MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE CHURCH OF ST. BARNABAS, LINSLADE HELD IN THE CHOIR VESTRY AT 8.00 P.M. ON TUESDAY JULY 15th  2003

 

 

Present:            Catherine Dyer

Keith Dally

                        Wyn Jones                  

                        David Darvill               

                        Maureen Gadsby         

                        Charles Griffin

                        Janet Miller

 

                       

Fran Morrow

Sue Nichol

Carol Oakman

Keith Saunders

Simon Soper                                       

Russell Stannard          

Valerie Stewart


                        Nick Moore                                Jo Thomson

           

Apologies:        Anna Barrett                                Maggi Stannard

                        Alison Cudby                              Jim Pickering

John Deighton                              Rebecca Pickering

Sue Smith                        

 

Absent:           Winston Forde

                       

The meeting opened with prayers.

 

It was noted that since the last PCC Meeting Graham Gill had resigned. Thanks were expressed for Graham’s contribution and work.

 

Minutes of the meeting of 17th June 2003

Keith S proposed and Carol seconded a motion to approve the minutes as an accurate record of the meeting. Catherine signed the minutes as an accurate record.         

           

Matters arising from the previous minutes:

 

09/03   Chairs in the Lady Chapel. Carried forward to the next meeting.

 

15/03   Parish Away Day. This will be held on Sunday 19/10 and will be led by Andrew Gear at Stewkley Methodist Church. The theme will be “Renewing Hope in our Church” and everyone will be encouraged to take part. Keith S to arrange for a notice to be placed in Cross and Crown.

 

17/03   Jo reported on the Parish Finances. Our contribution for the Parish Share this year is £48,532 and so far a total of £24,266 has been paid. This represents 50% paid within 6 months. The Parish has been greatly helped by receiving £9,363 from Gift Aid revenue but the next 6 months will require further efforts at fund raising. Nick offered to organise a Quiz Night with Sandra and Carol offered to hold a Coffee Morning. Catherine proposed that a meeting be held in Church after the service on September 14th to encourage other members of the congregation to come forward with ideas and offers of help for fundraising. Catherine thanked Jo for her informative article on the Parish Share in the July magazine.

            Jo also stated that a new safe is required in Church and this was referred to the Standing Committee.

 

New items: 

 

21/03   Lottery Funding Meeting. Jo reported on a meeting she had attended organised by Andrew Selous on applying for Lottery Funding. The Parish Hall would be eligible for a grant from the Heritage Fund but the Parish would have to match any funding allocated.

 

20/03   Parish Hall. Some discussion took place about the Parish Hall and its deteriorating condition. Keith S said that he felt it was too soon to form a Development Committee because we do not yet know what the options are. The correspondence from the Planning Department has been forwarded to the Diocesan Architect and David is to check with the Diocese about the public liability of the PCC in the event of accidents. The current Hall Fund stands at £11,000:  the Hall is currently making a small profit but this could be much greater if the facilities were improved. A BarBQ is to be held on Sat 26th July to raise funds for the Hall.

 

22/03   Authorisation to apply for faculty to remove pews as per 14/03. David proposed the motion that the Incumbent and Churchwardens be authorised to apply for a faculty to remove 1 pew from the front of the church on both sides and 4 from the back on the North side. The motion was seconded by Peter Holman and passed unanimously. There were no abstentions.

 

23/03   Authorisation to seek buyers for redundant pews. David proposed the motion that the Incumbent and Churchwardens be authorised to apply for buyers for the redundant pews. The motion was seconded by Janet Miller and passed unanimously. There were no abstentions.

 

25/03   Baptism Rota Training. Wyn showed everyone where everything was kept in Church and explained what was required. Anyone not able to carry out his or her duty is asked to swap with another member of the PCC.

 

26/03   Any Other Business.

 

David submitted a report from the Buildings Sub Committee (copy attached).

 

Catherine has met with the Youth Workers. The various groups are all in good heart but would welcome offers of assistance from the congregation. They are to meet monthly to develop their work and their own personal growth.

 

Catherine urged the PCC not to believe everything that was being published in the press concerning the appointment of Jeffrey John and recommended reading Archbishop Rowan Williams address to General Synod. Simon produced edited copies of this for the PCC to read which were agreed to have been most helpful. The clergy of Linslade, Leighton Buzzard and Heath and Reach are arranging a teaching event in the Autumn to look at issues surrounding recent events.

 

Catherine reported that the Revd Grant Fellowes has been appointed as the new vicar at All Saints, Leighton Buzzard.

 

              There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30 with the Grace.