Minor repairs (List B permission)

A range of maintenance and minor repairs can be carried out without Faculty permission. These are known as List A and B matters.

List A generally covers maintenance, carried out as part of the regular course of care of the building e.g. refixing slipped roof slates. These tasks do not require permission, but should be recorded in your log book.

List B generally covers minor repairs and small scale like for like replacement of items such as rainwater goods. These works require permission from your Archdeacon, who will ask the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) for advice on the suitability of proposals. Many List B matters will need input from your church architect or surveyor.

Applications for List B are made using the Online Faculty System. Support on using this is available from the Church Buildings Office. You, or your church architect, will need to provide relevant documents in support of your application. There is no fee payable for a List B application.

Click here for a full list of matters which may be undertaken without a Faculty (Lists A & B). The matters included in List A and B are set nationally, with the exception of List B ‘Additional Matters Orders’, which are locally determined. Archdeacons can decline to authorise List B works, even if they are included in the national list. They may consider that the work proposed does not fall within List B, or that it should be subject to the full Faculty procedures.

Work to monuments (inside or outside the church) or separately listed structures (such as churchyard walls and lychgates) always requires Faculty permission.

If your church is taking part in Eco Church, you may find it helpful to read our guide to Eco Church and Faculty Jurisdiction Rules, which covers the permissions needed for various activities in support of Eco Church designation (from refixing slipped slates to planting trees!).

Process

Supporting documents

The documents required will vary depending on the nature of the repair. However, it is essential to ensure that there is enough information for someone who is unfamiliar with your church to understand the ‘what, where, why?’ and impact of your proposal.

As a minimum, your application should include your chosen quote/specification for the work; evidence of PCC approval (e.g. meeting minutes); details of any equipment being installed; and photographs showing the area as existing. Additional documents will be needed for some applications, particularly those involving heating and/or electrical work.

A guide to the supporting documents required for applications

DAC guidance for List B or Faculty applications for pointing in the case of listed buildings: This sets out the process for making applications for this work, to ensure that pointing carried out is satisfactory in terms of appearance,m longevity and suitability for the individual characteristics of a historic building.

Involving your professional adviser

We are often asked what level of repair work should involve your church architect or surveyor. While not all minor repairs will require a specification from your architect, there are many cases where not involving them can be false economy.

Any List B work that would be costly to redo if it fails, and/or could result in damage to the church fabric, will ideally involve your church architect or surveyor. This includes: replacement lead valley gutters and roofs; large areas of repointing; replacement stonework; new cable runs for heating or lighting; and re-roofing.

The involvement of your professional adviser need not be expensive – you may find that they are happy to give advice on a quote or specification from a contractor over the phone or by email.

For information on Faculty permission, see here.