CHURCH leaders are today debating whether to ask worshippers across Suffolk for £5,353,600 next year – an increase of nearly £300,000 on the amount they had to find during 2004.

CHURCH leaders are today debating whether to ask worshippers across Suffolk for £5,353,600 next year – an increase of nearly £300,000 on the amount they had to find during 2004.

The St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, which incorporates almost all of the county, is having to face up to dwindling support from the Church of England nationally, as Suffolk is viewed as a wealthy area.

During 2003 the Church nationally gave £370,000 to help Suffolk's diocese, this year they gave £270,000, and for next year that is set to fall to £199,000.

By 2007 it will dwindle to nothing and the diocese will have to contribute to help other areas in the country that are regarded as less affluent.

Nick Clarke, spokesman for the diocese, said: “We have been told that contributions from national Church funds, which 30 years ago supported the entire work of the Church of England in Suffolk, will be virtually nothing by 2007.

“We have to be self sufficient and contribute to the work of the Church's poorer dioceses, which is what we are about, the rich helping the poor.''

The vote to approve the 2005 budget of the Church of England in Suffolk will be taken at a meeting of the Church's parliament, the diocesan synod, in Woodbridge.

Michael Wilde, chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance, will tell delegates that the Church's budget for 2005 will be £6,837,429, which is an overall increase in expenditure of 3.26%.

Suffolk's parishes will be asked to contribute £5,353,600, an increase of 5.92%.

Mr Wilde said: “More than 87% of the Church's total expenditure relates to work done in Suffolk's 450 parishes. Local ministry and mission in and through our parishes is our number one priority.”

Last year parishes gave £4,576,000, more than 97% of what they were asked for, although without the generous bequest from the estate of Jock Causton, a former chairman of the board, the Church would have returned a deficit of £445,000 during 2003.

The meeting will also hear about youth work in the diocese and an address from the Rt Rev Richard Lewis, diocesan bishop.

The diocesan synod is being held at Farlingaye High School, Ransom Road, Woodbridge, today.