Purpose
The Vice Chair supports the Chair of the Property Committee in ensuring effective governance, strategic oversight and timely decision-making across the Diocese’s operational property, glebe land and capital development activities. The role deputises for the Chair when required, maintains a strong interface with the Finance Executive, and ensures the Committee’s business aligns with the approved Terms of Reference and the Asset Investment & Management Policy.
Reporting Lines and Term
Reports to: Chair, Property Committee; accountable to the Trustees via the Committee governance framework.
Works with: Chief Executive & Diocesan Secretary, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Head of Residential Property, Archdeacons, Committee members, and external advisers (e.g., Land Agents).
Term: Three years, renewable subject to diocesan governance and appointment procedures.
Time commitment: Preparation and attendance at quarterly meetings (or as scheduled), agenda planning meetings, and ad hoc engagement on urgent property matters.
Key Responsibilities
- Governance leadership: uphold the Committee’s Terms of Reference, ensuring agendas, papers and decisions remain within remit and are well-evidenced; promote high-quality debate and clear actions.
- Deputise for the Chair: chair meetings when requested; ensure continuity of decision-making and appropriate escalation to Trustees/Finance Executive.
- Strategic portfolio oversight: provide assurance over operational property, glebe land and designated residential assets—including maintenance, disposals, acquisitions, lettings and development opportunities—in line with approved budgets and policies.
- Interface with Finance Executive: ensure alignment on use of proceeds from disposals and major investments; coordinate joint matters of policy and reporting as required.
- Capital projects and major works: support prioritisation, business cases and post-implementation reviews; seek appropriate external advice (e.g., Designated Advisor, land agents) and ensure compliance with procurement policy.
- Compliance and statutory duties: promote adherence to relevant Measures and legislation (e.g., Repair of Benefice Buildings Measure 1972; Church Property Measure 2018), charity regulation and diocesan policies; oversee risk management, insurance, safety and data integrity for property records.
- Quality of papers: work with the Chair and Committee Secretary to set agendas; ensure papers are concise, plain English, evidence-based, and circulated in good time; encourage clear recommendations and impact assessments (financial, safeguarding, H&S, ESG/NZC).
- Stakeholder engagement: build constructive relationships with Archdeacons, PCCs, parishes and external partners as required; encourage early consultation and transparent communication for property changes affecting ministry.
- Decision tracking and reporting: ensure actions, delegated authorities and decisions are recorded, monitored and reported to Trustees; support continuous improvement of governance processes.
- Ethics and safeguarding: champion the Diocese’s safeguarding, health and safety, equality, data protection and anti-bribery policies in all Committee business.