Buildings and Land

The Property Services Department, under the guidance of Property Services Manager Graham Davies, is responsible for clergy housing and glebe land, provides advice on the maintenance of churches, supports the Governing Bodies of VA Church Schools on building matters and acts on behalf of EDBF Ltd in relation to PCC Property.

Below you will find information on each of these areas as well as contact details for further advice.

Churches and Churchyards

The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC) helps congregations to manage their buildings so that they provide a safe and welcoming environment for worship and mission.

Further information about the DAC

Clergy Housing

Clergy houses are not just bases for ministry, they are homes. The Property Services department is responsible for the maintenance, repair and improvement of over 300 houses within the diocese and, where necessary arranges for the sale and replacement of houses no longer suitable.

Three surveyors, two working within the department based in Exeter and one external consultant based in North Devon, share the work of maintaining these properties.

Exeter Archdeaconry - Mark Lewis

Plymouth Archdeaconry – Peter Stanton

Totness Archdeaconry – shared responsibility between Mark and Peter

Barnstaple Archdeaconry – Richard Smith.

Housing Policy Information

In the event of a problem at a clergy house please contact the Property Services Department on 01392 294954. The phone call will be re-directed outside of normal working hours.

The department has a list of approved Contractors. If you wish to be considered for inclusion on this list please contact Mark Lewis.

Glebe Land

The glebe land of a parish once belonged, by right of his office, to the incumbent of that parish as part of his support. He could either use the land himself or let it out and use the rental income. The Endowment and Glebe Measure 1976 changed that and the income raised on this land now goes to the Diocesan Board of Finance and is used to help pay clergy stipends across the diocese.

The management of glebe is undertaken by external agents with the Property Services Department working closely with them in strategic glebe matters.

Enquiries relating to glebe land

PCC Property

Under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 PCCs cannot own property or land. Instead the property is vested in the Exeter Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd as custodian trustee with the PCC being managing trustee. The custodian trustee needs to consent to any disposal or sale, and for further information please see the link below:

Procedure for disposal or sale

The EDBF as custodian trustee is not responsible for or concerned with the upkeep of buildings – this is the responsibility of the PCC as managing trustee.

School Buildings

The condition of the learning environment can make a huge difference to a child’s experience of school and how well they learn. The schools buildings team provides support to the 60 VA schools in the diocese regarding all matters involving premises.

Further information about School Buildings and the School Buildings Team

Contact

Property Services Department
The Old Deanery
Exeter
EX1 1HS
Telephone: 01392 294954
Email Property Services

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