THE headlines have focused on the proposals to close half a dozen York churches, and the sometimes hostile reaction to those plans.

But Canon Glyn Webster says there is much more to the Shreeve report on the future of pastoral provision in York than the church redundancy issue. He says the reaction to the report has been generally positive, with a widespread realisation that changes are needed.

"We cannot leave things as they are. As the Archbishop has said, doing nothing is not an option."

Canon Webster is the Rural Dean of York, which means he plays a key role in leading debate across the area about the report's recommendations, acting as a go-between between the Archbishop, Dr David Hope, and the clergy.

The report, commissioned by the Archbishop and published last month, was written by a team headed by retired priest David Shreeve.

As our maps show, it suggests a number of changes to the parishes. Some parish boundaries would change, some parishes would be taken out of the York Deanery and others would be moved into it.

Haxby and Wigginton would be combined into one parish and moved into the Easingwold Deanery and Osbaldwick and Heslington would move into York from Derwent Deanery, while on the west side of York, the York Outer Ring Road would act as the natural boundary for parishes. The report suggests St Wulstan's Church, in Fossway, might move into Huntington parish, again with the local boundaries changing.

Canon Webster says the ideas have already got some congregations talking to each other and building links.

The report suggests St Martin-Le-Grand, in Coney Street, should take on a new role as a proposed base for ministry to tourists and others in the city. "I think that's a very positive proposal," says Canon Webster, who says the church could provide increased opportunities for both worship and meetings.

The report recommends a cut in the number of full-time paid clergy. Canon Webster agrees this is necessary, not least because of a national shortage of such ministers. But he says it is also needed out of fairness: through an accident of history, York has more than its fair share of stipendiary clergy - one for every 4,000-5000 parishioners compared to one for every 7,000 in Hull and Middlesbrough within the same diocese.

On the closure proposals, he says there will be no heavy-handed decision from above: congregations will play a crucial role in deciding the future of their church buildings.

"I am not sure that any will be made redundant," he says. "I guess more will stay open than close. I can already see that there are positive ways in which some of these churches can remain open for worship."

Canon Webster stresses that no decisions have been taken, and he views the report's recommendations as a good starting point. "There are some proposals I would think excellent. There are some I would tweak differently.

"There has been a strongly positive response to the report. We do have a positive opportunity for the church to be able to minister efficiently and effectively in coming years."

Does your parish have a view on the proposals? Contact Mike Laycock on 01904 567132, or write a letter to the editor.

Updated: 11:19 Friday, October 11, 2002