Working with the DAC

The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC) supports parishes with expert advice on caring for church buildings and undertaking projects. The DAC includes clergy, architects, conservation specialists, and representatives from Historic England and other organizations. Voluntary specialists provide additional guidance on artefacts, bells, clocks, organs, sound systems, trees, and textiles.

To arrange a visit from a specialist adviser or discuss your project, contact us at dac@bathwells.anglican.org. This expertise is available to parishes free of charge.

What is the Diocesan Advisory Committee?

The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) plays a statutory role in advising parishes and the Diocesan Chancellor, who makes the final decision on whether to grant a faculty (formal permission) for works to church buildings and churchyards.

The DAC exists to enable and support change while helping to preserve the heritage of our church buildings. It guides parishes through the permissions process for works inside and outside the church, ensuring projects are appropriate, sustainable, and in line with the church’s mission.

The DAC also coordinates responses from relevant bodies such as Historic England and the Church Buildings Council, helping to balance the needs of worship, community, and heritage. Its role is to support parishes in caring for church buildings—entrusted to us in stewardship—not just for today, but for future generations.

DAC Meeting Dates 2025

Wednesday, 15 January – Full Committee
Wednesday, 5 February – Standing Committee
Wednesday, 19 March – Full Committee
Wednesday, 9 April – Standing Committee
Wednesday, 21 May – Full Committee – Parish Deadline 16th April for application submissions
Wednesday, 11 June – Standing Committee
Wednesday, 16 July – Full Committee – Parish Deadline 11th June
Wednesday, 6 August – Standing Committee
Wednesday, 17 September – Full Committee – Parish Deadline 13th August
Wednesday, 8 October – Standing Committee
Wednesday, 12 November – Full Committee – Parish Deadline 8th October
Wednesday, 10 December – Standing Committee

Please note, applications to reach the DAC team by no later than 5 weeks before the meeting date.

DAC Mission Statement

The DAC's primary roles are:

Advising parishes on projects related to church buildings and churchyards.
Providing guidance for Faculty applications (legal authorization for works).
Supporting parishes in maintaining and conserving their buildings responsibly.
Acts as a statutory body to balance the missional needs of the parish and conservation concerns of the amenity societies.

The DAC commits to:

Encouraging creative mission and adaptive use of church buildings.
Promoting sustainable practices aligned with the Diocesan Environmental Policy.
Highlighting the historic significance of churches and ensuring their continued use for worship and community.

Why does it take so long for a decision to be made?

The DAC does not make the final decision—faculties are granted by the Diocesan Chancellor. The DAC’s role is to provide advice based on your application, which may also need input from external bodies like Historic England or the Church Buildings Council.

The process can take time because:

Applications often involve complex or detailed proposals.
External consultees have a time period within which to respond. This is unable to be fast tracked.
The Chancellor requires complete and accurate information to make a decision.

Delays are often caused by missing information or unclear proposals, so the more detailed and accurate your submission, the smoother the process will be. Engaging with the DAC early can help avoid unnecessary delays.

If you are considering a Faculty application, contact Jacqui or Joanne at dac@bathwells.anglican.org.