Diocesan Advisory committee
Each Diocese has a Diocesan Advisory Committee ("DAC") which advises the Chancellor upon faculty applications.
The DAC includes members with expertise in particular areas relating to church buildings, such as architecture, organs, archaeology, etc. The DAC's main role is in advising the Chancellor of the Diocese in connection with applications for Faculties to authorise the carrying out of works to churches and churchyards. However, the DAC is always willing to give advice to parishes prior to their making applications for Faculties.
DAC MEETINGS
The fully-completed faculty form together with PCC Resolution, copy Form 2 and all supporting documentation must be with the Care of Churches department at the Diocesan Office by the following dates:
2008
For the November meeting by 12 noon on Monday 10th November
For the December meeting by 12 noon on Monday 8th December
2009
For the January meeting by 12 noon on Monday 12th January
For the February meeting by 12 noon on Monday 2nd February
For the March meeting by 12 noon on Monday 9th March
No meeting in April
For the May meeting by 12 noon on Monday 4th May
For the June meeting by 12 noon on Monday 1st June
For the July meeting by 12 noon on Monday 6th July
No meeting in August
For the September meeting by 12 noon on Monday 7th September
For the October meeting by 12 noon on Monday 5th October
For the November meeting by 12 noon on Monday 2nd November
Please do make sure that full specifications of work are supplied together with supporting plans (A3 is the largest size we can photocopy) and photographs (preferably digital). Incomplete information may mean that consideration of your application has to be adjourned to the next meeting.
FACULTY FORM
This form may be completed online
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Send to:
Sarah Perons/Kate Lloyd-Jones
Care of Churches Department
Llandaff Diocesan Office
The Court
Coychurch
Bridgend
CF35 5EH
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS,
OR, A BASIC GUIDE TO FACULTIES
This aims to provide a short guide to the faculty procedure for busy people who would rather be doing something else. A full explanation can be found here.
What on earth is a faculty?
Put simply, it’s an official permission to make a physical alteration to your church.
And why do we need “official permission”?
The faculty process seeks to protect the heritage of the church for future generations whilst at the same time trying to balance the needs of Christian mission in the 21st century. The DAC 
and the Chancellor aim to act objectively on behalf of the church as a whole.
The National Assembly for Wales gives the church what’s called “the Ecclesiastical Exemption” which means that the church doesn’t have to go through the secular Listed Building Consent procedure when making alterations to churches. This freedom comes at a price though – we have to comply with a strict set of guidelines set out by government. This is the Faculty procedure. If we are seen to be avoiding or failing to implement this procedure then the church could lose the Exemption. This would not be good for a number of reasons but as this is the short guide we won’t go into it here.
Many church buildings are listed as being of special architectural or historic interest and changes to those buildings are controlled by CADW, on behalf of the National Assembly. CADW, the local authority and the appropriate National Amenity Societies (eg the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) must be consulted before a faculty can be granted.
Someone I spoke to about faculties from another parish told me not to bother because it takes too long
It’s a common misconception that the faculty process is very slow and long-winded. In fact the majority of applications go through the committee process without a hitch. Unless the matter is controversial or complicated and if you provide sufficient information for the committee then there shouldn’t be a problem. So here are two reasons to get on and apply:
- The DAC members are there to help and can provide a second opinion to confirm the wisdom of your proposals. In the long run this might save both time and money.
- Incumbents and churchwardens are under a legal duty to comply with the statutory procedure so you may leave yourself open to paying the costs of any remedial work or court proceedings if you don’t apply.
So what’s the first step?
We suggest a conversation with Sarah Perons or Kate Lloyd-Jones at the Care of Churches Department who will be able to advise on the most effective way to proceed with your particular case.
Then you’ll need to submit:
1. A Faculty application form
2. A copy of the completed Form 2 (this is the notice at the end of the Faculty form that must be displayed outside the church or in the church porch for 28 days)
3. A copy of the PCC resolution agreeing to apply for a faculty or a signed declaration from the incumbent that s/he has seen the appropriate minute
4. Digital photographs of the church context, and of anything proposed to be installed
5. The architect’s and/or contractor’s specifications for the work including plans and elevations and quotations as appropriate.
Click here for Guidance Notes for the completion of the Faculty form.
Note that the final decision on any faculty application rests with the Chancellor of the Diocese, HH Judge John Griffiths Williams. It is the Chancellor alone who may grant a faculty – the DAC may only recommend a proposal.
All documentation should be sent to:
Sarah Perons/Kate Lloyd-Jones
Care of Churches Department
Llandaff Diocesan Office
The Court
Coychurch
Bridgend
CF35 5EH
GUIDANCE NOTES
Churchyard Management - RB Policy
Grant Funding for Community Projects in Church Buildings
Mobile Phone Masts On Churches
Oil Storage Regulations - the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001
Repair to Listed Places of Worship (Grant)
VAT - How to reclaim it on eligible repairs to listed places of worship
Wider/Community Use of Churches and Church Halls
USEFUL LINKS
CADW
The Welsh Assembly Government's historic environment division. Cadw's mission is to protect, conserve, and to promote an appreciation of the built heritage of Wales.
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)
Advises on the care of old buildings, runs training courses and campaigns to save buildings at risk.
The Conservation Register
Holds information on conservator-restorers in the UK and Ireland. You can use this website to find a local conservator-restorer and for guidance on caring for art, antiques and decorative features of buildings.
The Twentieth Century Society
Aims to safeguard the heritage of architecture and design in Britain from 1914 onwards.
The Victorian Society
The Victorian Society is the national society responsible for the study and protection of Victorian and Edwardian architecture and other arts.
The Ancient Monuments Society
Dedicated to the study and conservation of ancient monuments, historic buildings and fine old craftsmanship in the UK.
Friends of Friendless Churches
The equivalent in Wales of the Churches Conservation Trust (the remit of which covers England only).
The Georgian Group
The group campaigns against the neglect, maltreatment and destruction of Georgian buildings, parks and gardens in England and Wales.
Heritage Lottery Fund
Heritage and repair grants.
Llandaff & Monmouth Diocesan Association of Bell Ringers
Bell ringing information and advice. Limited grants may be available for bell restoration. See Bell Restoration Fund (BRF) entry under the "Association" menu.
Church of England "Churchcare" site
Maintaining a church involves a myriad of different tasks from Health and Safety issues to repairing roofs, from insuring the church to fundraising. The website is a 'one-stop shop' for anyone involved in the running of a church.NB this is a C of E site so not all regulations will apply to Wales.
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
An interim grant scheme which returns, in grant aid, the difference between 5% and the actual amount spent on VAT on eligible repairs to listed places of worship.