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

27th NOVEMBER 2007, AT 8.00PM IN THE CHOIR VESTRY

 

 

 

Present:                        Marian Dye                               John Deighton

                                    Maureen Gadsby          Carolyn Birch

                                    Nick Moore                             Wyn Jones

                                    Miranda Soper                         Janet Miller                                                                  Simon Soper                           Carol Oakman

                                    Bruce Benedickter                    Vicki Faiers

Russell Stannard                         Dave Darvill

Pat Faulkner

 

Apologies:                                          

Valerie Stewart             Marlene Richardson

David Throssell             Jo Thomson

Ian Woodward

 

Nick chaired the meeting. The minutes of the meeting of 30th October 2007 were approved. Proposed by Russell, seconded by Marian. All agreed.

                                                                                   

Matters arising:

 

 

21/07   Hall up-date – Little further news. There should be a grant of £10,000 and Jo has received £10,000 from the taxman. The architect is currently getting quotations for a boiler and radiators. The system will be capable of being extended to cover future developments.

 

28/07   Church wardens – Nick has been in touch with the Archdeacon. We have to give 2 weeks notice of an extra-ordinary Parish meeting to elect a churchwarden. Nick has posted notices round the area, including at St Mary’s, ready for the meeting on Sunday 2nd December at 11.15am. Dave Darvill is the only proposed person to date and he is willing to stand until the next APCM.

 

31/07   Treasurer’s report – Jo had sent a report to be read in her absence. The parish share for 2007 is £61,034.00 and we have paid £40,000.00 so far. The approximate total of general funds is £2,354.00. It is clear we shall not be able to pay the balance in full, even allowing for fundraising events. There is to be a gift day on December 9th and Jo is hoping for a good response to her appeal that was distributed on November 18th and 25th and is to be repeated on December 2nd and 9th.

            With regard to charitable giving, the majority is raised around the Christmas period, so it is not practical at this point to estimate what the annual total will be, but Jo reminded everyone that apportion of the parish share goes towards mission and charitable giving within the diocese, and to help other parishes less well off than ours that have no hope of paying even a major portion of their share. This is a very important aspect of our giving and it must not be downplayed – other parishes rely on our generosity.

            It was noted that this is the first year that Linslade have not paid their share.

 Some members of the congregation have asked John about the sponsorship of the chairs in the Lady Chapel. Some people have paid towards this but the nameplates have not been fitted.

This will be investigated.

                                                     Action: Standing Committee

 

New items for this meeting:

 

 

34/07   Appointment of new minister         

 

            Following the interviews on November 9th, the Reverend Bernard Minton has been appointed to the Parish of Linslade subject to the required clearances. He is married with 3 young children and is currently a curate at St James the Less, Lancing. This will be his first post following his curacy. The Bishop of Shoreham will not release him until the end of April and the provisional date for his induction is 12th May 2008. There was discussion about his background, his choice of Linslade and the support he will receive from the team ministry.                                  

 

35/07   Hall cleaning

 

            Mark Savage has approached the PCC to review his hourly rate for cleaning the hall. He had supplied all members with a booklet explaining his varied tasks. It was agreed that this be passed to Standing committee for consideration.

                                                                                      Action: Standing Committee

                                                                                            

36/07   Bucks Clergy Charity

 

            The Bucks Clergy Charity had written to ask that PCC consider a contribution to this deserving cause. It was proposed by Marian and seconded by Wyn, that we send a contribution of £50.00. All agreed.

                                

37/07   Deanery Synod report

 

            The last meeting was held at St Barnabas in the Lady Chapel. The re-organisation of the parishes within the Synod is going to cause many problems. The clergy are trying to work together but some of the churches a re far from happy. Wyn said that St Barnabas moving to St Albans has not caused this.

 

38/07   Standing Committee report

 

            Nick explained about the work that was agreed in order for the heating to be resumed in the church. There are still some faults to be rectified and these are in hand. No one is happy that we had to pay for what seemed negligence in the initial installation but we did need to provide heat before the church got too cold to be used. The situation will be thoroughly investigated and reimbursements requested if negligence is found.

           

 

39/07   Any other business

 

a)      Valerie is moving to Somerset in January to take up a new appointment and so will be resigning from PCC. Paul will not be able to maintain the church website and we shall need a new web master. They will both be greatly missed.

b)      The Parish Fair was a great success, raising over £2,000.00. Wyn remarked that the atmosphere and the build up to the event were marvellous and thanks are due to everyone involved. PCC wished to note their special thanks to the organisers.

c)      A leaflet explaining our Christmas services will be available soon for distribution as freely as possible.

 

 

The meeting concluded with The Grace at 8.55 pm.