Diocesan Advisory Committee

In line with statutory provision and the priorities of Living God’s Love, the Committee has regard to churches as local centres of worship and mission, in which:

people can encounter God and be drawn into a worshipping community
parishes can reach out in mission
local communities can be transformed.

More information about the role of the DAC in the faculty system can be found on our Permissions page and its role in providing advice and support on the Caring for Your Church Building page.

The Committee includes clergy and specialists who can provide advice on a wide range of subjects including architecture, archaeology, bells, heating, lighting, re-ordering, organs, stained glass. The Committee meets six times a year.

Diocesan Advisory Committee for Care of Churches Constitution

Membership 2022-28:

Chair: (Appointed by the Bishop) Ms C Hunter

Ex Officio: The Archdeacons

Appointed by the Bishop’s Council: The Revd E Coley (Disability and Accessibility matters); Mr D Baker (Archaeology & Building Conservation); Mr S Carr (Quantity Surveyor); Mr M Dales (Architect); The Revd K David (Synod clergy representative); Mr John Davie (Synod lay representative); Mr M Eddison (Architect); Mr A Frost (Architect, Bells, Lighting and Sound Systems); Mr T Groom (Chartered Surveyor); Mr D Llewellyn (Chartered Surveyor); Mr M Simmons (Local Authority Representative).

Co-opted by the DAC for the remainder of the current term of office: Ms H Axworthy (Architect); Ms K North (Conservation/Building Materials).

Consultants to the Diocesan Advisory Committee: Mr C Muhley (Diocesan Organ Adviser); Mr W Fox – (Organs); Mr A Lucas (Organs); Dr C Green (Furniture, Churchyards, Memorials); Mr P Cormack (Stained glass); Dr D Dallinger (Mechanical Engineering); Mr G Hollis (Clocks); Mrs C James (Ecology); Mrs S Johnson (Conservation of Artefacts); Mr P Lunoe (Civil & Structural Engineering); Mr M Popper (Heating and Sustainability); Mr S Stanford (Bells), Mr L Curtis (Historic Timber Conservation).

DAC Secretary: Mrs E Critchley

Advisory Officer: Mrs J Dart

Team Secretary: Mrs M Shaw

Dates of Meetings in 2026:

Thursday 16 July (closing date for agenda items 2 July at 12:00)

Thursday 24 September (closing date for agenda items 3 September at 12:00)

Thursday 12 November (closing date for agenda items 29 October 12:00)

Dates of Meetings in 2027:

Thursday 21 January (closing date for agenda items 7 January at 12:00)

Thursday 11 March (closing date for agenda items 25 February at 12:00)

Thursday 13 May (closing date for agenda items 29 Abril at 12:00)

Thursday 8 July (closing date for agenda items 24 June at 12:00)

Thursday 30 September (closing date for agenda items 16 September at 12:00)

Thursday 25 November (closing date for agenda items 11 November at 12:00)

Are all applications considered at a DAC meeting?:

The majority of applications will be considered electronically between meetings by a standing committee of relevant DAC members. More complex and larger cases will be considered by the full committee at a meeting.

Can I observe a DAC Meeting?:

Whilst observers are very welcome, the DAC does not consider it is appropriate for parish representatives or their professional advisers to “present their case” at a meeting. The Committee believes that complex or contentious issues are best discussed during site visits, not at DAC meetings. There are two reasons for this: firstly it is better for DAC members to come to the church building or churchyard in question so that they have a real understanding of the situation. Secondly, the Chancellor deals with the final decision about works on the basis of a written submission and depends on good, clear documentation being provided for each application. If the written information provided for the DAC meeting is inadequate for the Committee it will certainly not be good enough for the Chancellor’s consideration. Verbal presentations at a DAC meeting would therefore not be helpful in the development of submissions that the Committee will recommend for a faculty application.