Who's who?
The Inspecting Architect
The Inspecting Architect is appointed by the Churches and Pastoral Committee in consulation with the parish. An inspection is carried out every five years (the Quinquennial Inspection or QI) and is paid for by the diocese. This is an opportunity for the parish to ask questions about their building and the work they need to plan for. (The parish is then responsible for contracts and paying for actual work to the building.)
The Diocesan Churches and Pastoral Committee
The Diocesan Churches and Pastoral Committee is responsible for considering the pastoral need for church buildings and for awarding grants for the repair of churches and boundary walls.
The Diocesan grant-funding advisor
For help with project planning for grant applications contact Sharon Smith.
The Diocese has also subscribed to Grantfinder.
The Diocesan Advisory Committee
The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) is responsible for advising the Chancellor and parishes on matters relating to the fabric and fittings of church buildings. Members are drawn from a range of disciplines including architecture, conservation, structural engineering, history, fine arts and liturgy. All have a wealth of professional experience and give their time voluntarily to the diocese. Both Archdeacons are members of the committee and give valuable pastoral insight.
The Chancellor
The Chancellor decides whether or not a faculty is issued.
The Registrar
The Registrar advises on legal aspects of faculty petitions and checks that the paperwork is in order.
The Representative Body of the Church in Wales (RB)
All church buildings are vested in (owned by) the Representative Body of the Church in Wales. Any proposals to dispose of contents of a church, to demolish or add to church buildings, or to set aside areas for the interment of cremated remains, have to be referred to the RB.
The RB may also give grants for certain work and has a helpful set of guidance notes relating to church buildings and their use..
Amenity bodies
‘Ecclesiastical Exemption’ from the secular listed building consent process allows the Church in Wales to administer listed building consent by way of the faculty system. The DAC secretary will notify amenity bodies such as Cadw, Victorian Society, Georgian Group of petitions relating to listed churches, and they have the right to comment.
Local Authority
Some proposals will also need planning permission from the local authority.