Coventry DAC ANNUAL REPORT 2014

Transcription

1 Coventry DAC ANNUAL REPORT WAS A BUSY YEAR for the DAC with many churches exploring ways of improving the facilities in their buildings as well as undertaking the usual necessary repair and maintenance. Towards the end of May, Claire Strachan began maternity leave, which she will continue until some way into Will Jones took on the role of Acting Church Buildings Development Officer and DAC Secretary, alongside his other Shilton church with recently completed porch extension roles, in Claire s absence under the line management of Steve Davenport, Director of Operations. We welcomed Stephen Wigmore as Administration Assistant (maternity cover, half time) to assist Will and under his supervision. Steve Davenport has continued to oversee the development and improvement of the administration and processes of the department. Overall the workload was steady with busy periods. Over the year we held eight DAC meetings, for which many documents were circulated and images projected to aid consideration of the issues at hand. However, much of the work of the DAC goes on outside the meetings, through members considering in detail the applications referred to them, and through site visits to churches to consider applications in situ with all interested parties present. The DAC in numbers Applications received for DAC Notification of Advice (formerly DAC Certificate) Applications received for Minor/Routine Works TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW APPLICATIONS Site Visits by Secretary/Committee Total Number of Notifications/Certificates issued Recommendation No Objection No Recommendation Coventry DAC is very blessed with many highly capable members and advisers, who give their time and expertise freely to help parishes with their development and maintenance projects. The committee has a longstanding policy of encouraging early consultation on larger and more Coventry DAC Annual Report 2014

2 complex projects, and this continues to prove its benefits as PCCs have their ideas shaped through the advice of specialists, and the various interested parties are brought to one mind on what is best for the church, its mission and maintenance. In August, by way of thank you to committee members, we held our annual DAC tour of churches. This year we visited six churches in Fosse Deanery (Alveston, Charlecote, Hampton Lucy, Newbold Pacey, Chesterton, Harbury) where new projects have been completed over the last few years. The improved website, launched in 2013, continues to be a valuable resource for parishes throughout the diocese. The DAC pages are now fully up to date, Claire having completed the revision of all DAC guidance notes prior to her departure on maternity leave. The transition to the new Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2013, which came into force on 1 st January 2014, was smooth and trouble free. The newly overhauled database came into action in January and has proven a valuable administrative tool. Claire conducted a survey of PCCs about the DAC in the spring, and her report setting out the results is included with this report. The online faculty system continues its development and testing ahead of being rolled out to wider availability later in Coventry watches these developments with interest but is yet to consider whether and when it will move over to an online system. A selection of cases Atherstone, St Mary A site visit to the church in 2014 at the invitation of the PCC found unanimous approval from the DAC, English Heritage and SPAB for plans to re order the church and install new meeting spaces, WC and catering facilities, as well as address longstanding damp problems and heating issues. The proposals, which include removing almost all the pews, were felt to be just what the church needs to widen its usage in the community and make it fit for a long term future as a place of worship and community engagement. Atherstone: ambitious re ordering plans met with enthusiasm Coventry DAC Annual Report 2014

3 Stratford upon Avon, Holy Trinity A controversial application to undertake GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) scanning beneath William Shakespeare s chancelsited ledger stone had obtained DAC and faculty approval in In 2014 the provisional results were sent to the DAC, along with a request to extend the faculty permission to cover a wider area and use a more powerful and more focused piece of The Bard s curse: But is he there? scanning equipment. The investigation, initiated and funded by Arrow Media with the aim of producing a television documentary based on the findings, found compelling evidence which suggests the presence of individual graves of members of the Shakespeare family including William beneath or partially beneath their ledger stones, though no evidence for a single family vault. Additionally, an application to undertake conservation work on the ledger stone, based on the findings of the investigation, received DAC approval this year. Radway, St Peter The 1642 battle of Edge Hill, the first major clash of the English Civil War, is to have a dedicated permanent exhibition for the first time, after St Peter s church obtained both faculty and funding for such an installation in the nave. The faculty application, which received DAC approval this year, also includes installing a composting WC in a wooden outhouse in the churchyard, and automatic door locking on the church to achieve the desired combination of access and security. Radway: Proposed site of new WC DAC Membership In 2014 our archivist, Monica Ory, retired. Dr Richard Morris, our stained glass adviser, sadly died from cancer very early in On his death, DAC Chairman Richard Williams wrote: Richard joined the DAC in 1978 as an adviser on historical art and stained glass. He also had a great deal of expertise in the area of medieval stonework and his help to the Committee has been incalculable. He had a deep knowledge of his subject but was well informed on a wide variety of topics which was always useful in committee and on the many site visits he attended on behalf of the committee. He was always a gentleman and would try to see both sides of an argument and was sympathetic to the challenges faced by many of our church people as they struggle to maintain and improve historic buildings. He will be much missed by us all. Coventry DAC Annual Report 2014

