the District Council, the local church and the minister/CRCW. The MoM Sub-Committee shall distribute annually the rates of reimbursement for mileage undertaken on church business, which must not be exceeded (see Appendix A). 6.3.4.2 As the rates of reimbursement of mileage do not adequately reimburse the costs incurred, a fixed car allowance should be paid. The rate of fixed car allowance will be advised by the MoM Sub-Committee (see Appendix A). 6.3.4.3 Where a minister/ CRCW does not provide a car but the regular use of a car is considered necessary, it is the responsibility of the local church to provide a suitable vehicle. The costs of private motoring shall be borne by the minister/CRCW under locally agreed arrangements. 6.3.4.4 Other Travel: the cost of travel on church business by public transport shall be reimbursed by the local church or other appropriate body. 6.3.4.5 Where, following an introduction by a Synod Moderator, a minister/CRCW visits a church in vacancy other than in connection with a preaching engagement, the cost of travel shall be paid by the church visited. The church will be reimbursed from the Ministry and Mission Fund an amount not exceeding the cost of travel of the minister/CRCW and spouse within the UK, for a maximum of two visits. 6.3.5 Expenses: the local church or other appropriate body shall reimburse the minister/CRCW for the cost of postage, telephone, stationery and any other expenses necessarily incurred on church business. This may well include expenses relating to the use of a computer and in some instances the provision of a computer. The reimbursement of expenses will be on the basis of actual cost incurred, and not by a predetermined lump sum. Ministers/CRCWs are entitled to 5 weeks holiday in each calendar year and one further Sunday away from the pastorate. When a minister/CRCW only serves for part of a year the holiday provision should be pro rata. One week of holiday may be carried forward to the following year. Holiday entitlement is not affected by sick leave, in-service training courses or sabbatical leave. Stipends and other allowances paid to full-time ministers/CRCWs shall normally be on the basis that these represent the main earned remuneration. It is recognised that a minister/CRCW will from time to time accept other paid work (e.g. hospital chaplaincies or teaching). Where this work, in the view of the District Council and Synod Moderator, can be performed without detriment to the pastoral care of church, congregation and local church witness, the additional remuneration may be retained by the minister/CRCW involved, provided the work does not exceed the equivalent of one working day per week. Where more than one day per week is involved, the District Council or Synod Moderator should consult with the MoM Sub-Committee who may decide to reduce the stipend by an appropriate amount. 9. Grants and Loans paid from the Ministry and Mission Fund The level of grants and loans paid to ministers/CRCWs, shown in Appendix A, will be set by the Ministries Committee and reviewed annually. 9.1 Resettlement grant 9.1.1 Every stipendiary minister/CRCW, whether full-time or part-time, shall be entitled to a full resettlement grant (see Appendix A) upon settling into their first pastorate and each subsequent pastorate or into an appointment paid under the terms of the Plan and upon final retirement; always provided that the settlement involves a change in the place of residence and that the grant shall not be payable more than once in any period of three years. 9.1.2 Except at the time of a minister/CRCW's initial induction (when a full resettlement grant is payable) where the pastorate is part-time the grant shall be pro rata according to the scoping of the pastorate to be served. Upon retirement the resettlement grant shall be calculated based on the last ten years of service up to the normal retirement age of 65 years. The grant will be reduced where the minister/CRCW has not been in the stipendiary service of the Church for those years, or the years of service have not all been full-time. 9.1.3 In the case of a minister/CRCW who dies before retirement (whether or not they have already passed retirement age) the spouse shall be entitled to the equivalent of a resettlement grant upon the first change of residence. If the death occurs after final retirement but before the first change of residence then the spouse shall be entitled to the equivalent of a resettlement grant. 9.1.4 If a minister/CRCW does not receive a resettlement grant upon removal into a property which, at a later date, becomes the retirement home, a retirement resettlement grant will be made available. This will be a taxable emolument. 9.1.5 Where a minister/CRCW has not received a retirement resettlement grant at the time of retirement, they shall be entitled to a resettlement grant upon the first change of residence (subject to the three years' restriction in para 9.1.1). 9.2 Ordination/Commissioning loan 9.2.1 An interest free loan is available to ordinands for the stipendiary ministry, former non-stipendiary ministers at the time they take up the stipendiary ministry, and to CRCWs upon commissioning (see Appendix A). 9.2.2 This loan shall be re-payable by deduction from stipend over a period of not more than five years or such other period as the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the MoM Sub-Committee, shall from time to time determine. 