A BISHOP has told campaigners that there is no point lobbying him about the threat to Startforth Community Centre because he can’t change the law.
Before Christmas, the parish council invited the Rt Revd Bishop Nick Baines, the head of the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, to visit the former Startforth Morritt Primary School, which is now run as a community centre. The invitation came after the diocese applied for an order that would allow them to alter the terms of the building’s historic
trust.
If granted, the proposed order would allow the premises to be sold.
This has angered locals including the vicar, Canon David Tomlinson. Along with church warden Andrea Clarke, he delivered a 1,200-signature petition to the Department of Education in January. That month, parish councillors were told the Bishop was unable to commit to visit the community centre because of ill health.
However, last week parish clerk Judith Mashiter told members the consultation period had been extended by a month.
Chairwoman Cllr Liz Franklin said: “This is good news and it gives us more time but we still need to push.”
Cllr Peter Worley said: “What more can we do? The Bishop won’t answer us.”
Ms Mashiter added: “I chased up his office on February, saying I hoped his health continued to be stable and got a reply two days later.
“It said ‘we are looking at a date that would work and hope to find a date in the next couple of months but I’m not in a position to change the law and there is no point in trying to lobby me on something I can’t change’.”
Community centre volunteer Judith Rodwell said: “But they can change things. Can’t they withdraw the Section 554 order? They don’t want to – he’s saying that.”
Cllr Peter Worley said: “A man of the cloth wouldn’t lie, but he is not telling the
truth.”
Jim Boaden, from the Startforth Neighbourhood Plan group, said: “He is being economical with the truth.”
The Bishop’s response had been forwarded to the vicar.
She added: “His [the vicar] reply was very short. He said a bishop can’t change the law, but he can change his attitude.”
Cllr Worley said: “Tell him he is more than welcome to come to Startforth.”
The parish council agreed the invitation would remain open.
