DAC Application Process - How does it all work?
The Church of England has to balance its duties as custodian of some fine buildings with the need to use these buildings to further our mission and ministry
The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) aims to manage effectively the church’s equivalent of planning regulations.
Below is a guide to what you need to do if you are looking to make any alternations to your church building.
Why a faculty process?
The State believes the church is best placed to decide on the suitability of any church alterations and has granted 'ecclesiastical exemption' from most aspects of planning law.
However, if we are seen to be reckless or insensitive, that exemption may change. The faculty process provides a statutory framework for the church to balance mission needs with heritage considerations.
The Chancellor of the Diocese - an independent judge - is the ultimate arbiter for Faculty petitions. Most of the time he will make a decision based on the paperwork. Occasionally, usually, when the case is controversial or has opposition, he will hold a special hearing called a Consistory Court, whose origins date back to the Norman Conquest, and whose role was revised by the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963.
The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) is a statutory body responsible for advising the Chancellor of the Diocese about the application he receives, prior to his making a judgement. The DAC can help you make sure you have the correct paperwork and all the necessary information you need about the alterations you propose.
The faculty process is governed by the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2022
Making alterations to church buildings
If you are looking to make alterations to your church building, you will probably need to make a Faculty application for permission.
There are a number of more minor works that don’t need to go through this process - these are detailed in the new Minor Matters Lists A & B:
- List A covers work that will not require permission
- List B details work that may be authorised directly by the Archdeacon
so the first thing to check is whether what you propose is covered by List A or List B: these are available here - Faculty Lists A & B
If the work is covered by List A, the work can go ahead with no further consultation. If the work is included in List B, you should you should create a List B application on the online faculty system and upload all the relevant details for submission to the Archdeacon. They may ask for further details and will seek advice from the DAC Secretary. Once they have considered the proposals, they will give their written authority, or they may say you need to obtain a Faculty.
Whatever you are proposing, a quick phone call to Chris Leggett at the DAC may save time in the long run. The DAC has experts in many fields who want to work with you to enrich your buildings for future worship and mission.
Net Carbon Zero
The Church of England has set itself a target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by the year 2030.
Any applications submitted to the DAC should include consideration of how the work will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the church building. Applications for heating systems should also include an appraisal of heating solutions and energy sources to support the preferred choice.
PCCs should complete the Energy Footprint Tool which can be found at parishreturns.churchofengland.org. This site also provides useful information on Net Zero 2030.
The diocese has formed a project team - Net Zero Carbon 2030 (NZC2030) - to help people and churches address these issues. They can be found here:
Taking Net Zero Carbon Seriously
Details of the national programme can be found here: Church of England Environmental Programme
and the Practical Path to Net Zero Carbon for Churches may be especially useful as it offers a checklist of actions from simple to project level:
Using the Faculty Process
If you are looking to apply for a faculty, you will need to complete some forms online and submit plans, specifications and estimates of cost.
You will need to consult your church architect for advice and have a PCC resolution in place. The DAC will examine these and make a formal recommendation to the Chancellor. The Chancellor places great weight on the DAC advice.
You can find a step by step guide to the faculty process here.
You will need to register to use the online system. When you’ve been approved you will then be able to use the system to submit faculty applications to the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) or "List B" applications to your archdeacon. You can register up to three users per parish.
How will the online system help parishes to complete applications?
- It will help you establish if the proposed work requires a faculty or can be authorised by the archdeacon.
- Prompts will help you complete your faculty applications correctly.
- Consultations and faculty applications will be quicker and easier to submit.
- You’ll be able to track the progress of your application through to the granting of a faculty.
Successful applications need to be thought through, properly costed, affordable and justifiable according to the worship and mission of the church. Contacting the DAC early on in the faculty process can help make it easier while balancing our heritage and mission needs.
How to register for the online faculty system
- Go to the Online Faculty System by clicking this link - Online Faculty System
- Click the "register" button (top right of screen)
- You’ll need to put the name of your church and your diocese (Liverpool) when you register.• Then you’ve been be approved, you’ll be able to submit faculty applications and “List B” requests.
- Up to three users will be authorised for each church.
You’ll find an introduction to the online faculty system on the Church Buildings Council’s website Church care. Please see the online user guides and FAQs for:
- detailed advice on the use of the system and
- the information you’ll need to include with applications.
All applications from church representatives may be processed via the online system.
If you have any queries or need guidance on the registration process please contact:
Chris Leggett
DAC Secretary
E: chris.leggett@liverpool.anglican.org
Quinquennial inspections
Within the Church of England, every church building must be inspected by an architect or chartered building surveyor approved by the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) every five years. This is known as a Quinquennial inspection [QQI], because it takes place every five years. This regular system of review is designed to ensure that church buildings are kept in good repair.
Changing architects
In the year that your church QQI is due, you have the opportunity to change your QQI architect. If however, you are not satisfied with the work of your inspecting architect or surveyor and wish to make the change sooner, you should discuss this matter with your archdeacon before submitting to the DAC a request to change your architect, which must include your reasons for requesting the change. You can appoint another architect from this approved list, which is then subject to DAC approval.
Related Forms which are submitted to the Diocesan Registry
Useful information
- Faculty Application Process (Updated 2019)
- Statements for applications - please also see the guidance from the Church Buildings Council - Guide to Statements of Significance & Need
DAC Meeting Date 2023
Please note that applications must be submitted two weeks prior to the meeting date.
Thursday 19th January
Thursday 23rd February
Thursday 23rd March
Thursday 20th April
Thursday 25th May
Thursday 22nd June
Thursday 20th July
No meeting in August
Thursday 21st September
Thursday 19th October
Thursday 23rd November
Thursday 14th December