ONLINE FACULTY SYSTEM

NEWS

• USING THE ONLINE FACULTY SYSTEM - A VISUAL GUIDE: a series of short YouTube videos to help you navigate your way around the system (see below)
• FACULTY JURISDICTION (AMENDMENT) RULES 2022: as part of the Church of England's commitment to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2030, the faculty rules have been amended to help churches meet their carbon reduction targets. The new rules, which take effect on 1st July 2022, require churches to have due regard to the Church Buildings Council's advice on Net Zero Carbon for those proposals where it applies; that "net zero guidance" is set out here: FACULTY CHANGES (2022) AND KEY GUIDANCE The 'Practical Path to Net Zero Carbon for Churches' is included in that guidance and this must be given due regard for all proposals, as it provides the context to show that the proposal is part of a wider understanding by the parish of its route to net zero carbon. Most of the changes to Lists A and B will make it easier for churches to make adaptations such as insulating pipes, draft-proofing doors and windows, fitting new non fossil fuel boilers, electric pew heaters, electric car charging points and soft furnishings to help worshippers feel warm and comfortable, whilst the installation of like-for-like fossil fuel boilers and new oil tanks will now be subject to a full faculty application. [NOTE: churches are not prevented from having fossil fuel boilers, they simply need to be able to justify their installation in the light of the net zero guidance]. The new rules will also make it easier for churches to install wireless internet and broadband equipment. See below for the new Lists A and B.
• ADDITIONAL MATTERS ORDER - our new Chancellor, Lyndsey de Mestre KC, has issued an Additional Matters Order. The order, effective from 1st March 2023, provides for certain matters to be dealt with as if they were List B matters (requiring the Archdeacon's approval) rather than requiring a full faculty. For example, whereas the setting aside of an area in the churchyard for the burial of cremated remains or the creation of a community gardening project would have required a faculty petition, now you can start a List B application instead, selecting the option of "additional diocesan matter". The supporting information required will remain the same, but as there will be no Public Notice period, your application will be approved in days rather than weeks. A copy of the Order is at the bottom of this page.

DO WE NEED A FACULTY?

The Faculty Jurisdiction Rules are a single, comprehensive set of rules governing the faculty system nationwide and setting out those works which can be undertaken:

• without the need for any consultation ("List A" matters),
• with written approval from an Archdeacon ("List B" matters), and
• only under a faculty issued by the Chancellor.

List A and List B matters are generally items of maintenance, minor repairs, and some works to trees and bells. However, certain specific conditions must still be complied with to ensure best practice and high quality, and permission given by List A, List B or Faculty does not remove the need to consider any additional planning requirements which may be appropriate in some circumstances (eg Tree Preservation Orders, planning permission). So, to decide which applies to the works you are planning to carry out at your church, follow this 3-step process:

Step 1: Look carefully at List A. If the works you propose match exactly with a List A item, then you do not need any formal consent to carry them out (but take note of any specified conditions). If they do not, then...

Step 2: Look carefully at List B. If the works you propose match exactly with a List B item, or if they fall within the scope of the Additional Matters Order made by the Chancellor (see below) then you will need written approval from your Archdeacon to carry them out (subject to any conditions which are specified, or imposed by your Archdeacon). If they do not, then...

Step 3: Works which are outside the scope of List A or List B need a Faculty; see the Faculty Flowchart below for an overview of the process.

The Chancellor may authorise urgent works on the authority of an Interim Faculty; see the Practice Direction below.

Use of the online faculty system is compulsory; paper submissions are no longer accepted. If you have not already done so, your PCC should nominate someone who can register as an Applicant to use the system and submit applications on their behalf. Click here for Online Faculty System.

The guidance provided within the system (under the 'Help' tab) is comprehensive - the manuals contain clear instructions and screenshots, and the system is quite intuitive - but anyone experiencing difficulty should contact the DAC Secretary, Catherine Copp, on 01904 699522 (or email: catherine.copp@yorkdiocese.org). You will find it helpful to watch the videos in the 'Using the Online Faculty System - A visual guide' section.

If your application includes works to lighting, power or heating, please make sure that your contractor completes the Electrical Declaration form (below) and that you include the completed form with your List B or faculty application.

If you need advice on a major project affecting your building, particularly if it is Listed, please contact the Church Buildings Adviser, Keith Halliday (keith.halliday@yorkdiocese.org).

[Page updated: 1st March 2023]