DAC and Faculties

Before making any changes or repairs to your church building its important to check whether permission is required.

The Online Faculty System has three options:

List A

These applications will cover routine maintenance or minor like-for-like repairs and require no formal permission to proceed, although both the DAC Secretary and the Diocesan Registrar are notified.

List B

These applications will cover straightforward works (e.g. replacing an existing boiler) that have little or no impact on the historic fabric of the church or churchyard. They are reviewed by a DAC member and require the permission of the Diocesan Registrar before they can proceed.

Full Faculty

These applications go to a DAC meeting where the application will be discussed and commented upon. If your church is a listed building the relevant Local Authority and the Amenity Societies are also consulted. Following the DAC meeting, the application moves to the Registrar for the next stage who in turn will submit it to the Chancellor for a final decision, all via the Online Faculty System.

To find out which option applies to you and to submit your application, log in to or register on the Online Faculty System (OFS) by clicking on the ENTER button below.

For a step-by-step guide to making a full faculty application as well as lots of other helpful documents, click the link in the Useful Resources section below where you'll also find a checklist of what to include and a video explaining the Faculty Application Process.

Finally, don't forget a Ministry Area Council (MAC) Resolution supporting the faculty application will be needed:

1. Churches have the option of either submitting a full set of MAC Minutes or the relevant extract in support of a faculty application.
2. In either case the Minutes must be signed, and must also refer to the fact that a resolution to apply for a faculty was put to the MAC and passed. It is not sufficient for the MAC just to have discussed the need for a faculty.
3. Upload the MAC Resolution to the ‘Supporting Documents’ section of the application.

If you are still unsure of anything or need help with the application then please contact Martyn Jones, our DAC Secretary.

07494 222688 martynjones@churchinwales.org.uk

Each diocese has a Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), which advises the Chancellor of the Diocese on faculty applications. The DAC includes members with expertise in particular areas relating to church buildings, such as architecture, organs, archaeology, etc. The DAC is always willing to give advice to parishes prior to their making applications for a faculty.

MEMBERS

• Mr Robert Evans (Chair) (Elected Member)
• The Ven Stella Bailey, Archdeacon of the Gwent Valleys
• The Ven Ian Rees, Archdeacon of Monmouth
• The Ven Jonathan Williams, Archdeacon of Newport
• The Very Rev'd Ian Black, Dean of St Woolos Cathedral
• Ms Ros Downs (Structural/Naval Engineer)
• Mr Eric Evans (Local History Advisor)
• Professor Ray Howell (Archaeology/Local History)
• Mr Michael Plageman (CADW Representative)
• Ms Hefina Rendle (Local Communities Advisor)
• Mr Ashley Rogers (Structural Engineer)
• Ms Laura Smith (Local Authority Representative)
• Dr Peter Webster (Archaeologist)

SPECIALIST ADVISORS

• Mr Andrew Bull (Bells Advisor)
• Mr Oliver Fairclough (Arts Advisor)
• Mr Tom Coxhead (Organs Advisor)
• Ms Rachel Howells (Artefact Conservation Advisor)
• Ms Judith Leigh (Stained Glass Advisor)

SECRETARY

• Mr Martyn Jones

LEGAL

• H H Judge Mark Powell KC (Chancellor of the Diocese)
• Mr Timothy Russen (Diocesan Registrar)

MEETINGS

Once your application has been submitted and checked to confirm that sufficient information has been provided, it will be sent to members 7 days prior to the meeting and then considered by the full DAC.

Below are the DAC meeting dates for 2024 with the corresponding deadline for submission of applications to be considered at each meeting.