Expressions of interest sought: Advisers to Lichfield DAC
An exciting opportunity has arisen to become an Adviser to the Lichfield Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), which role is appointed by the Diocesan Bishop.
- Do you love church buildings and want to see their communities flourish?
- Do you share the goal for churches to become carbon net zero by 2030?
- Have you got the insight and enthusiasm to help drive this mission forward?
The Diocese of Lichfield would like to hear from specialists in building services with the time and skills to offer advice, in a voluntary capacity, to our statutory committee on church buildings, the Lichfield DAC.
- Further details about the role, and how to apply, can be found on the dedicated expressions of interest web page
Members
A person carrying out functions of care and conservation… relating to churches must have due regard to the role of a church as a local centre of worship and mission.
Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018
Membership of the Lichfield Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) is governed by schedule 2 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018 and constitutes:
- the Chair, appointed by the Diocesan Bishop after consultation with Bishop's Council, the Diocesan Chancellor and the Church Buildings Council
- the Archdeacons (ex officio members)
- at least 12 other members
These other members represent:
- 2 appointed by Bishop's Council from among the elected members of Diocesan Synod
- at least 10 others appointed by Bishop's Council, including 3 appointed after consultation with Historic England, the Local Government Association and the National Amenity Societies
- others co-opted with the consent of the Diocesan Bishop
The members appointed must have between them:
- knowledge of the history, development and use of church buildings
- knowledge of Church of England liturgy and worship
- knowledge of architecture, archaeology, art and history
- experience of the care of historic buildings and their contents
In accordance with the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure Code of Practice 1993:
Members of DACs are not delegates or representatives of either the body which appointed them or any other body which was consulted about their appointment, although they are encouraged to report back to those bodies and to keep them interested in and informed of the Committee's activities. Members must exercise an independent judgement on each matter before them, must declare any interest and withdraw from the discussion in appropriate cases, and must exercise reasonable care and (in the case of professional people) reasonable professional skill and judgement.
The Church Buildings Council (CBC) has published the following updated guidance (2022):
Members and advisers of the Lichfield DAC are insured under the provisions of the Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance (LDBF).
Functions of DAC members
In accordance with section 37 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018, the DAC must act as an advisory body on matters affecting places of worship in the diocese and, in particular, must give advice when requested by a relevant person on matters relating to the:
- grant of faculties
- architecture, archaeology, art or history of a place of worship
- use, care, planning, design or closure of a place of worship
- use or care of the contents of a place of worship
- use or care of a churchyard or burial ground
The DAC must review and assess the degree of risk to materials, or of loss to archaeological or historic remains or records, arising from proposals relating to the conservation, repair or alteration of a place of worship, churchyard or burial ground or the contents of such a place.
In carrying out its functions, the DAC must have due regard to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.
Lichfield DAC members
There are 24 members for the Synodical period 2022–27
The Revd Preb Pat Hawkins QHC BA (Hons) MA BPhil BTh (Hons) | Chair |
The Ven Dr Susan Weller BSc (Hons) BA (Hons) PhD | Archdeacon of Lichfield |
The Ven Julian Francis BA MA | Archdeacon of Walsall |
The Ven Dr Megan Smith MBChB MRCP(UK) FRCPCH MTh MSc FHEA | Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent |
The Ven Paul Thomas BA MA | Archdeacon of Salop |
The Revd Preb Terry Bloor BTh (Hons) | Associate Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent |
The Revd Jo Farnworth BA MA BTh MA | Associate Archdeacon of Salop |
The Revd Neil Hibbins MA DPS | Member appointed from elected members of Diocesan Synod |
Mr Chris Gill CPFA ACMA | Member appointed from elected members of Diocesan Synod |
Ms Julie Taylor BSc (Hons) MA MA MRTPI | Member appointed after consultation with Historic England |
Mr Edward Higgins BSc (Hons) MA | Member appointed after consultation with the Local Government Association |
Mr Andy Foster MA FSA | Member appointed after consultation with the National Amenity Societies |
The Revd Zoe Heming BA (Hons) MA | Accessibility (Diocesan Enabling All Adviser) |
Mr Bryan Martin BA DipArch RIBA AABC | Conservation architect |
Mr Adrian Mathias BA DipArch MA Cons RIBA AABC | Conservation architect |
Mr Steven Matthews BA (Hons) DipArch RIBA AABC | Conservation architect |
Mrs Candida Pino Dott. Arch. RIBA AABC | Conservation architect |
Mr Mark Stewart BA (Hons) DipArch RIBA SCA AABC | Conservation architect |
The Revd Dr David Isiorho BA MA PhD PGDip | Clergy member |
The Revd Andrew Lythall BSc BA MA | Clergy member |
Mr Nigel de Gaunt-Allcoat | DAC adviser* |
Mr Brough Skingley BSc | DAC adviser* |
Dr Andy Wigley BSc MA PCHE PhD FSA MCIfA | DAC adviser* |
Mr Peter Woollam MSc HND CEng MIET | DAC adviser* |
* These DAC members also fulfil the roles of DAC adviser listed below
Advisers
Advisers to the Lichfield DAC are also governed by schedule 2 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018, where the Diocesan Bishop may appoint suitably qualified persons to act as consultants to the Committee.
