Within the overall Property Team of the Diocese, the Church Buildings and Environment Team covers these main aspects of work:
- Missional Communities projects as part of the 'Transforming Church. Together' Strategy
- Provides guidance to PCCs and supports the work of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) on Faculty Applications
- Provides guidance to PCCs on repairs and maintenance
- Guides and oversees major repair projects with PCCs
- Works with PCCs in the process of enabling re-ordering and other significant projects to the benefit of the church and local community that it serves
- Housing and wider site development
- Leads on environment and sustainability to the whole Diocese, churches and schools to achieving net zero targets
Dr Joe Flatman – Director of Property and Estates
Joe leads the Property and Estates Directorate, which includes the Church Buildings Team; the Environment and Sustainability Team; the Governance Team; and the Property Team. His role is to lead the overall strategic direction of the diocese in terms of its approach to buildings and land, including the care of churches and diocesan property such as clergy houses, as well as wider landholdings (commonly known as glebe). Within this, Joe also steers diocesan approaches to environmental sustainability and compliance, including our commitment to Carbon Net Zero. The diocesan Governance Team also sits within Joe’s Directorate, ensuring compliance with ecclesiastical rules and regulations alongside wider legal responsibilities such as GDPR.
Neil Buckland FRICS – Senior Church Buildings Officer
Neil supports the work of the Diocesan Advisory Committee, leads the Church Buildings Team and is the Diocese lead on the support and guidance to PCCs for maintenance and repair of church buildings, and involved with major repairs and re-ordering projects. An experienced surveyor, he brings a wealth of experience to the team.
Dr Chris Barnes – Church Buildings Officer & DAC Secretary
Chris plays a key role in supporting the planning and execution of the work of the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC) and managing the Diocese's portfolio of closed churches in addition to some project support work with parishes
Carol Craddock – Church Buildings Coordinator
Carol provides support to the Church Buildings Team. Carol is also the first point of contact for visitors and taking telephone calls/emails and providing information/advice or re-directing queries.
Toni Bush – Church Buildings Community Engagement Enabler
Toni plays a key part of making 20 of the most in-need church buildings of the Dioceses of Salisbury and Bristol be used as a social and community resource.
Kit Connell – Environment and Sustainability Manager
Kit leads the Environment & Sustainability Team and heads up the TC.T Achieve Net Zero workstream. He is the Diocese lead for support and guidance of the crucial work with, churches and schools to plan and do the necessary action, training and advocacy for creation care and climate justice and deliver on our CNZ2030 ambition.
Kat Newman – Environment Officer
Kat actively supports all aspects of the Environment Programme and is focusing the Diocese of Bristol’s efforts to achieve the Silver Eco Diocese award.
Belinda Martin – Parish Environment & Sustainability Officer
Belinda joined the Net Zero team in 2025 after completing her MSc in Global Sustainability Solutions at Exeter University. Her experience spans work with schools, community groups, land-management projects, and township food-resilience initiatives.