Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018

45 Scheme for inspection of church or building in the list

(1) In the case of each diocese, the scheme established by the diocesan synod or the bishop under section 1 or 1B of the Inspection of Churches Measure 1955, providing for the inspection of every church or relevant building in the diocese at least once every five years and having effect immediately before the commencement of this section, continues to have effect.

(2) The scheme contains—

(a) provision establishing a fund by means of contributions from parochial, diocesan or other sources;

(b) provision for the payment out of that fund or otherwise of the cost of inspecting churches or relevant buildings in the diocese;

(c) provision for the appointment of one or more qualified persons approved by the advisory committee to inspect the churches or relevant buildings in the diocese and make a report on each one inspected;

(d) provision, in the case of each church inspected, for a copy of the report made under paragraph (c) to be sent to—

(i) the archdeacon of the archdeaconry in which the church is situated,

(ii) the PCC of the parish in which it is situated,

(iii) the incumbent of the benefice to which that parish belongs, and

(iv) the secretary of the advisory committee;

(e) provision, in the case of each relevant building inspected, for a copy of the report made under paragraph (c) to be sent to—

(i) the archdeacon of the archdeaconry in which the building is situated,

(ii) the secretary of the advisory committee, and

(iii) the Church Buildings Council;

(f) such other provisions as were included under section 1(2)(e) or 1B(1) of the Inspection of Churches Measure 1955 (power of diocesan synod or bishop to make provisions consistent with that Measure).

(3) The diocesan synod may at any time establish a further scheme to replace the previous scheme (regardless of whether that previous scheme was established by the diocesan synod or by the bishop); and a further scheme—

(a) must be for the purpose specified in subsection (1),

(b) must contain the provision specified in subsection (2)(a) to (e), and

(c) may contain such other provision not inconsistent with this section or sections 46 to 48 as the diocesan synod thinks fit.

(4) A scheme established under subsection (3) and passed at a meeting of the diocesan synod—

(a) must be signed by the chair of the meeting, and

(b) comes into operation on the date on which it is signed.

(5) “Relevant building” means a building included in the list other than a building within section 38(2)(b) (episcopal house of residence).

(6) “Qualified person” means—

(a) a person registered under the Architects Act 1997, or

(b) a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors who is qualified as a chartered building surveyor.