Last updated 11th June 2025

Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)

Each Diocese has a Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (known as the DAC).

A DAC has two main functions: The first is to comply with Part 3 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018 and advise the Diocesan Chancellor and Archdeacons on applications for permission to make changes to church buildings. The second is to help parishes to reimagine how they can adapt their church buildings to further the mission in the parish, and to give advice on all aspects of church buildings.

The Diocesan Advisory Committee advises churchwardens, parishes and clergy who are planning work to their churches. This advice is given on a voluntary basis by members of the Committee, who have between them knowledge of the history, development and use of church buildings; liturgy and worship of the Church of England; architecture, archaeology, art and history and experience in the care of historic buildings and their contents. The committee members are supported by a team of specialist advisers.

The Diocesan Advisory Committee provides advice and support to parishes at all stages of projects, from initial thoughts, through fundraising and making a faculty application, to completion.

The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) is committed to encouraging best practice in every matter relating to church buildings. Increasingly, this includes environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, reflecting the General Synod commitment to reaching net zero carbon by 2030 and the revised Diocesan Environmental Policy and Net Zero Roadmap. See here for the DAC Environment Policy.

Jen Read, Senior Church Buildings Officer: email: jen.read@blackburn.anglican.org; phone: 07899 348952

Jamie Skuse, Church Buildings Support Officer: email: jamie.skuse@blackburn.anglican.org; phone: 07484 073151

Rosie Griffiths, DAC Administrator: email: rosie.griffiths@blackburn.anglican.org; phone: 01254 503072

DAC Meetings 2025

Date of Meeting	Deadline for Submission of Papers
8 January 2025	31 December 2024
12 February 2025	4 February 2025
12 March 2025	4 March 2025
9 April 2025	27 March - note slightly earlier deadline
7 May 2025	29 April 2025
11 June 2025	3 June 2025
16 July 2025	8 July 2025
10 September 2025	2 September 2025
8 October 2025	30 September 2025
12 November 2025	4 November 2025
10 December 2025	2 December 2025

Blackburn Diocese DAC Members & Advisers

If you would like advice from any of our DAC specialist members and advisers please contact Jen Read at the details above.

Role	Name
Chair	Revd Canon Andrew Holliday
Ex-Officio (Archdeacon)	Vacant Ven. David Picken
DAC Secretary	Mrs Jen Read
Vice-Chair	Vacant
Appointed by Bishop's Council	Mr Charles Blackett-Ord (Structural Engineer Adviser) Mr Peter Boyd (Architect) Mr William Buck Mr Raymond Clayton (Clock and Tower Adviser) Ms Jill Cowgill (Conservation Architect) Mr Mike Darwell (Conservation Architect) Revd Nicholas Davis (Organ Adviser) Mr Stephen Fish (Architect) Ms Becky Gilbert-Rule (Conservation Architect) Mr Peter Iles (Archaeological Adviser) Mr Edward Kepczyk (Conservation Architect) Mrs Rosemary Lyons (Conservation Planning) Mr Mike Overton (Architect and Lighting Adviser) Mr Peter Rivet (Bell Adviser and Planning) Revd Kathryn Sperring (Curate member) Mr Duncan Sanderson (Conservation Architect) Mr Ivan Wilson (Conservation Architect) Stephen Pollard (Diocesan Synod nominee)
Joint Committee of the National Amenities Society nomination	Mr Charles Blackett-Ord
Historic England nomination	Vacant
Association of Local Authorities	Mr Peter Iles
Advisers (non-voting) Appointed by the Bishop	Mr Tom Bell (Organ Adviser) Mr John Book (Heating Adviser) Mrs Ruth Cooke (Stained Glass Window Adviser) Ms Lauren Crossley (Lighting Adviser) Mr Trevor Harling (Timber Adviser) Mr Martin Hodgson (Audio Visual Adviser) Mr Ken Linford (Tree Adviser) Mr Simon Lock (DAC Heating and Sustainability Adviser) Revd Matt Malins (Audio Visual Adviser) Revd Canon Professor John Rodwell (Diocesan Environment Officer) Mr Chris Travis (Heating Adviser) Mr Alan Wilkinson (Ecclesiastical Insurance) Mr Mark Womersley (Paint and Lime products Adviser)

Quicklinks

Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)

DAC Meetings 2025

Blackburn Diocese DAC Members & Advisers

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