DAC Guidance Summary of Chancellor's Guidance as to Matters not requiring a Faculty : the De Minimis list 2011 This is a concise summary, for parish use, of the full text of the Chancellor's Guidance available for inspection at the Diocesan Registry. General note: it should be made clear that, except for general annual servicing tasks, all of the items require the Archdeacon’s prior authority and that the Archdeacon will advise as to the need to involve the church architect in each case.
1. Minor repairs Works of routine maintenance and minor repairs, including re-decorations, on the fabric of the church (not materially altering its appearance) up to the value of £7,500 excluding VAT and the cost of scaffolding. Works of routine maintenance to heating systems, gas, water or other services, electrical fittings or other electrical equipment (by approved NICEIC/ ECA/ NAPIT electricians or Gas Safe registered fitters) up to the value of £7,500 excluding VAT. (Any alteration or addition to a service installation requires a faculty). Treatment of fixtures and furniture against beetle or fungal activity (unless bats may be affected). Repair of flagpoles. Work to lightning conductors by approved NICEIC or ECA or NAPIT contractors Repair or replacement of wire mesh window guards using stainless steel materials. (Additional window guards require a faculty)
2. Furniture and Fixtures No item may be disposed of unless the Archdeacon has been consulted Introduction, removal or disposal of furniture in church halls; furniture, furnishings, office equipment and minor fixtures (excluding wall safes) in vestries; fire extinguishers; hymn boards; internal notice boards; small moveable bookcases or display stands Replacement with equivalent of curtains, and of carpets on felt underlays, originally introduced by faculty. Additions in an existing style to name boards.
The use of a security system recommended by insurers for marking moveable items kept in the Church. The installation , replacement or modification of an audio loop system under the direction of the church architect regarding wiring routes and providing no alteration is made to the electricity supply or existing power circuits.
3. Musical Instruments Introduction, storage or removal of portable musical instruments and stands used by music groups. Routine maintenance, tuning and adjustment, by a competent person, of organs, harmoniums and pianos.
4. Bells/clocks Inspection and routine maintenance of bells, bell frames, clocks and clock faces Replacement of wooden bell stays, bell ropes and chiming cords Re-bushing of bell clappers Replacement or refurbishment of pulley boxes
5. Moveables No item, which appears on a current and comprehensive inventory or terrier may be replaced or disposed of unless the Archdeacon has been consulted and raises no objection. Introduction, removal, replacement or disposal of: Kneelers, hassocks and cushions (but not a substantial replacement of hassocks) Surplices, albs, cassocks, choir robes and vergers' robes Cruets Vases Service books authorised by Canon Bibles, hymn books, song books and sheet or bound music (but not disposal of handbound or other valuable books) Altar linen (but not frontals or falls) Decorative flags and banners used for temporary displays The Union flag, St George's flag or the diocesan flag
6. Emergency items of work which may be authorised by the Archdeacon Installation of security locks on doors and / or windows when the Archdeacon is satisfied that they are urgently required and the type of lock and installation have been approved by the church architect. Installation of security lighting, closed circuit television or cameras. (External installations may require planning consents)
7. Churchyards Purchase and maintenance of lawnmowers and other churchyard equipment Routine repair of paths including resurfacing in the same material and colour Repairs to and repainting in the same colour of a notice board Minor repairs to fences and gates (but not walls)
8. Dispensation in other cases Where the proposal is of a similarly minor nature, but does not appear in the above list, the Archdeacon may be able to authorise the work without the need for a faculty, sometimes subject to conditions such as consultation with the DAC A faculty is not required for the deposit of parochial registers or other parochial records in the diocesan record office, nor for the obtaining of new registers Timothy Briden, Chancellor November 2004 updated October 2006, January 2007, January 2008 and April 2011 May 2000 (amended March 2007)
