Overall Purposes of Role
To support the Chair of the DAC in ensuring that meetings are well run, and that all proposals before the Committee are properly and effectively considered, paying attention to appropriate specialist advice.
The DAC plays an advisory role to clergy and church officers who are seeking to make changes to their church buildings and churchyards. Specifically the committee is to advise on:
(a) The grant of faculties (a legal document provided by the Diocesan Chancellor permitting works to go ahead),
(b) The architecture, archaeology, art or history of a place of worship,
(c) The use, care, planning, design or closure of a place of worship,
(d) The use or care of the contents of a place of worship, or
(e) The use or care of a churchyard or burial ground.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities
- To support the DAC as it carries out its role in relation to the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018.
- To provide information, training and guidance for parishes in aspects of managing their church(es).
- Together with the DAC Secretariat respond on behalf of the Diocese/DAC to national initiatives and wider consultations on issues affecting the historic environment and in particular places of worship.
- Willingness and enthusiasm to consider new ideas for improving the work of the DAC and to contribute to the Diocesan strategies and conversations, where it concerns the creative use of church buildings.
Nature and Scope of Role
- There are nine committee meetings a year (either in person or via Zoom) and deal with the DAC Secretariat, other DAC members, the Registrar, Archdeacons, the Chancellor, and others where appropriate.
- To represent the DAC as required, for example at Consistory Court hearings, and other events.
- To work closely with the DAC Secretariat and other diocesan staff on matters relating to current casework as appropriate.
- To advise parishes on matters relating to church buildings and churchyards by undertaking site visits, as required.
- To provide advice on formal faculty and List B casework by email or via the Online Faculty System platform.
- To promote and support the long-term sustainable future of church buildings across the diocese by helping individual congregations to care for them and adapt them for today’s needs. To encourage parishes and help them face the changing challenges of the Church’s mission.
- To keep abreast of national campaigns and policies and respond to them.
- To support the DAC Secretariat in responding to challenges and opportunities facing parishes in the Diocese of Chelmsford.
- To support the management and the effectiveness of the DAC in handling casework.
Volunteer Activities
To support the Chair of the DAC in ensuring that meetings are well run, and that all proposals before the Committee are properly and effectively considered, paying attention to appropriate specialist advice: –
1) To support the DAC as it carries out its role in relation to the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018
- Be available for the nine committee meetings a year (either in person or via Zoom) and collaborating with the DAC Secretariat, other DAC members, the Registrar, Archdeacons, the Chancellor, and others.
- To represent the DAC as required, for example at Consistory Court hearings, and other events.
- In collaboration with the DAC Secretariat and other diocesan staff to handle matters relating to current casework as appropriate.
2) To provide information, training and guidance for parishes in aspects of managing their church(es).
- To advise parishes on matters relating to church buildings and churchyards by undertaking site visits, as required.
- To provide advice on formal faculty and List B casework by email or via the Online Faculty System platform.
- To promote and support the long-term sustainable future of church buildings across the diocese by helping individual congregations to care for them and adapt them for today’s needs. To encourage parishes and help them face the changing challenges of the Church’s mission.
3) Together with the DAC Secretariat respond on behalf of the Diocese/DAC to national initiatives and wider consultations on issues affecting the historic environment and in particular places of worship.
4) Willingness and enthusiasm to consider new ideas for improving the work of the DAC and to contribute to the Diocesan strategies and conversations, where it concerns the creative use of church buildings.
- To support the DAC Secretariat in responding to challenges and opportunities facing parishes in the Diocese of Chelmsford.
- To support the management and the effectiveness of the DAC in handling casework.
5) Understand and maintain confidentiality in relation to diocesan and individual data and in line with the 2018 Data Protection Act.
6) Act in accordance with all relevant policies including the Suite of Policy and Practice Guidance provided by the National Safeguarding Team for the Church of England.