By Amaris Cole

The Charity Commission is officially confirming it is ‘reasonable’ for Broadway PCC to not enforce the Chancel Repair Liabilities for St. Eadburgha’s Church in Worcester.
This comes as good news to the worried Trustees who feared they might be legally obliged to cover repair costs due to changes in the law.
The PCC wrote to the Commission after deciding it did not wish to enforce liabilities now held by a number of residences in Broadway.
The Rev Michelle Massey, Vicar of Broadway, said: “It is great that we’ve managed to get this formal advice of the Charity Commission – it really is the best outcome for us and confirms that we don’t have to enforce the liabilities.”
Rev Massey says she is grateful to the Commission for responding so quickly, and for the support she has been given over this issue.
The BBC previously reported 30 households were sent letters threatening they were responsible for future repairs to the church, even though many did not attend St Eadburgh’s.
Now however, these fears have been calmed.
The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, who has been offering support to Broadway’s Vicar in this troubling time, said: “Many people have worked very hard to find this solution which is good news for everyone in Broadway.
“The PCC and the local community have been through a very difficult time and I hope they will now be able put it behind them and move forward together.
“I hope and pray, too, that good will come out of what has happened: the issue of Chancel Repair Liabilities is going to continue to affect parishes across the country and it may be that Broadway’s experience will give hope  to others and precipitate a more concerted national approach.”