Grant and financial liability should one of the trees in the churchyard fall and damage life or property?

Question

The Parish Council pays several Grants to various churches in the parish, recently however, the Clerk has heard that should one of the trees in the churchyard fall and damage life or property the parish council can be held liable.  Please can you confirm whether this is the case and if so, whereabouts in the Local Government Act I can find it.  Thank you.

Answer 1

Liability rests with the owner, who should insure accordingly.

Comments

Would this not be possibility different if it is was a closed churchyard for which the PC had maintenance responsibility ?

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Yes, but if it was a closed churchyard, the PC would not normally be providing grants. I've assumed it's open. As a general rule, funders bear no liability for the projects they fund.