Occasionally we may find items that do not belong to the Church in or around the Church Centre and, under the terms of our usage agreements, these  items become the property of the Church. Dependent on the perceived value (monetary and/or otherwise) of the item, various actions may be taken to try and trace the original owner and return the item.

For these actions to be effective, and for the Church to show that it has acted openly and transparently, the following steps are to be followed:-

• the ‘finder’ should notify the Property Secretary (Denise or Robin) if anything is found that seems to be ‘out of place’ and potentially lost.

• the item will be moved to an agreed secure location, or to the lost property (electricity) cupboard in the Hall. The finder takes no further action.
• the finding of any significant item will be documented on the Property Log (PLOG), and that record updated with any changes contemporaneously.  The item will be held in the small safe in the vestry, or in the boiler room if of significant size.

• if there is any likely ‘loser’ – a recent user of the room etc – then the group leader will be contacted to see if any loss has been reported or for the group to be circulated with generic details of the find.
• if the item is of any significant monetary or apparent sentimental value then it will be mentioned in the Church NewsSheet (again using a generic, rather than specific, description) and potential claimants directed to the Property Secretary.

• If unclaimed after a reasonable period then disposal will be discussed by Finance and Property Committee.
• This procedure will be posted on the Church website so that any potential claimant may be able to search for SMC Policy on lost property