Selecting and Working with your professional adviser Presenter: Mrs Trudi Hughes, Heritage at Risk Surveyor, Historic England East Why should I appoint a specialist? Importance & benefits
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: general Why? Under the Inspection of Churches Measure 1955 as amended by the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991 all consecrated buildings of the Church of England must be inspected once every five years by a Chartered Architect or a Chartered Building Surveyor (the professional adviser) who is approved by the Diocesan Advisory Committee.
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: general All new (proposed) appointments have to be approved by the DAC, Benefits: the individual concerned will have / need to demonstrate relevant specialist expertise, qualifications and experience; They will be acquainted with church buildings, traditional building techniques, Diocesan policies and the seemingly complex processes involved; They should be able to navigate you through the process of managing all issues relating to historic fabric of the highest order of significance. i.e., the process of managing building repair, maintenance and improvements
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: how to start? The PCC need to set project objectives Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-bound
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: the QIR Your Adviser should be able to carry out the QIR, including the provision of clear advice on priorities and interim updates on the most urgent repair needs for ongoing maintenance plans and grant applications.
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: the QIR They will have a recognisable conservation philosophy; understanding of architectural history; understanding of SPAB guidance on repairs and maintenance & Historic England’s Conservation Principles & Practical Building Conservation (PBC) books and other relevant policies; Diocesan Advisory notes & national requirements ( the Diocese of St Albans’ DAC Advisory note 2 and appendices, is especially helpful) They will generally have a deep knowledge and understanding of historic building techniques and materials and their behaviour in use; They will have a good working knowledge of relevant ecclesiastical & secular law.
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: Grant applications A good adviser should also be able to assist the PCC in making grant applications, and this might helpfully include the provision of clear, illustrated up to date reports to help make the technical case for grant
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: Grant applications This will include a good working knowledge of the technical requirements of grant schemes, including HLFs Grants for Places of Worship Scheme; Knowledge of other relevant sources of grant and requirements of each
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: General They will advise on the need for, and appointment of other specialisms, such as: Structural Engineer, Ecologist, Conservator, Quantity Surveyor, Architectural Historian, Environmental specialist (fungal and beetle attack); M&E Engineers
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: the PCC must Get into a proactive mindset – you are the Client and need to lead! You set the brief - decide what you want, by when & the constraints ( useful guidance in DAC Advisory leaflet 2 ) You may have to advertise You should seek detailed fee proposals
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: Projects Most Advisers can provide a full technical service from project inception to completion, including strategic and day-to-day project management; providing indicative costs for, and specifying and tendering the works; Remember: they have a responsibility to report to you as the Client, and to deliver your project in accordance with the objectives agreed at the outset. You need to actively engage throughout the project May include design as well as, and may be separate from repair;
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: Projects Tender reporting; advising on appointments under relevant forms of contract; Post contract administration, quality assurance and cost control; Post-completion advice
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: Procurement Selection of your Adviser – many grant schemes routinely require this. Will involve Setting clear criteria for selection; (often) advertising
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: Procurement Ask for evidence of previous, recent similar projects successfully delivered; References; Sample QIR for a building similar to your own; Their terms of business
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: Procurement Interview: an essential opportunity to see who you might get; opportunity to explore their approach to your building, and to you. How well do they understand your needs? High quality, timely communication and dialogue is vital: how well do you feel that they communicate with you?
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: Procurement Fee breakdown: if its not clear and complete, then ask! You need to know the bottom line & the potential for variations; Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions, even if the answer may seem obvious!
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: Procurement Selection should be based on ‘best value’ Can be 70% quality and 30% fee Make sure you ask the right questions and that all contenders are asked the same questions, and that they are given the opportunity to ask questions.
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: procurement BEFORE YOU APPOINT: check out Terms and conditions – QIRs Terms and conditions – repairs projects Terms and conditions – design projects Check there are no conflicts between these and grant givers’ requirements, and what you want as Clients.
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: further information Diocesan Officers: as listed at the end of advisory leaflet 2. Diocesan website https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/finance/buildings/
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: further information Churchcare http://www.churchcare.co.uk/ National Churches Trust http://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/ Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Churches Trust http://bedshertshct.org.uk/
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: further information RIBA: Royal Institute of British Architects Client Advisory Service (for RIBA Conservation-accredited Architects); AABC: Architects Accredited in Building Conservation RICS: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors for Conservation-accredited Chartered Building Surveyors;
Selecting and working with your professional adviser What if it goes wrong? Speak to your adviser! most will respond positively: disputes are generally in no- one’s interests. If there's still an issue: Speak to their professional body If all else fails there are Arbitration procedures
Selecting and Working with your professional adviser: If you’ve got it right, it will be a long -lasting, rewarding and mutually beneficial arrangement! A partnership based on mutual respect and understanding; The adviser will benefit from inspecting the church over a period of time, thus allowing for greater refinement, care and certainty in the advice given; An ongoing dialogue and communication, underpinned by the delivery of sound, timely financial and technical advice.
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