The Diocesan Buildings Committee normally meets monthly, to consider matters associated with churches, ancilliary buildings and rectories around the diocese.  Its membership includes diocesan clergy, buildings experts and members of architectural practices.

Register of Controlling Interests in Land (Scotland)

New legislation requires registration, by 31 March 2024, details of those responsible for ownership and/or control of land in Scotland. Details of the process will be posted here in due course but, in the meantime, please see the letter below from Godfrey Robson, Diocesan Secretary.

Canon 35

Apply for permission to make changes to church buildings.  Look at the guidance document to see what is covered by this Canon, to help you assess whether your project or scheme requires the consent of the Diocesan Buildings Committee and The Bishop.  The flowchart will help you to understand the process, but do contact the Diocesan Office if you are unsure about any part of this.

Fire Regulations

Advice papers on precautions to be taken by vestries, in clergy housing.

SEC Advice from the General Synod Office – click here

Church of England Advice Paper – click here

Quinquennial Reports

A full condition report on the fabric of churches, halls and rectories is required every five years, under Canon 60:

“With the Rector the Vestry shall, unless the duty is placed under the Constitution of the charge on Church Wardens or others, have the care of the property and fabric of the Church including the parsonage house or houses, halls, offices and any other properties acquired in connection with the Church and gifts and bequests, unless otherwise directed, accruing to the Church for whatever purpose, and shall see to the safe custody, maintenance, insurance, use and administration of the same

Each Vestry shall appoint an architect, chartered surveyor or other suitably qualified person to supervise the buildings under the Vestry’s charge and the Vestry shall obtain a written report in respect of these buildings, at least every five years.“

The Diocesan Office keeps a list of when each report is due, but it is the responsibility of each vestry to commission the reports.

Pro-forma Churches Report Summary for architects (PDF version) – click here

Pro-forma Churches Report Summary for architects (Word version) – click here

Pro-forma Residential properties Report Summary for architects (PDF version) – click here

Pro-forma Residential properties Report Summary for architects (Word version) – click here

St Andrews Fund

When the church building at St Andrew’s Prestonpans was sold in 2015, the sale proceeds were used to setup this Fund.  It seeks to help churches with limited resources, to pay for urgent/emergency building works.  At present, individual grants are limited to £1,000.

Grant Application Form (PDF version) – click here

Grant Application Form (Word version) – click here

Inventories

Canon 35 states: The Vestry, unless the duty is placed under the constitution of the charge on Churchwardens or others, shall be responsible for seeing that a detailed inventory of all church goods and ornaments, registers and other property belonging to the charge

Below are 2 version of a pro-forma which you are free to use. They are in sections so that you can delegate different areas to people and groups to complete and then bring together as a complete document.

Useful Links

Scottish Episcopal Church website – buildings information – click here 

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