Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018

46 Inspection: contents etc.

(1) An inspection of a church under the scheme referred to in section 45 must include an inspection of—

(a) every movable article in the church which the inspector is directed by the archdeacon, after consultation with the advisory committee of the diocese, to treat as being—

(i) of outstanding architectural, artistic, historical or archaeological value,

(ii) of significant monetary value, or

(iii) at special risk of being stolen or damaged;

(b) every other article in the church which the inspector considers to be of the description in sub-paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (a);

(c) every ruin in the churchyard which is designated by the Council for British Archaeology and the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England acting jointly as being of outstanding architectural, artistic, historical or archaeological value;

(d) every tree in the churchyard belonging to the church in respect of which a tree preservation order under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is in force.

(2) Any expenses properly incurred by a PCC, with the prior approval of the diocesan board of finance, for the purpose of implementing a recommendation contained in a report made in respect of a ruin under subsection (1)(c) must be paid by the board.

(3) A reference in this section or section 45 or 47 to the inspection of a church is to be read in light of subsection (1).

(4) “Ruin” means a site which comprises the remains of a building which are above the surface of the land; and for this purpose “site” does not include—

(a) a monument (within the meaning of section 66), or

(b) a site which is used for the purposes of public worship according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.