Diocesan Advisory Committee
The function of the DAC is to give advice on all aspects of buildings including the architecture, archaeology, art and history of places of worship to the Diocesan Chancellor, the Archdeacons and parishes.
Although the DAC is a statutory body, with clearly-defined duties in law, the committee attempts in this Diocese to offer the parishes every possible help in developing plans for their church buildings and negotiating their way smoothly through the processes of application. Whilst having a keen eye on matters of conservation, as it is bound to do, the DAC has the priority of Christian mission firmly to the fore of its thinking. Experience over the last years has confirmed that the earlier communication and consultation begins between the DAC, a parish and other interested parties, the quicker and simpler the process will be and the greater the likelihood that all needs and concerns will be fully met. By early involvement we try to help parishes achieve the best schemes possible by bringing first-class professional knowledge, wide experience and the most comprehensive frames of reference to bear on each individual case.
Latest News
VAT on Repairs to Listed Buildings
The government announced in the budget last month their intentions to extend the standard 20% rate of VAT to alterations to listed places of worship (these are currently zero-rated for VAT). The Church of England's 12,500 listed cathedral and church buildings are almost entirely maintained by volunteers and voluntary giving. This change will penalise those churches who are currently altering their buildings to make them suitable for use by the wider community and the extra costs imposed will seriously threaten the continuation of such works.
The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Tony Baldry and the Chair of the Church Buildings Council (CBC), Anne Sloman have all written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer explaining the dismay at the serious impact the abolition of the VAT exemption on listed buildings will have on churches (see below). The most effective campaigning results from writing to your local MP with local examples. A draft letter is below and we would be grateful if you could adapt this to send to your local MP and/or the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Letter from the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, to the Chancellor
Letter from the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Tony Baldry, to the Chancellor
Letter from the Chair of the Church Buildings Council, Anne Sloman, to the Chancellor
Draft Letter to your local MP (and/or to the Chancellor) - amendable copy on request from the Diocesan Office
The CBC has also set up the following e-petition to put pressure on the Government to change their mind about the proposed imposition of VAT on alterations to Listed Places of Worship. Impact depends on speed, so please do sign up as soon as possible - http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32229. The Government consultation ends on 4 May so please sign before then.