Role of the DAC
- The DAC advises the Chancellor on faculty matters. The Committee effectively acts as the Chancellor’s technical advisers.
- The DAC advises parishes. The DAC encourages parishes to involve them early in the process of developing proposals and is very happy to arrange for a group to visit the church to discuss proposals. This is done at no cost to the parish.
- The DAC approves inspecting architects and surveyors for quinquennial inspections.
Dates of DAC meetings
The DAC normally meets on the second Tuesday of each month (except August). Details of matters for consideration are normally required at least two weeks before a meeting – this gives time for specialist members of the DAC to consider the proposals fully and for papers to be circulated to all members in advance of the meeting.
Dates for 2025
| DAC MEETING DATES 2025 | DATES FOR SUBMISSION DEADLINES |
| 14 January 2025 | 31 December 2024 |
| 11 February 2025 | 28 January 2025 |
| 11 March 2025 | 25 February 2025 |
| 8 April 2025 | 25 March 2025 |
| 13 May 2025 | 29 April 2025 |
| 10 June 2025 | 27 May 2025 |
| 8 July 2025 | 24 June 2025 |
| NO MEETING IN AUGUST | NO MEETING IN AUGUST |
| 9 September 2025 | 26 August 2025 |
| 14 October 2025 | 30 September 2025 |
| 11 November 2025 | 28 October 2025 |
| 9 December 2025 | 25 November 2025 |
Constitution and membership
DAC advisers (and most other Committee members) are volunteers who give their time freely and generously. Many are practising or retired professionals in various disciplines that are applicable to works in churches.
Chair
HH Nigel Seed KC – DAC Chair
Archdeacons (ex-officio members)
Ven Greg Prior – Archdeacon of Croydon
Ven Simon Gates – Archdeacon of Lambeth
Ven Chigor Chike – Archdeacon of Lewisham & Greenwich
Ven Moira Astin – Archdeacon of Reigate
Ven Jonathan Sedgwick – Archdeacon of Southwark
Ven John Kiddle – Archdeacon of Wandsworth
Members
Revd David Adamson-Hill – Liturgical Adviser
Mr Sherry Bates – Architect
Mr Andrew Burke – Sustainability & Accessibility Adviser
Ms Karen Butti – Architect
Ms Heather Cerowski – Architect
Revd Helen Cook – Clergy Member of Diocesan Synod
Mr Matthew Cox – Architect
Mr Melvin Hughes – Vice-Chair and Organs Adviser
Ms Delcia Keate – Historic England nominee
Ms Jessica Kennedy – Structural Engineer
Mr Tim Lynch – Architect
Dr William McVicker – Organs Adviser
Ms Laura Morgante – National Amenity Societies nominee
Revd Charlie Moore – Clergy Member
Mr Mike Popper – Sustainability and M&E Adviser
Mr Stuart Tappin – Structural Engineer
Mrs Alison Walker – Interior Designer
Mr John Wilman – Local Authorities nominee
Mr Bob Wilson – Chartered Building Surveyor
Vacancy – Lay Member of Diocesan Synod
Other advisers
Accessibility Adviser – The Revd Jonathan Macy (also Bishop’s Advisor on Disability)
Archaeological Adviser – Mr Robert Whytehead
Architect Adviser – Mr Russell Hanslip
Architect Adviser – Mr Peter Jamieson
Architect Adviser – Ms Aya Kihara Paul
Art Adviser – Vacancy
Audio-Visual Systems Adviser – Mr Michael Dyer
Bells Adviser – Dr Bill Hibbert
Chartered Building Surveyor Adviser – Ms Alex Baldwin
Churchyards Adviser – Vacancy
Clocks Adviser – Mr Jonathan Betts MBE
Electrical Adviser – Vacancy
Heating Adviser – Mr Martin Dow
Lighting Design Adviser – Mr Philip Rose
Stained Glass and 19thC / 20thC artworks Adviser – Mr Peter Cormack MBE
Trees (Arboricultural & Landscape) Adviser – Mr Greg Packman
The point of contact for the work of the Committee (at Trinity House) is the DAC Secretary, Luke Tatam, or Assistant Secretary, Katie Jenner.
Former places of worship in the Diocese of Southwark
The DAC acts as an advisory body to the Bishop and to the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee (DMPC) on closing places of worship, and on new churches being built. The DAC and DMPC have jointly produced a booklet on Former places of worship (sometimes known as ‘lost churches’) in the Diocese of Southwark which is provided for the benefit of parishes, academics, and members of the public researching their family history.
