Church Activities

PCC Minutes for February 2008 Meeting

These minutes are published on the basis that such matters (if there be any) which the PCC has resolved shall remain confidential have not been included

MINUTES OF THE PCC MEETING HELD ON

MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2008 AT 7.15 pm IN THE REID ROOM

31 PCC members were present at the meeting.

1. Worship

The PCC read Psalm 4 together. Erik pointed out that, like the psalmist, we all have nights of sleeplessness, calling out to God because of slander, bullying or other difficulties. The psalmist’s confidence rests on his trust in "my righteous God" – in his acknowledgement of God as his own, and his firm grasp of God’s righteousness. The psalm begins with anguish and distress but ends with peace and confidence – in between has been faithful and confident prayer.

2. Apologies for absence

These were received from Carol Harrison, Chris McGregor, and Jo Monaghan.

3. Minutes of the Last Meeting

There were no amendments. It was proposed by Erik Wilson and seconded by Bob Parkin that the minutes of the meeting of 7 January be approved as an accurate record. All were in favour and the file copy was signed by the Vicar.

4.Matters Arising from the Minutes

a) Alterations for Nick Barr-Hamilton

Erik reported that Nick and Lucy visited at the end of last week and discussed a ramping arrangement which will enable Nick to get from the vestry, around the back of the font and up to the first level of the sanctuary. Oakleys are to be asked for a quote and we will liaise with "Access To Work" - a government agency who may give a grant. Handrails might be necessary for safety and the alterations would be temporary.

It may be possible to angle the slope of the pavement outside the front door into church to make it level with the step into church to enable Nick to have independent access. This will be investigated when the area is dug up (shortly) to investigate a blocked drain.

The diocese has found a house just outside the parish which may be suitable for Nick and Lucy. The diocese will be responsible for the alterations and Nick and Lucy liked the house.

b) Nave Re-ordering

Andrew Argyle gave this report. The Nave working groups are making a useful contribution to the process e.g. the music group are trying out different places to stand. Andrew said that the main priority now is funding, which he will raise at the next meeting.

c) J. John Mission

Preparation in the church is now underway with some prayer triplets established and bookmarks with prayer requests available. More volunteers needed for stewarding and ministry. Three hundred thousand pounds is still to be raised.

d) Being a Welcoming Church

Newcomers lunches to be organised once a month – also coffee and doughnuts at the welcome desk. Everyone must work hard to integrate newcomers into the church family.

5. Correspondence

	Sister Aba has sent a very encouraging report from Jachie on the work of the last twelve months. In 2007 5,232 people were seen.
	A thank you letter has been received from the Holme House Prison Fellowship Group outlining how our gift to the Angel Tree Project was spent.

6. Vicar’s Remarks

Erik spoke about his belief that the church is poised for growth, his encouragement in the Life Groups and excitement at the prospect of the J. John Mission. Much depends on the church family being welcoming and inviting and being prepared to make sacrifices – preferences, finances, comfort, our shyness. We do not want to be a successful church, we want to be a faithful church and if we are faithful to God he will be faithful to us.

7. Buildings sub-committee Report

Bob Parkin gave this report.

a) The church

	The West window grilles are damaged and rusty and there are holes where the windows have been broken. PPS fitted the original grilles and have quoted to supply and fit new galvanised grilles. Bob is waiting for another quote.
	While he was working in the Reid Room Bob asked the BMM engineer to have a look at the church heating and comment on the thermostatic control. He said that the thermostats for each heater must be set to the same temperature to prevent one compensating for the other. Bob has now managed to do this and has set them on a lower temperature.
	The church lightening conductor failed its test and AEP are preparing a report and quote to put this right.
	The surface water drain outside the church front door is blocking up in heavy rain and a drain clearing firm whom Bob called out were unable to do anything about it. Work will be necessary to find out where the blockage is – if this is undertaken the front door paving could possibly be raised for disability access.

b) The Hall

The faulty ignition probe to the boiler in the Reid Room has been renewed – Bob asked the BMM engineer to quote for the supply and installation of a new boiler. It would be wall mounted on the outside wall of the Reid Room kitchen. This has been deferred.

c) Houses

23 Linden Grove electrics – after another look at the work it has been decided that less work is needed.

64 Queens Road Electric - Bob has received the five yearly inspection report which shows the electrics to be in a similar state to Linden Grove. Three firms have been asked to quote.

