Minutes of the PCC Meeting
Held on Monday 24th March 2025
| Action | ||
| 1 | The meeting opened at 19.15 with prayer from AP. | |
| 2 | Attendance | |
| · Sam Carew, Fiona Clarke (Honorary Secretary), Matt Ellson, Louise Harrison, Melanie Hartung, Ben Haughton-Scales, Livvi Haughton-Scales (Chair), Elizabeth Holbrook, Alan Palmer, David Wells, Ruth Wium.
· Apologies: Dawn Airey, Helen Cracknell |
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| 3 | Previous Minutes | |
| The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11th November 2024 were deemed to be correct by all who were at that meeting. | ||
| 4 | Matters Arising | |
| · LH advised, at the last meeting, that some families are struggling to attend a Connect Group. DA discussed the possibility of a Zoom Connect Meeting with the Facilitators and asked the congregation if it would be helpful. No one has come forward to say it would to date.
· Wednesday Connect group continues to be run by RW. · HC has produced a table of accounts that may be suitable for the church but in her absence, this can be looked at again at the next meeting, including interest rates. · The “100 for 100” has been instigated and DA has given suggestions as to how people might raise the money. · LH has liaised with Mica Gill (bursar at Glenvale school) to ensure that any literature regarding the church choir shows that she (LH) is a resident and from the Church. However, the choir has not continued at present, although hopefully it will restart when time permits. · The printing of the gazebo has been done. |
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| 5 | Update on Key Priorities – See Appendices 1 – 3. | |
| 1. Discipleship (DA)
· Connect Groups o The question was raised as to how many people attend the groups on a regular basis. The facilitators present accounted for 31, but the number who attend Carol Maycock’s group was unknown. In general, the daytime groups, of which Carol’s is one, were seen to be the most popular. o As no-one has come forward regarding the suggestion of using ZOOM for those who cannot otherwise attend, there is no plan currently to provide this.
2. Under 18s (DA-under 11s/ BHS- youth) · Wellitots o Redwell School will be repurposing the hub so Wellitots will not be able to continue there after Easter. However, several of the children will be starting school so it may be coming to a natural end. Glenvale toddlers will continue, and children could go there if their parents wish to. · Ignite o Redwell School have asked that the keys to the school, that we currently hold, are returned to them and for the church to pay for someone to unlock the school for the activity and lock up again afterwards. It is unknown as to the cost of this at present. Once the school is opened, we will have access to our shed, which is opened by our own key. However, we will not be able to access it until the premises are unlocked. o The parents could be approached to see if they are willing for the Ignite fee to be increased to cover this extra cost, although the fee has only recently been increased. o Another option would be to move Ignite to Glenvale school. o DA to speak to Claire (Redwell School Head) about other events that are to be held at the school. o The keys will not be returned until after Easter so Easter activities can proceed as planned. This is the school Trust’s decision. · Youth and Children’s Worker o The proposal re LH taking on the role has been withdrawn for the time being but may be looked at again before September. o However, fund raising for the role continues and someone will be appointed to start in September.
