Chair of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)

May 2018

Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)

The Diocesan Advisory Committee helps parishes to manage any kind of change to their church buildings. All deliberations are undertaken with the aim of balancing care and conservation with enabling worship and mission. The Committee is mindful of the need to assist the real work of parishes in their communities.

Matters before the Committee may include repairs, reordering or even extensions. The Committee then advises the Chancellor in making decisions about granting faculties to allow such works to proceed. This is a legal requirement as our churches are subject to Faculty Jurisdiction (the ecclesiastical equivalent of listed building consent) and many of them are listed.

The Committee is made up of both clergy and lay people and can offer specialist advice on a wide range of topics including archaeology, bells, clocks, lighting, organs, stained glass, heating, re-orderings, etc. – as well as on the conservation of our rich store of historic buildings. All of this time and expertise is given freely. Representatives of a number of interested societies are also appointed as members of the DAC. The DAC meets usually 8 times pa with some matters advanced by email between meetings.

Appointment of a new Voluntary Chair

The wishes to appoint a new Chair to succeed Mr Frank Eul, who is retiring from the role in 2018 after 5 years.

If you would like to have an informal discussion about this role, please do not hesitate to contact me via Annemarie Kendell, Executive Assistant to the Diocesan Secretary at [email protected]

Yours faithfully,

Christopher Futcher

Archdeacon of Exeter, The Ven. Christopher Futcher

Chair of the DAC: role description

The Chair of the DAC will:

• Chair all meetings of the DAC and ensure that all proposals before the Committee are properly and effectively considered, paying attention to appropriate specialist advice • Normally be involved when the DAC provides training for churchwardens and others responsible for the care and development of church buildings • report to the Diocesan Bishop and work closely with the , Registrar, Chancellor and DAC Secretary • has no line management responsibility, but is expected to work closely with the Church Buildings Advisers • attend site visits for significant re-orderings or in cases of pastoral sensitivity • make her/himself known to national and regional representatives of the Church Buildings Council and Historic England, and attend national and regional meetings of DAC Chairs and Secretaries • make her/himself known to inspecting architects and surveyors in the diocese as their appointment is overseen by the DAC • be able to allocate around one day per week to the role.

All reasonable expenses will be fully reimbursed. An induction programme to the role and other departments of the diocese will be provided. .

Person Specification

Essential Attributes:

The Chair of the DAC will be: • a member of the in good standing • an able experienced chair with proven ability at balancing conflicting views and reaching, and taking responsibility for, decisions. An ability to relate well with people at all levels; good analytical skills and grasp of detail are necessary • able to work with flexibility and understanding of diocesan priorities and current issues in conservation • an ambassador, promoting the work of the DAC positively among churchwardens and clergy • comfortable in working with amenity societies and other partners and the way in which these enrich the DAC with a variety of skill and expertise and opinion • IT literate and able to access online systems.