MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL,
ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, LINSLADE, HELD ON TUESDAY,
Present: Valerie Stewart John Deighton
Keith Saunders Carolyn Birch
Nick Moore Russell Stannard
Miranda Soper Frances Morrow
Wyn Jones Maureen Gadsby
Carol Oakman Jo Thomson
Marlene Richardson Vicki Faiers
Apologies:
David Throssell Marian Dye
Janet Miller Simon Soper
Keith chaired the meeting. Mike Finney has resigned from the
PCC and the Deanery Synod for personal reasons. The minutes of the meeting of
Matters arising:
45/06 Back of the Church - The back of the church is much improved but at the expense of the crèche. This is now a Health and Safety matter with ladders, boards etc and desperately needs tidying. The Churchwardens will investigate. A suggestion was made to include this area in the cleaning rota.
A cupboard has been purchased to hold the Traidcraft items.
The new pigeonholes are in place and the shelves beneath it now need to be cleared.
There is a list at the back of the church to get the opinion of the congregation about the pews. The pew will have to be replaced at some point, prior to a faculty application for its removal if that is the wish of the majority.
Action: Churchwardens
56/06 Christian Nurture – The material about the Emmaus course has been received. The group will report to the PCC after Easter.
Action: House groups
59/06 Treasurer’s report – John queried the £5,000 used from the Dorothy Hall fund – Jo explained the thinking behind the decision, reminding everyone that it is the “Parish” share, not just St Barnabas and St Mary’s is part of the Parish and so should make some contribution. She had explained that it could be repaid to the DH fund if sufficient persons so required but at the moment the reserves at St Barnabas are only £2,500.
New items for this meeting:
61/06 Procedures during the vacancy
The next step is for the Churchwardens to meet with
Andrew Gear to discuss the Parish Profile and to decide on whether to advertise
the vacancy or to use the members on the Bishop of Oxford’s list. It was felt
it would be better to advertise. The Oxford Diocese thought that St Alban’s
Diocese should be involved in the selection. Nick and Keith have not heard
anything formally but believe that the transfer request is waiting for the
Bishop of Dorchester to approve the plan before the open consultation process
begins. Keith and Nick have been asked to join the All Saints team as they look
at their organisational methods.
The telephone in the vicarage has to
be put in the name of one of the churchwardens because of the burglar alarm. It
is not clear who pays for this.
The vicarage needs structural repairs before it can be let – not clear who is responsible for this. We can engage someone to mow the lawns and the Diocese will pay.
Action: Churchwardens
62/06 Co-ordination of events during the vacancy
Keith emphasised the importance
of good co-ordination during the vacancy. All dates of meetings should go
through Nick, with Miranda taking bookings for the church and Janet doing the
hall bookings. Other meetings not needing hall or church should still be given
to Nick so he can check on any conflicting dates. An extra copy of minutes,
agendas, members of groups etc should be given to the parish office. This will
be useful for the new incumbent. The incumbent is ex-officio chair of all sub
groups of the PCC, so it is important that the churchwardens know what is going
on during the vacancy.
Action: Everyone
63/06 Organists contract
The present contract expired in
December 2005 and needs renewing as soon as possible. Keith will see to this.
Action: Keith
64/06 CRB clearance
Nick has initiated the clearance for the 2 new youth leaders and he will start a rolling programme to re new existing persons.
Action: Nick
65/06 Hall update
The work on Stage 2b should start within the next 2 weeks after the contract has been received, signed and returned. Thanks are due to Wren and to the Town Council who made a £5,000 third party contribution. The hall should be able to be used during the work, but some groups have left because of the lack of heat. We were unsuccessful with the lottery grant – the application was good but there was not enough money for all the projects. Keith will try again at some point soon.
66/06 APCM arrangements
There will be vacancies for 4 members to stand for 3 years, and one member for 1 year. There will also be a vacancy for a Deanery Synod representative for 1 year. Members need to approach other members of the congregation to find if they are interested in joining the PCC. There are still some members of the PCC who have not returned their new electoral roll forms. They will not be eligible to vote or to stand for PCC if they are not on the new roll.
Keith mentioned that under new legislation, churchwardens may not continue in office after 6 full years in post unless a motion is passed at the annual parish meeting. The following motion will be put to the meeting.
“The annual meeting of the
parishioners resolves that the restriction contained in section 3 of the
Churchwardens Measure 2001( which would prevent the appointment of a
churchwarden who had already served for six consecutive years) shall not apply
in relation to this parish”
67/06 Youth Leaders report
The minutes of a meeting held on 5th February had been circulated. (Copy in file) It was noted that Baby Barnacles was not mentioned. Also, it was unclear of the position of Sunday school if it is replaced by “Not Sunday, Not School” club. PCC felt Sunday school should be developed. Keith will attend the next meeting to be held on 5th March.
68/06 Standing Committee report
a) The church clock is still not working but nothing is to be done at the moment.
b) Bibles – Jo has looked at various sources to get the best deal. Russell suggested that she approach Buzzard books in town. She will also see if a lectern copy can be found.
69/06 Any other business
a) Fran reports that a large ladder has still not been purchased – the present wooden one is dangerous. The churchwardens will investigate.
Action: Churchwardens
b) Barbara Marshall is doing a flower arrangement for a festival at All Saints and would like a donation from the PCC. The arrangement would be from Linslade Parish. Keith proposed that we sponsor this. Carol seconded it. Everyone agreed.
c) John enquired whether a quote has been received for stonework round the south porch at St Mary’s. It has not been seen by PCC. Also, the quinquennial inspection report is 2 years overdue. Keith will investigate.
Action: Keith
d) John asked whether any ecological/ environmental management of resources has been incorporated in the plans for the new hall. Keith explained that the architects were constantly looking at ways to be environmentally friendly within the financial restraints.
The meeting concluded with The Grace at 9.10 pm.