3. Wholeness in Jesus/ Wellbeing (DA); Prayer (JBC). – · Creations Craft Group o Congratulations for the success of the Craft Group. o Many members have enjoyed painting the rocks for the Easter Rock Hunt and have found it therapeutic and more enjoyable done as a group than solo at home, enjoying the social opportunities. o Sandi has been approached by people having breakfast in the pub, and a few from outside the church have joined the group. · Prayer Ministry o Prayer Ministry in the Sunday Services was discussed: § It was felt that this being done at the front of the church might make people feel exposed and not inclined to seek the prayer as a result. § The request for “could anyone from the prayer team come to give prayers?” was deemed to look unprofessional and unorganised and it would be better, if possible, to have a rota to say who is on prayer duty. This could be just one or two persons as clergy could possibly make up the numbers if there was a call for more on any particular Sunday. More people may be required to join the Prayer Ministry Team to enable this. § Another suggestion was for a prayer box so people could put their prayer requests in it, if they do not wish to be seen asking for prayer. § LHS/BHS to speak to DA about this and it may require a further discussion with PCC when more time is available. o It was also asked if prayer for specific things/ people could be added to the church’s closed Facebook Group. LHS/BHS to discuss with DA. · Communications for PCC o The question was raised as to the feasibility of having a WhatsApp group for PCC members. § This would help with last minute changes of plans, venue etc. as people do not always look at their emails throughout the day, and WhatsApp would alert them if something to read. § Any decisions etc could still be done via email, but a WhatsApp note, e.g., “decision for PCC please see email” etc. would prompt them to check. o LHS/BHS to discuss with DA. |
DA
LHS/BHS LHS/BHS
LHS/BHS |
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| 6 | Finance Report – See Appendix 4 | |
| Treasurers Report
· No questions were sent to HC to respond to before the meeting. · BHS asked about the difference between the expected and actual ‘Tax recovered through PGS and Gift Aid’. This was deemed to be as the Tax from the Gift Aid scheme is only applied for 6 monthly or annually and will not be included in the monthly figures at this time. · Another questioned the increase in the Parish Share but was satisfied when someone advised them that the Parish Share had not been increased for a few years due to the pandemic, so an increase was due. Treasurer’s job · Helen will be stepping down from the role after the APCM. · The church may be able to pay someone from the Diocese to do some of the accounts. · One person has agreed to do some parts of the role, but others are needed. · It was deemed that a list of the jobs that need to be done would be helpful so that people could decide if they could do part of it, e.g., banking the funds. · EH to speak to HC to ask her to specify what the expectations would be for each part of the role. · Whether, or not, the role is divided, there still needs to be a named Treasurer, who has overall responsibility. |
EH |
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| 7 | Parish Update – see appendix 5 | |
| · Bench Cushions:
o No storage. o The PCC agreed option 1 – No cushions to be purchased. If anyone from the congregation mentions it, they can be asked to bring their own cushion if they feel they need one. · Set up for Services o Need for gaps between the benches, including the front row: § To allow people access, e.g., when going to the front for communion, without needing to walk right round the outside of the benches, cross in front of the camera, step over wires etc. § Also fire safety – can’t exit as fast if having to go right round, same trip hazards etc. as above. § LHS/BHS to discuss with DA. o Clonked ankles. § Some people have reported catching their ankles on the edges of the benches. Assuming this refers to the wheel mechanism, LHS/BHS to discuss with set-up team to ensure they are turned inwards when benches are in position. § EH to discuss with Set Up Team. o Cables § Cables across the floor was raised as a safety hazard. § Cable covers have been purchased but have not been used due to the time needed to set them up each week – feeding the cables through the channel. § ME to discuss with PA and Set Up teams to see how this can be rectified. § The cable for the keyboard has broken but Alex Palmer has a backup. § Not discussed, but the HDMI cable from the screen to the laptop is too short. Using the clicker to progress the PowerPoint Slides worked well but will not work if videos are not within the slides, and for changing the volume. It is possible that the volume could be set for the video before the service, if no other slides require sound. However, it is not viable for the person on buttons to sit at the front close to the wall as it is impossible to see the screen from that position. LHS/BHS to look into this and discuss it with DA/ Sally (who produces the PowerPoints for the Service). o Standard Operating Procedures and Terms of Reference § Set Up instructions should be the same each week for whoever is on this duty. § This would help to speed things up and allow anyone to step in if needed in an emergency. § ME to meet with the PA team in April to discuss equipment/ storage of cables/ SOP’s/ TOR’s in the hope of being able to streamline the system that is currently used to make set- up efficient and more user friendly. § PA Team to produce SOP/TOR |
LHS/BHS
EH
ME
LHS/BHS
ME
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| 8 | Approving New Groups/ Activities – See Appendix 1 | |
| · New group for those struggling with faith.
o In principle, this was agreed but it raised several questions as DA was, unfortunately, unable to attend the meeting to give more information: § Are people struggling with their faith, or with the bible, or with ways to express it as what worked for them previously may not be working now? § It needs to be a group to talk things out rather than teaching/ preaching. Is this the case? § Where does it fit? Presumably separate to Alpha, Livvi’s videos, Connect Groups? Needs clarification of the scope. § Should the name be changed to reflect the scope if different? o LHS/BHS to discuss with DA and with Chris Green if needed. o PCC to decide when further information is available. |
LBH/BHS |
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| 9 | Safeguarding Report – See Appendix 6 | |
| There was a general reminder to PCC members that if John Gilyead makes contact about either DBS Checks or Safeguarding Training, to action those as soon as possible. | ||
| 10 | Deanery Synod Report – See Appendix 7 | |
| · March meeting Helen Dearnley spoke about Prison Chaplaincy.
