MINUTES OF THE
MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL, ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, LINSLADE, HELD ON
TUESDAY,
Present:
Jo Thomson Keith Saunders
Simon Soper Wyn Jones
Miranda Soper Vicki Faiers
Carol
Oakman
John Deighton Maureen Gadsby
Valerie Stewart Carolyn Birch
Marion Dye
Apologies: Mike Finney Catherine Dyer
Janet Miller Russell Stannard
Alison Cudby Nick Moore
Keith chaired the meeting and welcomed Marion, the only new member, of the PCC.
The minutes of the meeting of 22nd February were approved, proposed by Maureen and seconded by Carol. All agreed.
The minutes of the meeting of 10th April were approved, proposed by John and seconded by Valerie.
Matters arising:
52/04 Hall update – The title deeds have not been found so the statutary declaration for the replacement will be needed. We are still waiting for the diocesan registrar to let us know what information he has received from the Charity commissioners.
56/04 Children and Holy Communion. – The
provisional date for Jenny Hyson’s visit is
60/04 Sound system – No further details to report. Nick is now seeing to this. He has had a meeting with the contractors and there is ongoing discussion as to where to site the control desk.
63/04 Lady Chapel – The refurbishment is now complete. The glass is installed and the new chairs in use. The old chairs were sold for £350. Jo was thanked for all her efforts with this project.
New items for this meeting:
1/05 Approve appointments as follows:
Vice-Chair Keith Saunders
Treasurer Jo Thomson
PCC Secretary Carolyn Birch
Friends of St. Mary’s John Deighton
Gift Aid Secretary
Churches Together Alison Cudby, vacancy
Christian Aid Derek May
Fetes and Bazaars Miranda Soper, Marion Dye
CRB clearance Nick Moore
Child protection Melvyn
Children’s advocates Jenny Smith, Derek May
Sunday School leader Jenny Smith
Editor of Parish Magazine John Vickers
Chair of Worship Committee Gill Saunders
Chair of Parish Outreach Rita Kingston
Chair of Social Committee Marion Dye
Chair of Stewardship Committee Russell Stannard
Standing and Finance committee members – Incumbent, Churchwardens, PCC secretary and treasurer, ex officio, and Wyn Jones
Buildings Committee members – Incumbent, Churchwardens, John Deighton as representative from Friends of St Mary’s and David Darvill as Premises supervisor.
Jo proposed and Carol seconded a motion that these people be elected to serve for the year. The motion was passed unanimously.
Keith formally thanked those who take on these roles for all their hard work. The chairs of the various committees have been appointed and anyone wishing to join a group will be most welcome.
A paper was circulated detailing the responsibilities of the Buildings Committee (copy in main file).
It was proposed by Miranda and seconded by Simon that the brief be accepted. All in favour.
2/05 PCC dates.
The dates, previously circulated, were accepted.
Proposed by John, seconded by Vicki.
3/05 Hall refurbishment
Keith talked through the issues detailed in the paper previously circulated to all members (copy in main file). He explained John Faiers role in taking the project forward, the financial implications and the need for flexibility to ensure the best use of the grants available. The formal consultation period is to the end of May, after which we can go out to tender. There were various questions relating to the relationship of the Parish Hall committee to the PCC, the “ownership” of the hall, how the finances would operate and the need to protect church user groups. All these points were noted and Keith emphasised that the PCC own the building and would decide the parameters within which the project will work.
The PCC was asked to accept the draft business plan but to recognise that it is a draft subject to revision. In particular the PCC was asked:
To reaffirm the project’s vision and objectives.
To approve the proposed management structure, especially the role of John Faiers and the establishment of a new hall committee containing representatives of the wider community (replacing existing Site redevelopment committee)
To approve the management for building the hall.
To approve the plan to stage the building (but also to recognise that this may change in the light of circumstances).
.
To note the implications of the staged building in particular planned purchase of Portakabin and scaffolding.
To start planning for the re-siting of the parish office during the building process.
To note the cash flow plan (but also to note that it is provisional and all dates will depend on cash being available before building commences)
To approve the management structure for the rebuilt hall and in particular the management objectives.
To express its view on the lettings policy (to be decided by Hall committee)
The PCC has approved so far the appointment of architects John Hardman and David Scott of David Scott Associates to take the project as far as planning stage. The planning application has been submitted and the consultation for the faculty application for the church-hall link is nearly completed
The PCC was asked:
To approve the continuation of the project to the end of the tender stage which will involve work by the architects, the quantity surveyor, the structural engineer at an estimated total cost in fees of £43,100 (including payments already made during the design stage)
To approve the formal
application to the diocese for faculty permission to construct a door in
the south-west wall to link into the hall with the re-siting of the stained
glass window in the new link. This approval is subject to there being no
objections during the consultation.
To note that no building contracts will be entered into without further agreement of the PCC.
John proposed and Simon seconded that all of the above be agreed. All in favour.
4/05 Affiliation to Faithworks
Keith explained about the Faithworks Movement, which has been working towards empowering and inspiring individual Christians and every local church to develop their role at the hub of their community. It is interdenominational and produces resources and training material. The affiliation fee is £20 per year.
Keith proposed that we join, seconded by Valerie, all in favour.
5/05 Worship Committee
A written report was distributed for all to read (copy in main file). The report detailed the study of the responses to the questionnaire, about services, issued earlier in the year. Russell is to write an article for the Cross and Crown and for the Parish magazine. Concerns were raised about how to introduce new hymns without interrupting the service. Some felt that perhaps the choir could provide a more positive lead to the hymn singing, especially with new ones.
Russell is to be thanked for all his work during the time he has chaired this committee.
6/05 Any other business
a)
St.Mary’s kerbstones
John explained the need to seek formal permission from the PCC to apply for a faculty to remove the kerbstones from the graves at St.Mary’s. He has done all the preliminary work as previously agreed.
Proposed by John, seconded by Carol. All agreed.
b) Caretaker’s pay
The caretaker has not had an annual rise in pay per hour. Jo proposed that his rate be increased to £7.00 per hour. Seconded by John. All agreed.
c) Church clock
It was noted that the church clock is still not functioning properly which is causing concern to those who rely on it. This will be investigated.
The meeting
concluded with The Grace at