Inspection of Churches Measure
Our churches are a precious heritage, valued by the Christian fellowship as places of worship, and by the wider community for their history and architecture. Their careful maintenance and proper use is appropriate and a legal obligation to be discharged by churchwardens and PCCs. Long ago the church developed the system of five yearly inspections, known as Quinquennial Inspection as an aid to the care of its buildings.
The current law relating to churches is the Inspection of Churches Measure 1955 as amended by the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991 (CCEJM). The Durham Diocesan Scheme under these measures was revised in 1993 and is as follows:
The Measure requires diocese to draw up schemes whereby every church is inspected and reported upon by an approved inspector every five years.
The Diocesan Scheme shall apply to:
- Parish churches
- Consecrated churches in the care of Parochial Church Councils
- Conventional district churches
- Any church nominated by the Archdeacon of the relevant Archdeaconry
- Churches licensed for worship after 1st March 1993.
Appointment of the Inspector
The responsibility for appointing an inspector is that of the PCC, but each appointment must have the prior approval of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). Nominations should therefore be sent to the DAC Secretary, in time to be entered on the Committee’s Agenda (normally two weeks before the date of the meeting).
In the case of churches of historic or architectural interest, the DAC will expect the inspector to have some experience in conservation works, or be willing to work with a consultant in that field.
Each appointment will be with an individual inspector and not a partnership or consortium.
Changing the Inspector
When an inspector resigns, retires or dies, or if a PCC terminates his services after informing him in writing, the PCC shall make a new appointment, after consultations with the DAC, and a fresh application to the DAC. The appointment can not be claimed as of right by another partner.
Initiating an Inspection
The inspection will be arranged in rotation by an administrative officer appointed by the Archdeacons. The officer shall inform the PCC Secretary when an inspection is due. The PCC is to arrange with the approved inspector for the survey to be carried out. The inspection may only be made by the approved inspector: no substitute is to be accepted.
The fee for the inspection is to be agreed between the PCC and the inspector before the survey is made. The DAC will advise on a recommended average fee at the start of each year. This will be notified to the PCC when notice is given that an inspection is due, but it is intended to be a guide figure only – it is not a set fee.
Engagement Terms and Fee
The terms of appointment and the fee for the inspection are to be negotiated on the basis of the Conditions of Engagement of the Royal Institute of British Architects as interpreted in ‘Church Inspection and Repair’ (RIBA Publications Ltd). The CCEJM of 1991 permits the Inspection to be carried out by a Chartered Surveyor (Building), or a Registered Architect. Where a Chartered Surveyor is appointed and approved, similar terms will apply. Advice can be obtained from RICS, 12 Great George Street, Parliament Square, London, SW1P 3AD.
Preparation for the Inspection
The inspector is to advise the parish of the date of the inspection giving reasonable notice. If the inspector considers the inspection cannot be carried out without the use of ladders and someone to set them in position, he should inform the parish of this when arranging the date of the inspection. The parish should see that the church logbook (required under Canon F13) containing previous reports is available at the time of the inspection.
Contents of the Report
The following matters should be covered in the report: Structural condition, walls, tower, bells, clocks, roofs, guttering, rainwater disposal, drainage, external and internal decorations, floors and galleries, ventilation, glazing, glazing protection, electrical system, lightening conductor, floodlighting, heating, insulation, fire protection, furnishings, organs, churchyard trees, monuments, boundary walls, paths and gates, environmental situation and any matter requiring further investigation.
The report must make special mention of any moveable article of outstanding architectural, aesthetic, historical or archaeological, or monetary value, or at special risk, which has been so nominated by the Archdeacon.
The report should also include any ruin in the churchyard, which has been designated as of value by the Council of British Archaeology or Royal Commission for Historic Monuments in England.
Trees in churchyards, which are subject to Tree Preservation Orders or trees in any churchyard, which is in a Conservation Area, should be particularly mentioned.
Order of Priority
The report is to include a summary indicating an order of priority according to the following scheme:
- of utmost urgency
- essential within the next six to eighteen months
- necessary within the quinquennium
- ultimately desirable
Distribution of the Report
Copies of the report shall be distributed by the inspector as follows:
- To the PCC Secretary – 2 copies, for the use of the PCC and the Incumbent
- To The Administrative Officer – one hard copy plus and electronic copy, or 3 copies, to be distributed to the Archdeacon, Area Dean, Diocesan Care of Churches Secretary
Failure to Inspect
If at any time or for any cause a church has not been inspected for six years, the Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry shall take action as provided in Section 2 of the Measure, by serving notice in writing on the PCC to cause the church to be inspected and reported upon in accordance with the scheme.
If the church has not been inspected three months after serving of such notice, the Archdeacon with the consent of the Bishop, shall himself make arrangements for the inspection and report.
Any question concerning the interpretation of the scheme shall be decided by the Archdeacon concerned.
No alteration may be made to this scheme except by Resolution of the Diocesan Synod.
The Administrative Officer currently responsible for the administration of the Scheme is:
Diocesan Care of Churches Secretary
Diocesan Office
Auckland Castle
Bishop Auckland
DL14 7QJ
Tel: 01388 660001
E-mail: Churches@durham.anglican.org
click here to download pdf Quinquennial Inspection reports
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