The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)

The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches, known as the DAC, is a statutory body set up under the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991.  Its main functions are to give advice on the architecture, archaeology, art and history of places of worship; the care and maintenance of church buildings and their contents; and the care and maintenance of churchyards.

For the most part, the DAC advises churchwardens, PCCs and clergy who are planning work to their churches, and advises the Chancellor whether or not a faculty should be granted.  This advice is given on a voluntary basis by members of the Committee, supported by a team of consultants and advisers on such specialised topics as bells, brasses, clocks, organs and trees.

Caring for church buildings is a great challenge for churchwardens and PCCs.  The DAC provides advice, support, and encouragement at all stages of projects, from initial thoughts, through fundraising and making a faculty application, to completion, whether it be quinquennial repairs, reordering, or a new extension, whether on a small or large scale.  As well as producing guidance notes and other published material (see below), the DAC and its consultants are happy to visit parishes to offer their expertise and experience – the earlier in the process, the better.

The DAC also organises a biennial conference on Caring for the Parish Church, and administers the Design Awards Scheme.

For further information, please contact the DAC Secretary, Sandra Turner, or follow the links below:

• The DAC and the Faculty Process
• Guidance notes
• DAC agenda and meeting dates 2008
  
• DAC Constitution
• Annual Report 2007
  
• De Minimis List of works which may be undertaken without a faculty
• List of consultants and advisers
• List of approved architects and surveyors for quinquennial inspections
• The Changing Church : a guide to developing and adapting church buildings
• Bats in Churches : a management guide - produced by Natural England
• Churchyard Handbook
• Caring for the Parish Church conference
• Design Awards Scheme
• Redundant Organs guidance

The following websites also contain useful information and advice:

• Ancients Monuments Society
• Church Care (Council for the Care of Churches)
• Ecclesiastical Insurance
• English Heritage
• Essex County Council
• Essex Environment Trust
• Friends of Essex Churches Trust
  
• Funds for Historic Buildings
• Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
• Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
• Victorian Society
• Natural England