Deep cuts loom for Winchester Diocese

Winchester diocesan synod will vote tomorrow on a new budget for 2010 that will see off diocesan and clergy posts as well as university chaplaincies if approved.

According to The Church Times, the diocese is planning the cuts in an attempt to save £1m on next year’s budget.

Posts facing the axe include Canon Missioner, Partnership Development Director, chaplains at Southampton University, Southampton Solent University and Bournemouth FE/HE College, and Chaplain for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

The chaplaincy at Southampton University is fighting against the cuts with an online petition warning of “serious ramifications” for the provision of any chaplaincy at the University “as the Anglican community provides the largest part of the financial backing”.

“If Chaplaincy leaves the University, important links and relationships will be lost. It would be hard for the Chaplaincy to return to the University at this level,” it says.

The introduction to the proposed budget speaks of the need to continue structural reorganise and cut costs “which we believe could be achieved without substantial damage to our Vision”. The diocesan synod can only vote to accept or reject the proposed budget, but not to amend it.

The proposed cuts come after a £1.4 million shortfall pushed the diocese into its reserves earlier in the year. According to Church Times, PCC treasurers were told: “A shortfall of this magnitude mid-year is clearly a challenge in terms of paying stipends, salaries, and suppliers’ bills, and so anything you can do to bring your PCC’s Parish Share up to date would be much appreciated.”