The Church Buildings Council (CBC) has published the following updated guidance (2022):
- A Brief Guide to the Role of DAC Advisers
- A Note for DAC Members and Advisers Regarding Conflicts of Interest
Functions of DAC advisers
In accordance with the CBC guide (above), the role of the DAC is to advise the Diocesan Chancellor on all matters relating to the care and conservation of churches. The primary role of DAC advisers is to give advice to the DAC on matters requiring particular specialist knowledge, to help it fulfil this role.
The adviser will advise the DAC on matters related to their specialist knowledge, and keep the DAC informed of aspects of applications and requests for advice that have direct bearing on their subject area. The DAC Secretary or Assistant DAC Secretary will be the usual conduit for channelling advice.
The adviser should avoid protracted discussions with the parish of a detailed technical nature (this is properly the role of a paid consultant).
Advisers may, if they think it appropriate, give informal advice to parishes in broad terms, but it is not part of their duties to draw up detailed schemes or to recommend a particular contractor for a project. Nor is it part of the DAC adviser's role to oversee projects.
Lichfield DAC advisers
Mrs Joanna Lawton BA PGDip (Hons) BArch RIBA CA | Architect Adviser* |
Mrs Anne Netherwood BArch BD RIBA CA | Architect Adviser* |
Mr Mark Parsons BA BArch RIBA AABC | Architect Adviser* |
Mr Geraint Roberts MA DipArch DipBldgCons (RICS) RIBA SCA | Architect Adviser* |
Mr Matt Faber BA (Hons) Arch PGDip Cons MCIAT | Architectural Adviser* |
Mr Andrew Baker | Heating Adviser |
Mr Peter Bemrose BSc (Hons) MSc CEng MIChemE | Heating Adviser |
Mr Malcolm Price BSc CEng MCIBSE (Retd) | Heating Adviser |
Mr Brough Skingley BSc | Lighting & Electrical Adviser; Audio-Visual Adviser (Lichfield & Salop Archdeaconries) |
The Revd Matt Malins | Audio-Visual Adviser (Stoke-upon-Trent Archdeaconry) |
The Revd Mark Wilson | Audio-Visual Adviser (Walsall Archdeaconry) |
Mr Peter Woollam MSc HND CEng MIET | Bell & Telecoms Adviser |
Mr Nigel de Gaunt-Allcoat | Organ Adviser |
Mr Jonathan Ansell | Clock Adviser |
Dr Andy Wigley BSc MA PCHE PhD FSA MCIfA | Archaeology Adviser |
Mr Andy Smith MArb CEnv MICFor FArborA | Tree Adviser |
Mr John Polhill BSc | Garden Adviser |
* These DAC advisers provide internal consultation advice to the DAC Secretariat and Archdeacons
Please note: Whilst the names and specialisations of individual members and advisers are given above, all requests for DAC advice must follow due process and be made through the DAC Secretary or Assistant DAC Secretary.