Expenditure for January 2008 - £226.78 (J. Lightbown - Organ service)

8. 2007 Accounts and 2008 Budget

Hugo presented these. He told the PCC that he was only presenting the Budget. The PCC had already seen the accounts which were now with the auditor. All members had a copy of the budget to refer to – this was a summary, full copies were available by request to Hugo.

Hugo said that the finance sub committee had wanted to create a balance of £6000 on the unrestricted funds. This would ease the cash flow and also enable an earlier distribution of the Kingdom Mission Giving disbursements. However, after a great deal of time and heart searching this was not possible. Hugo explained that it had only been possible to create a "break even" budget for 2008 without seriously compromising our purposes as a church.

The main features of the 2008 budget as outlined by Hugo:

	An assumption in faith of a 10% increase in giving by the congregation
	£4500 assumed rent in a year from Linden Grove
	A continued commitment to 12.5% Kingdom Mission Giving
	There will be 7% increase in Diocesan Quota
	Extra major building repair costs of over £6000 (Linden Grove rewiring/Church window guards)
	Commitment to reduced spending on other building costs
	Commitment to spending on youth (including £500 for Holiday Club)
	Commitment to spending on evangelism and outreach (including £3000 for J. John mission)

When Hugo had finished he pointed out that this budget was already out of date because of the news that Queens Road also needed a rewire. After discussion it was decided to amend the budget by taking the £1700 (assumed cost) for the Queens Road rewiring from the money set aside for church building.

Erik mentioned his concern that giving fell last year. There will be some teaching on giving in the autumn.

Following on from concerns at what was described as a high risk budget Andrew Argyle asked that the PCC receive budget updates in Hugo’s excellent new format in April, July and October. Hugo undertook to do this and will be monitoring on a monthly basis to see if anything is going awry.

It was proposed by Hugo Pollak and seconded by John Downs that "the PCC accepts the Budget for 2008 as amended." This was accepted unanimously. There was a vote of thanks to Hugo.

9. Employment of Part Time Schools Worker

The church has received £3000 from the Archbishop’s Mission Fund – this is for match funding from St. Barnabas and is for the employment of a part time schools worker.

Erik has spoken to the Baptist church and they may employ someone in such a role later in the year, but Erik feels strongly that we should go ahead independently now – the schools work is beginning to fall apart.

There was discussion about the hours of employment, the line management, the advertising etc. and the following proposal was made by Erik and seconded by Keith Barker,

"The PCC proposes that £3000 from the Kingdom Mission Giving for 2007 be set aside to match fund the money from the Archbishop of York, in order to employ a part time schools worker for one year."

Another proposal was then put forward by Erik and seconded by Neil Burgess,

The PCC proposes that a working party be set up to look at the person specification, the job description and the legal aspects of the contract for a part time schools worker and that Dave Chislett act as Line Manager for the schools worker when appointed.

This was approved unanimously.

It was decided that the members of the working party should be,

Dave Chislett (Convenor) Andy Falconer, John Downs, Sue Ravalde and Ste Corner. They are to report back to the PCC in March.

10. Any other Notified Business

None

11. Date of Next Meeting

Monday 3^rd. March 2008

13. Prayer

The meeting closed with prayer and the grace.

PCC DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – MAR 31 2008

FIRST PCC following APM – MONDAY 21^st. APRIL

Proposed dates for PCC 2008/9

21^st Apr

2^nd June

7^th July

1^st Sep

6^th Oct

3^rd Nov

1^st Dec

(5^th Jan 2009)

2^nd Feb

2^nd Mar

APM 30th Mar