MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL, ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, LINSLADE, HELD ON TUESDAY,

30th OCTOBER 2007, AT 8.00PM IN THE CHOIR VESTRY

 

 

 

Present:                        Marian Dye                               John Deighton

                                    Maureen Gadsby          Carolyn Birch

                                    Nick Moore                             Marlene Richardson

                                    Miranda Soper                         Janet Miller

                                    Wyn Jones                               Jo Thomson

                                    Simon Soper                            Carol Oakman

                                    David Throssell                          Vicki Faiers

Russell Stannard                       Ian Woodward

Pat Faulkner

 

Apologies:                                          

Valerie Stewart             Bruce Benedickter

           

Rev Grant Fellows joined us part way through the meeting.

 

Nick chaired the meeting. The minutes of the meeting of 25th September 2007 were approved. Proposed by Marlene, seconded by Jo. All agreed.

The minutes of the extra meeting of 21st October were approved. Proposed by John, seconded by Maureen. All agreed.

 

                                                                                   

Matters arising:

 

 

17/07   Vacancy – update – Nick explained there was little definite news. There was a meeting on 31st October to look at the candidates’ applications and short list for interviews on 9th November. Guides will be needed to show candidates around the parish. Russell, Vicki and John agreed to help with this.

            The secretary had received notice that the Pastoral Measure, Proposals for the transfer of the benefice and parish of Linslade from the Diocese of Oxford to the Diocese of St Albans, have been approved by the Bishops and forwarded to the Church Commissioners. Simon suggested that we inform the local press of the intentions.

 

18/07   Security of premises – The security lights were operated by a timer set for the summer months. This has been removed and the lights now work on passive infrared only.

 

21/07   Hall up-date – The windows are now expected to be fitted on 17th December. Jo is attending a meeting with all concerned to discuss the heating in the hall. A grant should be available for most of this. Stuart suggests that the floor is replaced at the same time as the heating is installed, as this would save money in the long run. Jo is considering borrowing from another fund to do this. With new windows, replacement heating and floor and decorating by the community group, the hall would be more user friendly while we plan for the next stage of the project.

 

26/07   Parish magazine – members are urged to consider donations to the magazine. Without Russell’s contributions this month, there would not have been one.

 

New items for this meeting:

 

 

28/07   Church wardens

 

            Keith has resigned as churchwarden for personal reasons. Dave Darvill, a previous churchwarden, has offered to act as churchwarden until the next APCM. This will give the PCC time to prepare a suitable candidate for the position. There will need to be a as Extraordinary Parish meeting, for legal reasons, probably after the 10am service on 9th December, to give Dave the authority to act on our behalf. Nick asked for any suitable candidate to come forward. John is assistant Churchwarden for St Mary’s; we could also have an assistant at St Barnabas.                                                        

           

 

29/07   Resolution to accept Pat Faulkner and Ian Woodward as Lay Readers in the Parish of Linslade

 

            Nick welcomed Pat and Ian and thanked them for offering their services. The resolution was proposed by Carol and seconded by Russell. All agreed. It was remarked that we are very fortunate to have three experienced readers at St Barnabas.

                                                                                            

           

31/07   Treasurer’s report

 

            The situation is not as bad as expected but Jo said it is unlikely that we shall be able to pay our share in full. Our total share is £61,034 and we have paid £40,000 to date. The reserves were very low at the end of last year and we needed to build up a small amount. We have had some extra expenses this year, particularly repairs to the church roof, but giving has increased. This is an encouraging sign for the future. More specific figures will be available next month.

                                

30/07   To accept the Team Ministry Constitution

 

            Grant joined us for this item. Copies of the constitution had been distributed prior to the meeting. Russell asked about the allocation of stipend contributions. Grant explained the team were a group of parishes mutually supporting each other. The parish share consisted of 2 parts, one of which was the stipends contribution that was apportioned to each parish according to a formula given by the diocese. If Linslade joined the Ouzel valley team in January, their share would be under £50,000, a considerable saving to the present situation. There were personnel and financial advantages to being part of the team ministry, for example with weddings and funerals where the administration is done centrally. The team treasurer collects all the fees and pays out quarterly to all parties involved. Grant stressed that they are a relatively new team that is evolving with mutual support. Each PCC retains its own authority and autonomy, with mutual co-operation.

            Russell proposed that we accept the Team Ministry Constitution. Jo seconded this and everyone present was in favour.

           

 

32/07   Standing Committee report

 

            Most items were on the agenda, except to report 2 windows broken in the vicarage. These were in the process of being repaired.

 

 

33/07   Any other business

 

            Simon was invited to attend the Dunstable Deanery Synod meeting on 9th October, where he had been made very welcome. The main item for discussion was the number of stipendiary priests and they are looking to reduce one post within 8 years. They will probably look at boundaries and smaller parishes will be put into larger groupings.

            There was pressure to pay the parish share monthly – this Jo does already.

            They are to fund a part time post for a Children and family worker. Grant explained how this would work.

            Grant was thanked for coming and helping the discussion.

 

 

           

 

The meeting concluded with The Grace at 9.15 pm.