The long-standing director of music at St Marie’s Cathedral in Hallam has been made redundant as the cathedral struggles to pay back a debt of more than £1 million. Other economies will affect the position of the cathedral administrator, who will not be replaced following the retirement of the present incumbent, and two other posts, which are to continue with reduced hours.
St Marie’s financial difficulties follow a refurbishment programme costing £1.7m, which was completed in November 2012. The cathedral has taken out a loan from the Diocese of Hallam and extended the deadline for repayment from 10 to 20 years, with payments in excess of £50,000 being due each year.
The director of music, Philip Jakob, 55, will end a 20-year career at the cathedral by leading the choir for the last time on Easter Sunday. His surprise departure was announced last weekend in a parish communication at Masses, which outlined the context of the cathedral’s financial difficulties.
It said: “Over the past months the financial position of St Marie’s Cathedral has had to be looked at carefully and in great detail … The economic downturn has had a great impact on cathedral income, especially with regard to the rental income from parish properties. It has been necessary to look again at the level of annual debt repayment to the diocese.”
The communication explained that “all parish expenditure” had been examined and there had been a “consultation process concerning all employees”.
On the director of music position, the communication said that “following the process of consultation Philip Jakob has agreed to accept voluntary redundancy.” It made clear that the redundancy was entirely for financial reasons.
“It is with the greatest regret that this decision has had to be taken which is due entirely to the financial situation of the cathedral and is not of Philip’s making,” said the communication. “Philip has contributed greatly over the past 20 years to the development of liturgical life, musical and vocal skills and resources here at the cathedral and in the Diocese of Hallam. His valuable effort and contribution will be very greatly missed.”
A source at the cathedral said that Mr Jakob is highly popular, and that he was informed at the end of March that there was simply no money to pay his salary.
The communication noted that the cathedral spire also needs rebuilding, anticipating possible further expenditure.
The statement said:
Over the past months the financial position of St Marie’s Cathedral has had to be looked at carefully and in great detail. This proved necessary following the restoration work which was completed in November 2012. The parish debt to the diocese is over one million pounds and it was originally hoped that this debt would be repaid over a period of ten years. The economic downturn has had a great impact on cathedral income especially with regard to the rental income from parish properties. It has been necessary to look again at the level of annual debt repayment to the diocese. This was done with the assistance of the Director of Diocesan Finance and the Diocesan Trustees, who have oversight over all diocesan income and expenditure. The Trustees have agreed to extend the repayment period to 20 years.
However, this still means there is a substantial figure of over £50,000 that has to be repaid each year. In addition, an examination of the cathedral spire has identified a serious need for repair work due to the erosion of internal metalwork supporting the spire structure. This will involve the rebuilding of the upper part of the spire … All parish expenditure, therefore, has had to be examined, including parish employment expenditure. A consultation process concerning all employees at St Marie’s has been carried out and consequently certain decisions have had to be taken.
The position of Cathedral Administrator which was held by Marie O’Hara prior to her retirement will not be replaced. Two existing staff posts have had a reduction in hours of employment, and one of the staff posts is now being carried out on a voluntary basis. The position of the Director of Music for the St Marie’s and the Diocese also had to be examined and following the process of consultation Philip Jakob has agreed to accept voluntary redundancy. Philip will lead the cathedral choir for the last time on Easter Sunday and the Music Group on Palm Sunday evening. It is with the greatest regret that this decision has had to be taken which is due entirely to the financial situation of the cathedral and is not of Philip’s making. Philip has contributed greatly over the past 20 years to the development of liturgical life, musical and vocal skills and resources here at the cathedral and in the Diocese of Hallam. His valuable effort and contribution will be very greatly missed.
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