The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)
The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC) provides advice to the Chancellor of the Diocese and Archdeacons on the suitability of proposals for Faculty or List B permission. The advice offered by the DAC is based on long experience, diverse expertise and careful attention to the particular proposals put forward, whilst taking into account the mission and ministry issues raised. While they have a key role in the permissions process, they are not a decision making body.
The Committee calls upon a range of experts and consultants who offer their skills on a voluntary basis. It also includes the four Archdeacons, one Synod clergy member, one Synod lay member, the Diocesan Archaeological Adviser, nominees for Historic England, the National Amenity Societies and the local authorities.
DAC Members and Consultants list
Advice for parishes
The DAC give free advice to parishes about proposals for work to their church building, its furnishings and fittings. If you would like a visit from a DAC adviser to talk through a proposal (this is known as ‘informal advice’), please contact the Church Buildings Office. We encourage parishes to seek early advice from the DAC on proposals for reordering or alteration. In these cases, it can also be a good idea to have early feedback from consultees such as the Church Buildings Council or Historic England – the Church Buildings Office can advise.
Written reports are provided following a visit. These usually take 2-3 weeks to process, as they have to be agreed by the full Committee before being sent to the parish.
Preparing for a DAC visit
It is worth noting that as DAC members are volunteers, it can take some time to organise a visit. A Church Buildings Officer will usually attend alongside the DAC adviser. For reordering proposals, your Archdeacon will often attend.
It is useful for the parish to have the following information available, or to have started to consider the following, prior to a visit:
- Statements of Significance and Need.
- Options or preferred proposal. Sketch plans can be helpful.
- Any particular questions they have for the adviser or Committee.
DAC meeting dates
The Committee consider Faculty applications at one of their regular meetings. Applications to be considered by the Committee must be submitted a minimum of 21 days before the meeting date.
2026 meeting date |
Will consider |
| 6 February 2026 | Applications made before 16 January 2026 |
| 10 April 2026 | Applications made before 20 March 2026 |
| 1 June 2026 | Applications made before 11 May 2026 |
| 17 July 2026 | Applications made before 19 June 2026 |
| 5 October 2026 | Applications made before 14 September 2026 |
| 11 December 2026 | Applications made before 20 November 2026 |
Between each meeting, the DAC sub-committee will deal with small, straight forward applications and requests which are received between deadline dates, or to deal with simple matters arising from the previous meeting. Once your application has been received, you will be notified by one of the Church Buildings Officers when it is to be considered by the Committee.
DAC annual report
Each year, the DAC makes a report of its work to Diocesan Synod. The current report can be accessed below.
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