MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL, ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, LINSLADE, HELD ON 26^th OCTOBER 2004, AT 8 P.M. IN THE CHOIR VESTRY

Present:
	Jo Thomson	Carolyn Birch
	Maureen Gadsby	Miranda Soper
	Wyn Jones	Fran Morrow
	Alison Cudby	John Deighton
	David Darvill	Carol Oakman
	Keith Saunders	Vicki Faiers
	Russell Stannard	Anna Barrett
	Janet Miller
Apologies:
	Catherine Dyer	Nick Moore
	Melvyn Gardner	Valerie Stewart
	Jim Pickering	Rebecca Pickering
	Mike Finney	Simon Soper

Keith chaired the meeting, which was preceded by parish prayers in the Lady Chapel led by Wyn.

The minutes of the meeting of the 28^th July were approved with the alteration in 32/04 that should read Mursley “deanery” not diocese. Proposed by Russell, seconded Jo.

Matters arising

23/04	Lady Chapel refurbishment – There was a sample of a chair to view. The fabric has still to be confirmed. There was also a sample of the smoked glass. A motion was passed to apply for a faculty to purchase 24 chairs and to install the glass. The chairs must include a facility for a small brass plate for the names of donors. Proposed by John, seconded by Janet. All in favour.
30/04	The use of the back of the Church – There has only been a few ideas for its use. Please continue to give ideas to Dave.
32/04	Leighton Buzzard Team Ministry – There will be a meeting on December 5^th after the 10.00 service to discuss developments. Annie Cooper, Deanery Lay Chair, will be present.
33/04	a) Training curate –A prospective curate has visited the parish and met some members of the P.C.C. We are waiting to hear whether he will join us. If he does, he will need rented accommodation.

New items for this meeting:

34/04	Parish Hall update. Keith explained the need to go forward to the planning stage, as detailed in papers circulated before the meeting. Some amendments will be needed to the present plans. A cost consultant needs to be appointed to work out exact costs of the various elements once the plans have been agreed. The costs involved at this stage are £13,500 consultant fees to take to planning stage (that will be subtracted from the overall 10% charges), plus £1000 + VAT to structural engineer, plus £5000 for cost consultant. A total of £19,500 plus VAT. A discussion followed about funding, risks involved, alterations to the design, etc. Noted that we are not alone- the Diocese will be involved, we are only committed to stage 2 and a faculty application will have to be made before further progress. The possibility of phased development will also be investigated. The proposal “To agree to engage David Scott Architects to act as our professional advisers and to take the hall project forward to planning stage, and to meet the associated costs,” will also give a positive message and will help fundraising. Proposed by John, seconded by Maureen. All in favour.
35/04	Dorothy Hall Legacy The discussion was about the remaining 50% of the legacy and centred round what Dorothy intended for its use. If she meant that the money should go to each church building rather than to the parish, there is a moral and possibly legal issue about using it for other purposes such as the hall fund. The “general purposes” clause could be interpreted differently and then it could be used for a priority for the parish. Both churches have needs, especially for the fabric of the buildings. It was suggested that we need to look at the essential needs to preserve St Mary’s for the next 10 – 20 years, prioritise them and look at existing funds available to meet these needs. The “Biley” fund, which is restricted, has about £40,000 and will help with the problems with the churchyard and general ground maintenance. John and the Friends committee will also present a list of desirable work, although he cannot foresee what will come out of the qinquennial survey, which will take place next year. It was agreed to leave further discussions about the legacy until the reports are received.
36/04	Finance and general fundraising Jo explained that we are down on our planned giving and we need to make it up somehow. Hopefully on Stewardship Sunday, people will review what they are able to give and the position will be more positive. We also need to look at general fundraising for next year, especially the Summer Fair and the Christmas Bazaar. We need to plan ahead; the material needs of the church do not stop while we are fundraising for the hall. It is difficult to meet these needs when general giving is declining and the hall fund is a priority. Both are important.
37/04	Worship Committee recommendations There were 2 recommendations – Receiving communion; the needs of the disabled, had already been agreed (see 33/04). Russell has written an article for the November magazine but a further explanation needs to be given to the congregation when it is introduced. The other proposal about services on Boxing Day, which falls on a Sunday this year, was explained. There will only be one service on that day at 10.00 am which will be a shortened and simplified form of the traditional Parish Communion. The recommendations were accepted. Proposed by Anna, seconded by Alison. All in favour.
38/04	Standing Committee report a) Standing Committee has agreed to produce a Christmas card. It will need to know the times of services for that period as soon as possible. b) Sidesman training. This included a walk round the church to highlight health and safety issues and the needs of the disabled. A written guide will be produced soon. c) Stewardship Sunday will now be 31^st October. d) Churchwarden’s handbook – This has been produced by Keith, with help from others, because he realised that little was actually written down. It will be kept in the Parish office where anyone can refer to it as needed. It will need to be kept up to date. e) Dates for the diary: 4^th December – Quiz – Hall fund raising 3^rd,4^th,5^th December – Christmas tree festival 5^th December – Parish meeting 5^th December – St. Mary’s carol concert, 3pm. 21^st December – St Mary’s concert
39/04	Any other business Wyn has received a letter from the bishop of St.Albans, giving her permission to officiate at All Saints.

The meeting concluded with the Grace at 9.20 p.m.