Pastoral

Worship, caring for people, safe church, child protection, visiting group

·         PCC opening prayer. It was agreed that members be invited to open meetings with a prayer. Tony Weeds agreed to open July’s meeting.

·         Bill Taylor expressed his gratitude for the recent presentation made to him to mark his promotion to reader emeritus.

·         The retiring collection on behalf of Time Travelling during May had totalled £80 which, as previously agreed, has been made up to £100 from church funds and is to be sent to Southwell.

·         Pre service quiet is still largely unobserved. It was agreed that a prayer for peace, accompanied by the lighting of a peace candle, should be said 5 minutes before the start of a service. O Kerswill offered to provide a suitable candle holder and to create a rota for the saying of the prayer.

·         Roles & Jobs. A discussion took place as to the designation of responsibility for aspects of church housekeeping. It was agreed that;

Altar requisites:-ordered by C. Robinson as requested by J Plumtree

Lighting of votives:-Sides persons

Display of memorial book:-Sides persons

Linen:-L Swannack

Kitchen supplies:-P Partridge

Brass/silver cleaning:-Members of the congregation to be approached.

Glass communion vessels:-R Sendall

Flowers:-Individuals by rota

Cleaning of Perspex ringing chamber screen:-E Stockdale

Notice board:-H Richards/R Sendall

Business

Buildings; finance; staffing, other PCC responsibilities,

• Finance. T Weeds reported that there had been a marked drop in covenant receipts and investment interest. Deficit figures were anticipated for the immediate future. O Kerswill tabled some extracted figures based on the expenditure/income figures previously complied and circulated. The cost of running All Hallows is calculated at £208 per day. It was agreed that this figure be publicised  T. Weeds requested the PCC’s authority for the transfer of restricted funds from Southwell into the PCC account to pay for the repairs to the hall.

Motion: This PCC has agreed that Hall related investments held by Southwell be released and transferred to its account for work on the hall restoration. Total amount transferred equal to £26,512.30

Proposed T. Weeds Seconded H Richards: unanimous

• Correspondence. A letter requesting that the PCC reconsider its earlier decision not to hold a funding campaign in 2010 was discussed.

• NCC memorial garden grant. As this proposed project has now been abandoned it was agreed to return the grant received from a local councillor.
• Hand bell fund. The meeting was reminded that money is available for the upkeep of the bells. The meeting was informed that there is interest amongst the campanologists in resuming playing the hand bells.

• Notice boards. It was agreed that research should resume into the options for notice boards for the churchyard, especially in view of the need to inform the public of the cost of the church’s upkeep.
• Budget planning. Time to be scheduled in the July agenda for further discussion.
• Hall update. Quotes have been received for the roof work and also for the kitchen.
• Heating update. The faculty application is underway.
• Churchyard. Paperwork has been returned to London and we await the next stage of the closure process. The Archdeacon has contacted Hurtons about the internment of ashes within the churchyard and we await their response.
• Grange Rd property. The PCC was informed that the rent on this property is 4 months in arrears. P Thomas has attempted to negotiate a fair schedule of payments to resolve the matter but the occupier is proving difficult to contact. The June rent is now due and if not paid it was suggested that formal eviction procedures commence. P Thomas to seek legal advice.

Motion: This PCC agrees that if money is not forthcoming the tenancy agreement be terminated in accordance to the terms of said agreement. Propsed R Sendall seconded H Richards unanimous.

Further to the earlier report of a           bulge in the gable wall of the property, remedial work will require the upper storey be empty. It is was agreed to wait for the property to become vacant before initiating this work. Peter was thanked for his work in managing the property on behalf of the PCC.

Communications

Keeping everyone informed: Magazine, website, newsletter, publicity

·              Nothing to report.

External Liaison

With Deanery, Diocese, Elkesley Group, Methodists; RCIP; Ghana;

• Nothing to report.

Existing groups

Events, Flower people,  Wildlife Group, Bell ringers, Monday Group

·              Pentecost Festival made £424.55 towards the hall repairs.

·               Summer garden party plans are underway.

·               Harvest weekend is planned to coincide with the historic cycle ride and the scarecrow festival on Sept. 12th and 13th.             

Health and Safety

·              Monthly checks are all completed to date.

·              Headstone checks carried out in the new and closed sections of the churchyard. 682 stones checked, 8 considered unsafe. J Plumtree to attempt to contact families, if unsuccessful he will arrange for unsafe stones to be laid flat.

Any other Business

·              St Albans. English heritage have contacted Southwell to inform them that as the roof of St Albans was listed they require its replacement.

·              PA System. Concerns have been expressed as to the effectiveness of the system. An overhaul of the system is suggested. R Sendall to investigate.