By Angelo Lawrence, Gleaner WriterMANDEVILLE, Manchester:
CHURCHES AND other organisations requesting a waiver of fees payable to the Manchester Parish Council will have to prove to that body that there are good reasons why such fees should be waived.
Additionally, they can expect to have such requests thoroughly scrutinised.
Already, three such organisations, the Catholic Pastoral Centre, Shiloh Apostolic Church and Sacred Heart Church have had their requests for fees associated with the construction of buildings for worship to be reduced, scrutinised by members of the Council. This took place during the Council's recent monthly meeting.
The Catholic Pastoral Centre, which is constructing a church in Victoria Town, had its assessed fee of $18,000 to the Council reduced by 50 per cent. A similar approval was given for a reduction in fees to the Sacred Heart Church of Christiana, although no figure was given.
However, the request by the Shiloh Apostolic Church, which is building a convention centre in Hanbury district off the Winston Jones Highway, met with stiff resistance from the councillors who are opposed to reducing by 50 per cent, the $1 million construction fee.
FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
In its submissions, the church pointed out that the convention centre would serve the community and will be available to other churches to hold their events.
But Deputy Mayor, Sally Porteous, questioned whether the centre will also be used as a place of worship or for other (commercial) purposes which would not be to the benefit of the community. Other councillors, including councillor Fairbourne Maxwell of the Mile Gully division, rejected the church's request in its present form. They noted that the money involved was substantial and that the Parish Council needs all the monetary resources available to carry out its functions.
After a lengthy examination of the matter, it was deferred for further investigation and assessment.
The Parish Council is responsible for the approval of building permits, carrying out of inspections and ensuring that buildings are constructed within the regulated safety rules and approved architectural plans.
