MANSE POLICY - APP 3

SOUTHERN SYNOD

MANSE POLICY 2005

APPENDIX 3 - THE AREA PROPERTY ADVISER

It is highly desirable that in any formally constituted United Area or in any informal grouping of churches for pastoral care and support, an Area Property Adviser (APA) or equivalent buildings & manses adviser be identified and recognised by the Synod Property Committee.  Such a person will provide a single point of contact for the Synod Property Officer in matters relating to the manses in the area. The Area Property Adviser will assist with the purchase and sale of manses, the assessment of current manses and their suitability and, where necessary, give guidance to a local church in carrying out any agreed improvements or major repairs to a manse. Such a person will need to:

• be familiar with the process of house purchase (only to the extent of any normal house purchaser) and be willing to assist a local church in its search for a manse;
• understand the synod manse policy and standards and therefore be able to assess whether an existing or prospective property meets those standards;
• be aware of potential weaknesses in buildings and have keen powers of observation to enable a reliable assessment of the condition and facilities of a property;
• ideally, have some concept of how houses could be improved or extended;
• be able to visit properties, often in an emergency at short notice;
• undertake an informal annual inspection of all manses in company with a competent local person to determine whether urgent work is necessary and report to the Synod Property Officer.
• have some knowledge, or be prepared to acquire it, in the process of obtaining quotations for building works.

In summary, the Area Property Adviser need not be a professional. When a major piece of renovation or extension is to be carried out, the Synod will employ suitable professionals to draw up a schedule of work and, on occasion, to supervise the work. Local churches will remain responsible for oversight of the routine work and, where they are able, some of the larger projects. The key requirement is for someone who can rapidly build up an awareness of what the synod needs in a manse property, how that can best be achieved (i.e. advice about renovation, extension or replacement) and what the market has to offer in terms of replacement property.

Reporting mechanism

1. The Synod Property Officer will liaise with the Area Property Adviser and, where appropriate, with other Synod officers/committees to identify broad categories for manses and priorities for works or disposals as above;

2.  There will be no requirement for specific approvals by Synod committees for minor improvements or routine repairs. Extensions and disposals will, however, require the usual approval and certified Church Meeting minute;

3.  Implementation of works will be overseen by the Synod Property Officer and reported to the Synod Property Committee on a regular basis.

 

SS MANSE POLICY – Revised 2007

Version 1.0