The head of the Church of England in Guernsey has defended the system of compulsory contributions by ratepayers to protect Anglican parish churches. Canon Paul Mellor believes parishioners should continue to pay because they are maintaining buildings belonging to the whole parish, rather than the church.
But he admits the church is looking at ways of reducing the impact on rates.
"There is a joint committee of rector wardens and douzeniers looking at ways of phasing the essential work."
He added: "We must remember that in the parish of Torteval we have a very great resource in the rectory, which isn't inhabited by the rector.
"There are all sorts of ways forward being investigated which hopefully will allay fears of an enormous hike in rates in one year by spreading it over a number of years."
One-Minute World News 
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