Buildings and Fabric Issues

Paul Broadhurst, DAC Secretary

Training for New Churchwardens

Saturday 27 June 2015

Your church building

• Significance• Sources of advice• Faculty system• Health and safety• Quinquennial inspections• Lead theft• Environmental issues• Community use

Unlisted Grade 2

Grade 2* Grade 1

Significance: buildings

Significance: inside and outside

Separately-listed memorial or boundary wall

Scheduled ancient monument

Social significance

www.chester.anglican.org / Property

Advice

Clergy, architects, other experts:

• Informed advice

• Understand worship and mission

• Balance needs and heritage

Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)

DAC site visits:• Get work on right track early• Often save parish time and money

Specialist DAC Advisers• Including bells, stained glass, organs,

heating, audio visual, silver, art

DAC early advice

Faculties

Faculty system is:• An “approved system of control”• Much easier than secular control• We decide where our altars go - not local councils

• Replaces - in Law - Listed Building Consent and Conservation Area Consent

• It does not replace Building Regulations or Local Planning Consent

• We have to act responsibly … and prove it!

Needed for changes or major repairs

Church:Repairs (>£7,500 …)Changes (any value)

Anywhere:Items of historic or artistic importance may not always be obvious

Churchyard: Boundary wallsSeparately listed items (e.g. sundial)Halls / structuresClosed churchyards

Faculties

Why?The purpose of the faculty system is to ensure:• Proper control• Due consultation• Objections are dealt with properly• A legal and historical record

Faculties

Who does what?

• Need – PCC define

• Understand – PCC research fabric

• Solution – PCC take advice from architect / DAC / etc.

• Consult – PCC contact Historic England etc.

• Apply – PCC submit application

• Assess – DAC makes formal recommendation

• Notices – PCC advertise scheme

• Complaints – PCC respond to Chancellor

• Faculty – Issued by Chancellor

Faculties

• Need – PCC define

• Understand – PCC research fabric

• Solution – PCC take advice from architect / DAC / etc.

• Consult – PCC contact English Heritage etc.

• Apply – PCC submit application

• Assess – DAC makes formal recommendation

• Notices – PCC advertise scheme

• Complaints – PCC respond to Chancellor

• Faculty – Issued by Chancellor

Who does what? DAC’s role is relatively limited

Faculties

• Need – PCC define

• Understand – PCC research fabric

• Solution – PCC take advice from architect / DAC / etc.

• Consult – PCC contact English Heritage etc.

• Apply – PCC submit application

• Assess – DAC makes formal recommendation

• Notices – PCC advertise scheme

• Complaints – PCC respond to Chancellor

• Faculty – Issued by Chancellor

Faculties

Who does what? The PCC is in the driving seat

Faculty timescales

You can receive a faculty in 10 weeks: 2 weeks – Prior DAC review

2 weeks – Processing time after DAC meeting but can prioritise

4 weeks – Display of public notices

2 weeks – Residual legal action and review by Chancellor/Archdeacon

But it can take a lot longer:

Miss monthly DAC submission deadline = extra 4 weeks

Queries (e.g. unclear / alternatives / need) = weeks or months

Consultations late / unsatisfactory = weeks or months

Display notices incorrectly = extra 4 weeks

Formal complaints / Consistory Court = months

Plan ahead!

• Early Spring is a good time to start off a faculty application for major work to the heating system

• You will then have the faculty in time to do the work over summer

Paperwork …

… is mainly under PCC control

Applications should be:

• Clear

• Comprehensive

• Concise

Queries

This didn’t get recommended …

Materials?

Fixings?

Ends of rails?

Panels?

Colour?

Building Regs?

Visual context?

Application for handrails at chancel steps in Grade II building

… but the architect’s drawing did ...

... with clear supporting photos so that the DAC could understand the context

New online system

• Coming into operation 1 January 2016• Extra delegation of Minor Works to Archdeacons• Online help screens / prompts / feedback / tracking

Consultation

For changes to listed church buildings or

Sensitive fabric, PCCs are legally

obliged to consult those bodies appropriate

to their particular scheme:• Historic England – Grade 1 or 2*• The Victorian Society• The Georgian Group• S.P.A.B.• 20th Century Society• Other specialist groups - e.g. historic organs• Local planning authority for external work

Chancellor always requires sight of

relevant, professional opinion

• Research / understand

• Be factual

• Listen

• Be willing to compromise where appropriate

• Focus on the best outcome for everyone

Tips on good consultation

Diocesan Advisory Committee

Formal role is to make recommendations on faculty applications to the Diocesan Chancellor:

Recommend / Not object / Not recommend

Informal role is often to help a parish to:

• Improve a scheme

• Save money

• Take a longer view

• Save a parish from itself!!

Emergencies

Immediate permission available, e.g.•dangerous masonry•failed heating during cold weather

Quinquennial inspections

Inspection of church every 5 years• Identify issues• Plan ahead• Diocese pays for the report• Foster relationship with your architect

Health & Safety responsibilities of PCCs

Issues to consider include:

• Trip/fall hazards (around font?)

• Fire / asbestos / lightning conductor

• Lightning conductor, trees, grave memorials

Reasonable action / common sense

Detailed guidance on DAC web pages

Plemstall St Peter June 2012

Warmingham St LeonardMay 2015

Thieves used cherry picker and low loader

Lead theft: Is YOUR church next?• Risk assessment – see DAC web pages• Physical security• SmartWater forensic marking system• Report all crime to Police and DAC

Environment initiatives

Be clear on your primary goal: • to act responsibly? (often more expensive) or• to save money?

Big statements are often the least effective

Best to:• Service boiler(s)

• Install smart heating controls

• Reduce draughts - but keep “good” ventilation

• Be wary of unseen effects (e.g. organs / woodwork)

Detailed guidance on DAC web page on “saving energy”

Community use

Wider community use of churches:• You can be bold and imaginative!• Outreach• Income• Funding help available

Detailed guidance on DAC web pages

What does your building say …

… to possibly thousands of people every day of the week?

“O still, small voice of calm!”