Purpose
The Chair of the Property Committee provides leadership, governance and strategic direction to ensure effective oversight of the Diocese’s operational property, glebe land and capital development activities. The Chair ensures that the Committee fulfils its Terms of Reference, supports the Trustees in discharging their responsibilities for property stewardship, and maintains robust alignment with the Asset Investment & Management Policy.
Reporting Lines and Term
Reports to: Trustees via the Committee governance framework.
Works with: Chief Executive & Diocesan Secretary, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Head of Residential Property, Head of Assets & Development, Bishops, 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 development and planning sessions, and ad hoc engagement on urgent or complex property matters.
Key Responsibilities
Governance Leadership
- Lead the Committee in upholding its Terms of Reference, ensuring that agendas, papers and decisions remain within remit and are well‑evidenced.
- Facilitate high‑quality debate and promote effective decision‑making, ensuring clear action points and accountability.
- Provide assurance to the Trustees on property‑related governance, compliance and performance.
Strategic Portfolio Oversight
- Provide overall strategic oversight for operational property, glebe land and designated residential assets—including maintenance, disposals, acquisitions, lettings and development opportunities—in line with approved budgets and diocesan policies.
- Ensure the Committee maintains a strong forward‑looking approach to asset utilisation, investment and risk.
Alignment with Finance Executive
- Maintain a close working relationship with the Finance Executive to ensure consistency between financial strategy and property activity.
- Oversee the Committee’s input into decisions concerning the use of proceeds from disposals, major investments and capital allocations.
Capital Projects and Major Works
- Oversee prioritisation of capital projects and major works, ensuring robust business cases, financial appraisals and post‑implementation reviews.
- Recommend external advice (e.g., Designated Advisor, land agents) where necessary.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies and high standards of value for money.
Compliance and Statutory Duties
- Ensure the Committee promotes adherence to relevant Measures and legislation (e.g., Repair of Benefice Buildings Measure 1972; Church Property Measure 2018), charity regulation and diocesan policies.
- Oversee the management of property‑related risk, insurance, health and safety considerations, and data accuracy for property records.
Quality of Papers and Meeting Management
- Lead the development of Committee agendas with the Committee Secretary, ensuring a well‑structured forward plan.
- Ensure papers are concise, in plain English, evidence‑based, and circulated in good time.
- Encourage authors to present clear recommendations with impact assessments (financial, safeguarding, H&S, ESG/NZC).
Stakeholder Engagement
- Foster constructive relationships with Archdeacons, PCCs, parishes and external partners.
- Promote early consultation and transparent communication for property proposals that may affect ministry or parish operations.
Decision Tracking and Reporting
- Ensure that decisions, delegated authorities and actions are properly recorded, monitored and reported to Trustees and other relevant governance bodies.
- Champion continuous improvement of governance standards and Committee effectiveness.
Ethics and Safeguarding
- Uphold and promote the Diocese’s safeguarding, health and safety, equality, data protection and anti‑bribery policies in all Committee business.
- Ensure that ethical considerations and the wellbeing of those affected by decisions are embedded in Committee discussions.