De Minimis
De Minimis = Matters not Requiring Faculty
The following details describe matters relating to Churches which the Chancellor has directed can be carried out without a Faculty, some with the Archdeacon’s permission, and some without.
Certain items require the consent of the Archdeacon and/or Diocesan Advisory Committee Agreement (see A1, A2, A3 and A4; B2 and G2 below). In all these* cases full details specifying the work and its cost must be sent to the D.A.C. Secretary together with a written assurance that the Parochial Church Council has agreed to carry out the proposed work, before the work is done. If approved, the Archdeacon will then send a letter confirming the approval for the work to be done. If you are in doubt about any matter you should consult your Archdeacon or the Diocesan Registrar.
A MINOR REPAIRS These six items * go to the DAC secretary first.
* A1. Works of minor repair identified as such in the Quinquennial Inspection Report provided that the specification has first been agreed by the Diocesan Advisory Committee.
* A2. Works of routine maintenance on the fabric of the Church (not materially altering its appearance) up to the value of £3,000.00 excluding VAT and the cost of scaffolding, providing that the Archdeacon has been notified and has given his approval in writing for work costing between £1,000.00 and £3,000.00, before the contract to carry out the work is entered into. This work includes, for example, replacement like for like of broken roof tiles or slates or window glass; cleaning gutters or downpipes; and treating isolated beetle or fungal activity (except in areas where bats may be affected) It does not include repairs to broken or cracked quarries in historic stained glass, historic clear glazed windows or historic tiled floors.
* A3. Works of routine maintenance to heating systems, gas, water or other services, electrical fittings or other electrical equipment (by approved NICEIC or ECA electricians or CORGI registered fitters) up to the value of £2,500.00 excluding VAT. No addition to an electrical system is to be made without a faculty because of the risk of jeopardizing the Church’s Insurance Policy.
* A4. External or internal redecoration using the same colours and materials, providing those original colours and materials had been approved by faculty when first used.
* B2. Replacement of carpets or curtains with the equivalent or similar colour, material, pattern and type of backing. (The carpeting of additional areas is not included.)
* G2. Routine repair of paths including resurfacing in the same material and colour.
OTHER WORKS These can be done without ‘permission’ except where stated.
A5. Treatment of fixtures and furniture against beetle or fungal activity (Unless bats may be affected).
A6. Repair of flagpoles.
A7. Work to lightning conductors by approved ATLAS NICEIC or ECA contractors or steeplejacks.
A8. Repair of wire mesh window guards using non-ferrous materials.
B FURNITURE AND FIXTURES
No item may be disposed of unless the Archdeacon has been consulted and raises no objection and no work to historic furniture may be carried out without a Faculty
1. Introduction, maintenance, removal or disposal of:-
a. Furniture in Church Halls, but not items from the Church kept in the Hall.
b. Furniture, furnishings, office equipment and minor fixtures (excluding wall safes) in
vestries, but not so as to change the existing use of the room as a vestry.
c. Fire extinguishers (subject to Archdeacon’s instructions as to location and method of
fixing).
d. Hymn boards (subject to Archdeacon’s instructions).
e. Internal notice boards (subject to Archdeacon’s instructions).
f. Small movable bookcases or display stands.
3. Additions in an existing style to name boards (excluding war memorials).
4. The use of a security system recommended by Insurers for marking moveable items kept in the Church.
C MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
1 Introduction, storage and removal of musical instruments and stands used by music groups.
2 Routine tuning, adjustments and small scale in situ repairs, using like for like methods and materials, by a qualified person, up to a value of £500.00 excluding VAT, for organs, harmoniums and pianos. This to preclude change or alteration of any kind, removal of items from the building for repair. All work must be completed within one working day.
3 Maintenance and repairs to pianos using matching materials.
D BELLS/CLOCKS
1. Inspection and routine maintenance of bells, bell frames, clocks and clock faces.
2. Replacement of damaged wooden bell stays and bell ropes.
E MOVABLES
No item may be disposed of unless the Archdeacon has been consulted and raises no objection
Introduction, removal, replacement or disposal of:-
1. Kneelers, hassocks and cushions (but not a substantial replacement of them).
2. Surplices, albs, cassocks, choir robes and vergers’ robes.
3. Cruets.
4. Vases.
5. Service books authorised by Canon.
6. Bibles, hymn books, song books and sheet or bound music (but not disposal of handbound or other valuable books).
7. Altar linen (but not frontals or falls).
8. Decorative flags and banners used for temporary displays.
9. The Union flag, St. George’s flat or the Diocesan flag.
F. EMERGENCY ITEMS OF WORK WHICH MAY BE AUTHORISED BY THE ARCHDEACON
1. Installation of security locks on doors and/or windows when the Archdeacon is satisfied that they are urgently required and the type of lock has been approved by him in writing.
2. Installation of security lighting or camera(s) on a temporary basis where there is urgent need to protect the building against burglary or vandalism pending the grant of a faculty for a permanent scheme provided the temporary arrangement is approved in writing by the Archdeacon and the Diocesan Registrar is notified by the Archdeacon that he has given his approval.
G CHURCHYARDS
1. Purchase and maintenance of lawnmowers and other churchyard equipment.
3. Repairs to and repainting in the same colour of a Notice Board.
4. Minor repairs to fences and gates (but not walls).
DISPENSATION IN OTHER CASES
Where the proposal is of a similarly minor nature, but does not appear in the above list, the Chancellor may be willing to dispense with a Faculty, sometimes subject to conditions such as consultation with the Diocesan Advisory Committee. The Chancellor’s decision will normally be based upon a letter, to be sent to the Registrar, giving all relevant information about the proposal.
GENERAL NOTES
1. 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.
2. Repairs, acquisitions and the disposal of articles in the list should be recorded in the Church log book.