MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL, ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, LINSLADE, HELD ON TUESDAY,
31st OCTOBER 2006, AT 8.00PM IN THE CHOIR VESTRY
Present: Valerie Stewart Catherine Dyer
Keith Saunders Carolyn Birch
Frances Morrow Russell Stannard
Marlene Richardson Carol Oakman
John Deighton Wyn Jones
Jo Thomson Marian Dye
Janet Miller Simon Soper
Maureen Gadsby Vicki Faiers
Miranda Soper David Throssell
Apologies:
Nick Moore Mike Finney
Keith chaired the meeting. He welcomed Jim May, St Alban’s Pastoral and Advisory secretary, who was to speak to us about the move to St Alban’s Diocese, and suggested that item on the agenda was taken first.
36/06 Move to St Alban’s Diocese
Jim May explained his position in the St Alban’s Diocese and then went through a paper that he had prepared about the proposed transfer of Linslade to St Albans Diocese (copy attached). He spoke of the progress so far and the next steps in the process. There is also the question of whether we join the Ouzel valley team ministry. A team constitution will need to be drafted or updated and a new team formed. Various administrative and financial issues will be ongoing through the process. Catherine queried the time scale and emphasised that there must be sufficient time for dissenters to be heard. Also, Catherine will be retiring next year. The post being vacant should not complicate the process. The post could be advertised as Priest-in charge/Team vicar designate, which would attract the right kind of candidate. Asked if he thought it would be better for St Alban’s to handle the appointment, Jim said that Oxford should start the process. Keith checked the protocol of St Alban’s handling the consultation. Jim confirmed this was the usual procedure. Keith raised the question of retaining the Bishop of Oxford or the Archdeacon of Buckingham as patron and asked that serious consideration be given to this. The position of non-stipendiary priests needs to be clarified.
The next step is to receive the draft proposals. Jim stressed that much will stay the same; the changes will be mainly at admin level. Also, we need to decide formally whether to join the Ouzel Valley Team Ministry. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
The congregation will need to be informed of the progress and made aware of the process. Keith will write an article for the parish magazine.
Jim was thanked for his time and he then left the meeting.
The agenda was resumed.
The minutes of the meeting of 26th September 2006 were approved. Proposed by Keith and seconded by Marian. All agreed.
Matters arising:
2/06 Appointments – Churches Together - This has still not been resolved although there is someone who may be interested. Whoever is appointed should be asked to join the Outreach group and possibly PCC.
32/06 Churches Together report – This was circulated after the last meeting. Catherine emphasised that we do need another lay representative. The report was noted.
29/06 Managing the west end of the church – This area is too congested and at least 2 further pews need to be removed. There is a lot of clutter that is aggravated by many items left at the back of the church without reference to the churchwardens. It is a basic courtesy to consult with the churchwardens, as it is part of their job to oversee this area. It was decided that better display furniture is needed. Everyone is urged to give this matter thought, look for examples in catalogues and give all suggestions to Jo for her to collate. Another issue to be considered is which door to use for services. As a matter of principle, the same door should be used by all – able and disabled. It was noted that the west door would still be needed for weddings and funerals.
35/06 a) Churchyard regulations – These are now posted.
b) Mobile phone mast – All documents have been sent to the company and we now wait for a response.
New items for this meeting:
37/06 Hall update – fundraising
Keith started by thanking everyone for attending the opening of the link on Sunday. He said how well we have done so far and how much has been achieved. The many fundraising events have been successful and have brought people together but there are issues to be addressed. There is a shortfall of £65,000 to start Stage 2a and £55,000 for 2b. Without the £65,000 we will lose the promised grant from Wren towards the new roof. Keith proposes a congregational meeting to celebrate the successes so far and to explain that grants need an equivalent amount of giving. He circulated some graphs to illustrate the situation, a proposed letter to be sent to the congregation and an article for the parish magazine. He stressed that the building of the hall as a community facility is a way forward for our church. The project needs the support of everyone to complete it and sacrificial donations are needed to make it possible.
The strategy was generally approved and Keith will proceed with the meeting, the letter and the article.
38/06 Christian nurture
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
39/06 Deanery Synod report
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
40/06 Treasurer’s report
Jo said that the projected income is slightly higher than last year but the reserves are lower as these were used a lot last year. She thinks there will be a £3-4000 shortfall for the parish share. Unrestricted reserves decline each year, as the share increases, and income does not increase accordingly. There was some concern about not paying the parish share in full when we shall be advertising for a new incumbent. There was also a question about the 10% for charitable giving. Jo will give an update on the situation at the next meeting.
41/06 Standing Committee report
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
42/06 Any other business
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
The meeting concluded with The Grace at 9.40 pm.