Basildon's ongoing belltower fiasco could become a test case for the reform of parochial church councils.
The call by Peter Reid, acting chairman of Basildon St Martin's PCC, have been echoed by the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev John Perry, who also believes reforms may be necessary.
The PCCs, which have charity status, are largely independent of the central church and do not require any permission to build on non-ecclesiastical land. Canon Lionel Webber, 65, church rector, and a chaplain to the Queen, has run into problems while trying to secure funding to build the town's unfinished belltower.
The PCC is facing two county court judgments - one from builders Mowlem asking for nearly £500,000 and another from Basildon insurer, Richards, Wines and Levy, demanding £26,000.
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