· Safeguarding and Finance were also on the agenda as a regular item. · No further questions. |
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| 11 | Parish Administrator Contract – See Appendix 8 | |
| Proposal: to increase Amanda’s hourly rate to £12.21on the 1st April in line with the National Living Wage.
Proposer: EH. Seconder: SC. All were in favour. |
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| 12 | PCC Social | |
| This agenda item was postponed. | ||
| 13 | Dates of next meetings: | |
| PCC meetings:
· Monday 28th April 2025 19.00 (to approve APCM reports). · APCM Sunday 25th May 2025 as part of the service followed by a short PCC meeting. |
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| 14 | The meeting closed with prayers at 20.55. |
Appendix 1 – update on Key priority 1: Discipleship
- Connect Groups:
There continue to be 5 connect groups with Ruth W having taken on the one that Rob started and I then “held” for a short while.
Most groups used the SHAPE course material, which appeared to go well. Only one person has requested a follow up meeting with the clergy.
Our five groups are:
Monday afternoon (Carol Maycock).
Monday evening (Elizabeth Holbrook)
Monday evening (Ben & Livvi Haughton-Scales)
Wednesday evening (Ruth Wium)
Thursday morning (Alan Palmer)
The group facilitators continue to meet every couple of months to support one another.
- Tuesday Teaching evenings:
Currently it feels as though time is very squeezed for people and so we are not anticipating running anything further on Tuesday evenings, at least for now. Ben is looking at running another Alpha course to start at the end of January. If you know of anyone who you would like to invite, please talk to Ben ASAP.March 2025 addition
- New Group for those struggling with faith
Chris Green would like to start a group for those people who are struggling with their faith and need to talk with others about their questions or stumbling blocks. It is to be on a weekday evening for approximately 90 minutes. The plan for the group is to follow the needs of the group rather than a specific programme. Date to start and intended day to be determined.
Decision needed by PCC
Chris needs PCC approval to move forward with the new group for insurance purposes
Revd. DA.
Appendix 2 – Under 18s Ministry
There are a huge number of people involved in under 18s ministry – around 35% of the adult church! We take the research seriously that tells us that churches who invest in under 18s ministry grow, and those that don’t decline. I’ve become aware recently that the national church has a vision to see 30,000 employed children’s and youth workers in an attempt to double the number of children and young people in church on a Sunday morning by 2030!
We are very much part of this story and are doing what we can to raise the funds to employ a part time children’s and youth worker. I was able to announce to the church on Sunday 27th Oct 2024 that we have received a very large grant and had £32,000 in the ring-fenced pot for this purpose. We now have £45 000 in or promised! We are still applying for more grants, and I hope to be in a position to have appointed ready to start Sep 2025. At the moment, the money in the pot allows us to employ someone for 30 hours a week (term time only) for 3 years. Please keep praying and please consider giving towards it.
All under 18s groups continue to use the Energize resource.
Under 11s Ministry
For our under 11s and under 5s ministry, we have both a discipleship stream and an outreach stream. Our discipleship stream is primarily Sunday mornings at Sunday Club. Our outreach stream is on a Thursday for Wellitots {under 5s) and Ignite (those in years 1 to 6), and on a Monday for Glenvale toddlers (under 5s). Livvi continues to lead Ignite.
- Sunday mornings
There continues to be a great group of people who lead and help with the groups. Huge thanks to each of them for their willingness to guide the children in their individual journeys with the Lord.
