MINOR REPAIRS
Why can't PCCs simply get on with all minor repairs without any further bureaucracy? It's quite understandable that PCCs feel this way - and indeed in some cases this is the right and proper thing to do. But there are two problems: the first is that one PCC's 'minor' is 'major' to someone else, and the second is that even with some minor repairs there are technical issues to be addressed in the context of an old building which need specialist advice.
Technically, minor repairs are termed 'de minimis'. Some of these 'de minimis' matters can simply be put in hand at once by PCCs; others won't need a Faculty, but do need to be referred to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for just that - advice. Listed below are the items in each of these categories. It can be assumed that anything more substantial than items listed here will certainly need to be referred to the DAC, and may well need a Faculty.
These lists have not been compiled capriciously; every Diocese has a list like this compiled in accordance with the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 1992.
If you have a query over whether your particular project falls within either of these categories, please ring your Archdeacon for some initial advice before referring the matter formally.
SCHEDULE A – Very Minor Repairs
Items which may be undertaken by the incumbent, churchwardens and PCC without any further consultation (though in many cases it would be important to keep your architect informed):
- Routine cleaning and churchyard maintenance
- Regular servicing of:
- boilers and heating systems
- organs and other musical instruments
- clocks
- fire extinguishers
- Regular clearance of gutters, gullies and downpipes and rodding of drains
- Clearance of vegetation from drains, gullies, walls and roofs (including the minimal use of chemical sprays)
- Derusting and repainting with a suitable rustproof paint of ironwork to
- windows
- doors
- gates
- tanks
- bell frames
- weather vanes
- Painting, oiling or lime treatment of wooden doors or gates
- Repainting of notice boards (provided no alteration is made except for changing the name of an office holder or times of services)
- Repair of broken bell stays
- Replacement of broken roof tiles or slates
- Provision or replacement of bird netting
- Purchase of mowing equipment
- Introduction, replacement or disposal of
- clergy robes
- choir robes
- verger's robes
- Introduction, replacement or disposal of
- Bibles and Service Books
- Hymn Books and books of songs and choruses
- Choir music
- Purchase of new registers
- Deposit of closed registers and other parochial records in the County Record Office
SCHEDULE B – Fairly Minor Repairs
Items which must be referred to the Diocesan Advisory Committee, but which will probably not need a Faculty:
- Churchyards:
- Repairs to walls and fences (where there are no archaeological implications)
- Repairs to existing drains
- Minor fabric repairs:
- Small areas of lead burning
- Repairs to roofing felt
- Replacement of copings
- Renewal of flashings
- Renewal or replacement of flag poles or weather vanes
- Small areas of pointing
- Overhaul or replacement of gutters and downpipes
- Replacement of small areas of stone or brick (like-for-like)
- Lime treatment to areas of stone
- Small areas of plastering or rendering (where there are no archaeological implications)
- Overhaul of ventilators
- Replacement of broken window panes (except stained glass)
- Renewal of window guards
- Timber treatment
- Minor floor repairs (stone or pew platforms)
- Chimneys and flues
- Redecoration:
- Small areas of redecoration (less than the whole nave or the whole chancel, and provided that the same substance and colour are used as previously)
- Investigations:
- Timbers
- Parapet gutters
- Electrical systems
- Lightning conductors
- Settlement
- Archaeological features
- Bells:
- Minor repairs or refurbishment of bell clappers, frames or bearings
- Clocks:
- Minor repairs
- Carpentry:
- Repairs of louvres
- Modern doors and furnishings
- Electrical:
- Installation of
- security lights and alarms
- fire alarms and smoke detectors
- new electrical socket or light fitting (provided the existing capacity is
- sufficient)
- loop system
- removal of faulty lightning conductor
- replacement of heating pump
- Introduction or disposal of
- tell tales
- oil tank and stand
- ramps
- cupboards in vestry or tower
- Introduction or disposal of movable items:
- hymn boards
- kneelers
- fire extinguishers
- vases
- flower stands
- free-standing display boards
- free-standing book stands
- curtains in vestry or tower (where unseen)
- dehumidifiers
- Fire-proofing of
- curtains
- carpets
- other fabrics
- Replacement of vestments on like-for-like basis
- Disposal of minor items of furnishing and fabric which are of no historical or artistic merit