The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches
The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC) advises the Archbishop, the Chancellor, the Archdeacons, PCCs and petitioners on matters pertaining to applications for authority to carry out works to church buildings and churchyards. The Committee is also required to advise on the appointment of architects for new churches, on the design of new churches and, in certain cases, on the design of church halls.
Committee members meet clergy, churchwardens, donors or other interested parties in an informal way to discuss impending projects. The Secretary and specialist advisers are also available to offer a considerable amount of free, expert advice to parishes on a wide range of matters to do with church buildings, the care, conservation, repair or re-ordering of their contents and the commissioning of new work in all media. Early consultation with the Committee or its advisers can often ensure the smooth passage of a submission when it comes formally before the full Committee. Both the Chancellor and the Archdeacons require the Committee’s advice on all submissions before they will issue a faculty.
List of Advisers available for consultation:
- Mrs Celia Ankers (Textile and Embroidery)
- Mr J Arthur (Bells and Bell-frames, Clocks)
- The Revd P Bristow (Re-ordering)
- The Revd Dr G Drewery (Reed Organs/Harmoniums)
- Mr D Evans (Archaeology)
- Mr R Glister (Heating)
- Mr D Haddon-Reece (Electrics and Lighting, Redundant Church Furnishings Officer)
- Mr F Sutcliffe (Organs)
- Mr P Wildgust (Stained Glass)
- The Revd Dr J Zarek (Acoustics and Sound)
Guidance Notes are also regularly issued or up-dated in response to changes to the law or matters of widespread concern to those responsible for the care of churches and churchyards. The Committee also administers the system of architects approved to carry out Quinquennial Inspections within the Diocese, and approves their appointment at the request of Parochial Church Councils. In addition it monitors, and through the Secretary is occasionally asked to recommend, applications for grant-aid to churches.
Phil Thomas is also available to give advice on preparing the Statement of Significance and Statement of Need which need to be submitted when the works or proposals involve making a significant change to a listed church.
The Committee is made up of the following people:
- Chairman: The Revd Canon D. Hodgson
- Vice-chairman: Mrs S Whittaker (Lay Representative, East Riding)
- Secretary: Mr Philip Thomas
- The Archdeacon of Cleveland
- The Archdeacon of the East Riding
- The Archdeacon of York
- Mr R J Carr-Archer (Architect)
- The Revd LS Deas (Clergy Representative, East Riding)
- Mrs J Harding (Nominated by English Heritage)
- Mrs J Kitching (Lay Representative, Cleveland. Fabric and Design Adviser)
- Mr D Lockett (Architect)
- Mrs L Mayes (Diocesan Synod Representative)
- Dr H Mytum (Lay Representative, York. Archaeology Adviser)
- Mr S Ramsdale (Local Authority representative)
- The Revd Canon K Richards (Clergy Representative, York)
- Mr D Sherriff (Architect.)
- The Revd Canon J Weetman (Clergy Representative, Cleveland)
- Dr R Wools (Nominated by the statutory Amenity Societies.)
- In Attendance: Mr LPM Lennox (Diocesan Registrar)