- Wellitots Toddlers Group
Wellitots still meets at Redwell between 1:15pm and 3:15 pm on Thursday afternoons, during school term time. At Wellitots, we have a core group of mum’s and toddlers who come regularly. We have also had a few new parents who have come along recently. A few of those have been from Glenvale, which is nice to see. Numbers can fluctuate each week, but it’s nice to know that we have parents and toddlers who are coming back each week. It seems to be a great place to chat with parents and build relationships. A family from the group started coming to our cafe services each month at the beginning of 2024 and have continued coming very regularly.Early in 2024, Livvi started doing Bubble Church each week. Bubble church is a very short ‘church service’ with the toddlers, where we sing an action song, tell a story with puppets and say a prayer with bubbles. Earlier in the year, it seemed to be taken positively. Feedback was taken from the parents and, overall, they seemed to enjoying it. With a lot of the older children going to school in September, we lost a few of the children who seemed most engaged with it. It may be worth reviewing how we are doing at the moment to ensure it is still engaging the children. However, it has been a good opportunity to tell the toddlers (and parents) a bit of the gospel message in a fun, child-friendly way. Sandi and Gayle have helped a bit with Bubble Church with reading the story. It will also be good to consider how Bubble Church will evolve once Livvi is gone.
Sandi Rance has been a huge part of the team but feels more called towards our ministry at Glenvale Park care home and so will be leaving a big hole in the Wellitots team after Christmas
- Glenvale Park toddler group
Glenvale Care home provides a beautiful room, toy storage and refreshments for this group. Some of the residents join the group also. We have around 45 families now on the register and anywhere between 7 and 16 households can turn up on any given week! - Ignite
Ignite is an after-school kids group that meets between 6 and 7pm on Thursday evenings during school term times. The group was for kids between year 1 and 5 but has adjusted to between year 1 and 6 now Ignite Youth no longer runs, as this group had been for year 6 and up. Since September 2024, Livvi has been leading this group. There has been a healthy group of volunteers who are helping. Four new volunteers have started helping regularly since September. Our current team of volunteers are Louise Harrison, Ruth Gilbert, Alan Palmer, Elizabeth Holbrook, Judy Meleleu, Mope Alo and Dawn Airey.The first week back, Ignite had 25 kids who attended. Livvi did an assembly at Redwell advertising Ignite after this session and, at our next session, the numbers jumped to 45. This was very exciting! However, we did need to adjust things to cater for a much higher number of kids. We had to increase the number of volunteers. A few new volunteers kindly agreed to help. The volunteers and I also considered how to best manage the behaviour, particularly among the older boys who felt hard to control at times. We were also aware of smaller children who may have felt intimidated. We tried dividing them up into groups for different games, which appeared to help a little. We also started doing the ‘star of Ignite,’ which is an award given to children who are behaving well. As we draw near to the end of the term, we feel the behaviour has improved and we have begun to build good relationships with the children. We are trying, at the moment, to build a good structure and make clear expectations around behaviour. We are going to look to create values together as a group after Christmas, to give the children ownership over these expectations.
Before Autumn half term, the numbers stabilised to an average of 30 each week. After the half term, the numbers decreased to around 20 each week. We have certainly noticed a drop in numbers as we have drawn closer to Christmas. We are not quite sure why this is. The last Thursday of the term we hosted a puppet show, which Livvi’s mum delivered and invited the parents to this as well. We offered refreshments and Christmas crafts for the children after the show. Not as many kids turned up as we hoped, but a few parents did, and it was nice to have a chance to speak with some of them. They seemed to enjoy the session and were not in a rush to get away at the end. One thing we are going to keep considering is how we can build relationships with the parents, carers and other family members, as well as the kids.
We are also planning on doing an assembly at Glenvale School too.
March 2025 update – Ignite, our after-school children’s group, has had an average of 25-30 kids each week since September and 80 regulars on our register. We are getting kids from both Redwell and Glenvale and assemblies have definitely been a key factor in ensuring our numbers stay steady. As well as this, current kids are also inviting their friends too. New children join every week.
This last term, the team have been thinking about how we can introduce prayer, worship and the bible to the kids. Every other week they teach a Bible story.
As well as this, we have introduced an action worship song at the beginning of every session.