4 We were joined by Chris Baker as the second of two Diocesan Synod representatives, and two new architect members, Simon Bird and Mark Stewart, appointed following a renewed application and interview process. Mark Stewart has also been approved as our Amenity Societies representative. The membership of the Coventry Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches, as at January 2015, is: Chairman: The Revd Canon Richard Williams Members of the Committee The Ven John Green Mr Nigel Allcoat Mr Chris Baker Dr Colin Bemrose Mr Simon Bird Dr Charles Brown Mr Keith Chambers The Revd Graham Coles Mr Mark Evans Dr Heather Loosemore Mr David Lowe Mr Nicholas Molyneux Mr Jonathan Parkhouse Mr Nick Reading Mr Brough Skingley Mr Mark Stewart The Revd Peter Walker Advisors Mr Paul Platt Mr Dudley Simpson Dr Linda Monckton Archdeacon Pastor Organs (Pipe) Diocesan Synod Heating Architect Architect Bells Adviser Incumbent and heating Architect Lighting and Electrical Adviser Ecological Adviser English Heritage Representative Archaeological Adviser Architect Electrical and Lighting Adviser Architect and Amenity Societies representative Incumbent and Diocesan Synod representative Clocks Sound/AV Systems Twentieth Century Churches/Interiors Diocesan Staff Church Buildings Development Officer DAC Administration Officer/Acting DAC Secretary Administration Assistant (maternity cover) Director of Operations Dr Claire Strachan Dr Will Jones Mr Stephen Wigmore Mr Steve Davenport Current Vacancies Stained Glass adviser Local Authority representative The Revd Canon Richard Williams Chairman, Coventry DAC January 2015 Coventry DAC Annual Report 2014

5 DAC Survey 2014 The DAC survey was ed to all Churchwardens and PCC Secretaries, and advertised on the Coventry Diocese e bulletin on 13 th March Parishes were given five weeks to complete the survey and submit it to the DAC office (deadline 21 st April 2014). 12 responses were received. (The small number of responses makes it difficult to determine whether the results and feedback submitted are representative of parishes across the Diocese.) The survey was split into four sections: The DAC/Church buildings web pages Training and resources Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2013 General Feedback 1. The DAC/Church buildings web pages Out of the response received all except 1 of the 12 parishes who responded were aware of the new DAC/Church Buildings website. Parishes were asked to rate the following statements about the new webpages between Very True, True, OK, and Not True: 6 Statements regarding the new web pages Number of responses VERY TRUE TRUE OK NOT TRUE Rating of statement Easy to navigate around Clear and concise Has the right level of information Downloading the documents was easy When asked for further general comments on the web pages the following were received: A helpful resource for all parishes, regardless of size They are excellent and easy to use

6 The above ratings { very true } are in general it remains to be seen how the information covers a specific need Well done and better than what we faced previously. It can be concluded from these results that the redesign of the DAC/Church Buildings has been successful on the whole, and has been a welcome revision for parishes. 2. Training and Resources Out of the 12 responses received, 10 parishes responded to say that they felt additional training with regard to church building and churchyard issues would be beneficial (83%). Those 10 parishes also stated they would be interested in attending training sessions on topics of interest to them 7 out of 11 parishes stated they would be interested in attending a DAC meeting to gain an awareness of the process would be of interest to them. 1 declined to answer this question. The most popular suggested areas for training were maintenance and repairs, developing your church buildings, and the role of the amenity societies, closely followed by Statements of Significance and Need, and Quinquennial Inspections. Areas of training Subject of training Maintenance and repairs Developing your church buildings The role of the Amenity Societies Statements of Significance and Need Churchyard issues (memorials/trees etc) Quinquennial Inspections Minor Items/Routine Works The Faculty process Faculty applications Number of responses When asked whether there were any other areas in which parishes felt they would benefit from additional training in one topic was mentioned: Fundraising and available sources of grants.