9.3 Retirement removal grant Reasonable removal costs within the United Kingdom shall be paid on the first removal of a minister/CRCW following final retirement from a pastoral charge or from an appointment paid under the terms of the Plan (or to the spouse of a minister/CRCW who dies before retirement) provided that at least two estimates have been obtained. Normally the cost of the lowest estimate will be met. 9.4 Supplementary provisions 9.4.1 Notwithstanding what is written above in paras 9.1 and 9.3, in the case of a husband and wife being ministers/CRCWs, their combined entitlement to a resettlement grant and retirement removal grant shall not exceed that of one full-time minister/CRCW. 9.4.2 In any situation other than those outlined above the MoM Sub-Committee shall have discretion to make available, in full or in part, a resettlement grant, ordination/commissioning loan and retirement removal grant. 9.4.3 The resettlement grant, ordination/commissioning loan and retirement removal grant shall be payable whether or not the property is church owned. 9.4.4 Where the minister/CRCW has attained the age of 60 and, with the approval of the pastorate and the District Council, moves into property designated as the retirement home, retirement resettlement and removal grants shall be paid. Retirement removal and resettlement grants shall only be paid once during the ministry of a minister/CRCW, or ministerial married couple. Students working in pastorates to which para 5.2.1 applies will be paid an amount determined by the MoM Sub-Committee. Housing and all out of pocket expenses (including the cost of travel to and from the pastorate) shall be borne by the local church (see Appendix A). 11. Grants The Ministry and Mission Fund shall bear the cost of grants in support of ministry in ecumenical situations (see Appendix C). 12. Payment of Stipends
The payment of the basic stipend, together with any allowances, shall be made monthly on or before the 26th day of each month. APPENDIX A - APPROVED RATES UNDER THE PLAN From 1.1.2002 para. para. para. Any casual earnings of, or educational grants for, dependent children or housing or fixed car allowances paid by the church may be disregarded as family income. If the expected income is above the specified limit the allowance will be paid less 50p for every £1 that the income exceeds the limit. para.
para. para. para. para. APPENDIX B - GUIDELINES FOR HOUSING ALLOWANCES The provision of housing for the minister/CRCW is part of the normal conditions of service and the General Assembly has acknowledged the wish of some ministers/CRCWs to live in their own property. 1. Basic understanding In most cases ministers/CRCWs who live in their own properties are entitled to expect that the local pastorate will pay, in lieu of manse accommodation, an allowance to cover the standing charges on the property, consisting of the same elements that the local church would expect to meet had the minister/CRCW been living in the manse. 2. Allowance specifically 'in lieu of manse accommodation' When calculating housing allowances the following should be taken into consideration: i. rates (where payable), Council Tax ii. water/sewage charges iii. interior and exterior re-decorations (estimated yearly average) iv. repairs (estimated yearly average) v. property insurance. Note: The reference above to Council Tax does not apply in Scotland where Council Tax is the responsibility of the local church even if the minister/CRCW owns the property. The allowance should be re-calculated annually and, when paid, should be grossed up to take account of Income Tax and National Insurance. It should be noted that the allowance will be subject to employer's National Insurance, which will be added to the total cost to be recovered from the local church. APPENDIX C - ECUMENICAL SUPPORT GRANTS Ecumenical support grants may be made when a church is faced with the responsibility of contributing towards the cost of ministry of another denomination after the Ministry and Mission Fund contribution for a particular year has already been agreed. For example, in a UR/Methodist church, where a URC minister is replaced by a Methodist minister, the Ministry and Mission Fund contribution would normally continue at the same level for the remainder of the Ministry and Mission Fund financial year, but the church would probably have to contribute extra to the Methodist Circuit and an Ecumenical Support Grant from the Ministry and Mission Fund would enable it to do this. The receiving local church is responsible for paying the costs of removal (see para 6.3.3). Where the removal is within the United Kingdom reimbursement of up to 50% of the cost incurred (subject to a maximum reimbursement of £1,000) is available from the Ministry and Mission Fund and application should be made via the MoM Office. Where a minister/CRCW is called from abroad reimbursement from that Fund to the local church will be based on the removal costs from the port of entry. For ministers/CRCWs called to the URC under the Overseas Recruitment programme in conjunction with the Ministries Committee, 75% of the cost of removal of themselves, their families, and their baggage from abroad to the pastorate in the UK, up to a maximum of £2,000, will be reimbursed from the Ministry and Mission Fund. A similar reimbursement will be made for their return on termination provided that the period of service has continued for more than three years. |
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