We need to make sure our buildings are fit for purpose and meet statutory requirements. Ministry units as guardians of church property, the General Trust Board as overall trustee, and the Diocesan Council as governing body of the diocese all have a part to play.
If your ministry unit is considering an upgrade or a new building project, please contact your archdeacon in the first instance. For all other property related matters email
Church projects of all shapes and sizes are covered by the Building Projects and Faculties Form. This sets out the process to be followed and the approvals to be obtained for everything from basic maintenance to large-scale renovations, new builds, new signage and buying furniture.
Building Projects and Faculties Form – complete this form if your ministry unit has a building project or needs a faculty.
Endorsement form – this needs to be signed by the minister in charge, the chair or representative of the governing body plus the churchwardens, and included as part of the Building Projects and Faculties submission.
List of Faculties – gives examples of the kind of work which requires a faculty, whether to do with building, installation, removal, equipment, or furniture.
Checklist – will help you complete the Building Projects and Faculties Form but does not need to be submitted with it.
You’re encouraged to consult early with your archdeacon about your project plans. Your archdeacon also needs to provide a letter of support if you are applying for a faculty. Other support is available from the Diocesan Office, especially if you are in the concept planning stage.
The diocese’s Earthquake Policy aims to reduce the potential for injury, loss of life, or damage to the property of others in the event of an earthquake. It outlines the responsibilities of ministry units as guardians of church property, the General Trust Board as overall trustee, and the Diocesan Council as governing body of the diocese.
Having a checklist of simple maintenance tasks that you carry out regularly will help you avoid costly reactive repairs. If your ministry unit does not have a plan and/or you would like more information, please contact the Diocesan Office at for a copy of the basic template to help your ministry unit start its own plan.
New Healthy Homes standards were introduced by the Government in 2019 for all rental homes. This means ministry unit governing bodies are responsible for providing healthy homes for tenants and suitable housing for clergy.
Read the Healthy Homes informationRead the Suitable Housing Policy