7 This is a complex area and in depth training cannot currently be provided by the staff in the DAC Office (particularly with regards to fundraising, and also with regards to the grant application process) although they appreciate that this is an area of significant concern for parishes. This was once something that Divine Inspiration would have covered. A broad overview on sources of funding can be found on the DAC pages of the Diocesan website. When asked whether there were any areas or topics which would benefit from additional DAC Guidance Notes two topics were mentioned: 1. Maintenance of church electrical systems 2. Church heating With regards to each of these topics, the DAC currently direct parishes to the Churchcare guidance and these guidance notes are available on the DAC pages of the website. These guidance notes are thorough and have been compiled by national experts, therefore it is suggested that producing additional guidance notes on the subjects would be reinventing the wheel, unless specific areas that have not been covered are identified. From the results of this section I would suggest that: Training sessions are planned for certainly the most popular suggested topics, save for the role of the amenity societies which could be incorporated into sessions on other topics (e.g. developing your church building, maintenance and repairs and the faculty process). It could also be clarified on the website. The feasibility of inviting one or two observers to each meeting should be discussed with the DAC Chairman and Archdeacon Consideration should be given to providing additional training on sources of funding, fundraising and applying for grants from trainers with extensive knowledge in this area (e.g. Worcester and Hereford Dioceses have officers who could potentially do this in Andrew Mottram, or Wendy Coombes). 3. Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2013 Out of the 12 responses received, 10 parishes responded to say that they had received a copy of the new Guidance Note on the FJR2013 (83%); copies have been ed to the 2 that stated that they had not. Will the FJR2013 improve the process for applying for Faculties? Don't know 9% No 0% Yes 91%

8 4. General Feedback Out of the 12 responses received, 9 parishes responded to say that they had contacted the DAC office in the last 12 months (75%). With reference to the service they received the responses they gave in various areas were: VERY TRUE TRUE OK My enquiry was dealt with quickly 7 1 The response was courteous 8 1 The response was helpful My next action (if any) was clear 6 2 NOT TRUE Out of the 12 responses received, 6 parishes responded to say that they had submitted a Faculty application in the last 12 months (50%). With reference to the process that they were required to undertake the responses they gave in various areas were: VERY TRUE TRUE OK My application went to the next available DAC meeting 6 The process was easy to follow 5 1 I was aware of the deadlines for submitting applications by 6 I received helpful feedback 5 1 My next action (if any) was clear 6 The process was quick (in light of the 6 week meeting cycle) NOT TRUE These results would imply that, on the whole, the service provided by the DAC was helpful, courteous and quick. The faculty process itself was not rated too badly either, however the statement which received the least positive feedback was that which related to the speed of the process. Out of the 12 responses received, 4 parishes responded to say that they had had a site visit from the DAC in the last 12 months (33%). With reference to statements regarding the organisation, execution and follow up to the site visits the responses were: VERY TRUE TRUE OK The site visit was arranged quickly Relevant DAC members attended 3 1 The visit was friendly and helpful 3 1 I received a report summarising the discussion 3 1 My next action (if any) was clear NOT TRUE

9 Primary concern with these results is over the lack of receipt of a report of a discussion, and clarity over the next steps/actions. This is the normal outcome of any site visit, if not in the form of a formal report then in a follow up . From the results of this section I would suggest that: The DAC Office should attempt to be more clear on next actions or steps for PCCs to undertake, particularly following site visits and telephone enquiries reports or follow up s should be sent in every case. The speed in which site visits are arranged and undertaken largely depends on the availability of the secretariat and DAC members and advisers, and amenity society representatives if required, and therefore it would be difficult to improve on this. 5. General Comments Those who filled in the survey were given the opportunity to make any general comments about the process. The comments received were: Whilst very small parishes will do their best, full compliance in all aspects with DAC Recommendations/regulations is stretching their capability in terms of people, available time and finance. Those volunteers who attempt to administer the needs of small rural parish churches are few in number and mostly past retirement age and not being replaced frequently by younger and more energetic persons Claire is a helpful resource and an invaluable advisor, thank you As a member of DCC, PCC and Deanery Synod I do feel included in the consultations undertaken by our churchwardens. However, I feel this is a questionnaire mainly for churchwardens. That said, I am very interested in the work of the DAC and would welcome an opportunity to see an overview of the work carried out by your office Our church is facing the need for 150k plus of renovation work on what is a Grade I listed building. We are investigating ways and means to find this and have an excellent architect to help us. With a parish population of less than 100 and few resources, and an average attendance of 7 people at our twice monthly services, there are doubts about the wisdom and viability of make such a large investment in terms of time and cost on a church that faces a future that may not be considered viable by everyone. We are fortunate in having a number of extremely capable and experienced persons in the PCC, who have the capacity to handle such things, but whether such a major effort is in keeping with the way things stand at present with respect to our church is another matter. These circumstances need to be considered at Diocesan level