We play worship music when they arrive and during activities. Livvi now asks the kids how they feel at the beginning of the session by getting them to use their thumbs. Livvi then prays they will feel God’s joy. Louise Harrison has also come up with great activities such as Bible bingo and activities to help them pray. This has been a creative way to weave prayer and our Christian faith throughout everything we do.
We have also been looking at how we can build relationships with the parents. Last term, we did a Christmas puppet show for the whole family. It was not as well attended as we hoped, but some families did come and there were good chats with the parents over coffee and cake afterwards. This term, we are filming an Easter film telling the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection with the help of Livvi’s Mum, Wendy. We will invite parents to watch this film as part of the final session before Easter. Please pray this will be well attended and there will be a good response from the parents to the gospel message.
In building on this, another question for our team is how we might bridge the gap between Ignite and church. By building relationships and sharing openly our faith with both kids and parents, we pray that God might do something in their hearts that leads them to seeking Him. We will consider how we might encourage the parents to come to church with different strategies, such as getting the Ignite kids to be involved in a song or drama at our Cafe service or maybe playing a film we have produced with the kids.
We feel thankful for what God is already doing with this group. Please pray we will have a sense of where the Holy Spirit is leading us.
- School’s work
We continue to have a very good relationship with Redwell School which means between Ben, Livvi and I we are present on a regular basis, either through assemblies, year 6 transition sessions, wellbeing groups, parent evenings and the various fayre’s and school productions. This year we ran Narnia Prayer Spaces in Redwell School the week starting 25th Nov for year 5. The mixed year 5/6 class from Glenvale School also walked up to Redwell to enjoy the resource too. It was so appreciated, and we have booked to do it again next year.
Glenvale Church of England school finally opened in September 2024. I’m in every Thursday morning delivery collective worship and building a warm relationship with the Head. She and I are planning on meeting monthly and offering a drop in for parents.
March 2025 addition
Extra for PCC to consider and make a decision on re Children’s and Youth Support Worker
I have been giving a lot of thought to the appointment of a children’s and youth worker ready for September. Partly because it’s really hard to actually find someone! In days gone by there were quite a lot who had completed their training and ready for employment but when the finances of churches dropped, so did employment of children’s and youth workers, and so did the training courses that equipped them.
I have talked this through with our diocesan Gen2 team (and will continue talking with them as they have agreed to help me think this through and walk with me) and I have also spoken with Revd Canon Nick McKee who is the National Director for Ministry, part of the National Church of England leadership team (Nick came to our diocesan clergy conference in November as the representative from the national church). Nick pointed out to me that even if we get the finances, we are unlikely to find someone to employ. It was a sobering message. He was also very encouraging in that he reminded us that the national church has a vision to appoint 30,000 children’s and youth workers and double the number of under 16s in our churches on a Sunday by 2030. Therefore, they are having to think hard about how they/we achieve this. I’m aware, for example, that Pete White who used to lead the Gen2 team in our diocese, has moved on to work with Cuddesdon college (through a 3 year initial grant) to develop a new training pathway for children’s and youth workers. Needless to say, I am in close contact with him and there should be a choice of pathways available from this September at Cuddesdon. More information to follow. I had a long conversation with Nick at the clergy conference which included issues around finance, with an offer from him for me to go back to him should the cost of training someone be prohibitive. No promises of course…..but I will definitely go back to him!
All of this set me on a trail of not only working to raise the necessary funds but to also begin to think strategically about how we do this and crucially, who do we invest in.
So, you know what we’re doing to raise the required funds…I’ll say more on this in a moment……but in terms of who…..
-Firstly, we do not need to advertise the post (I’ve checked with the diocesan office, the PCC can employ whoever they want to employ).
-Secondly, we have someone in our midst who has a passion, call and growing expertise in this area – Louise Harrison.
Louise and I have had numerous conversations, and we are at the point where she and Rory would really like to pursue this possibility with us.
Back to the finances & training:
Below is part of an email I sent to the Gen2 team to bring them up to speed and the support/strategic thinking I would like to do with them.
“There is quite a lot of nuance and detail that I would appreciate speaking to someone about, which may include how we get to the right level of finance as well as the specific pathway.
In terms of finance, we’ve got £52,200 in the pot (or promised) for this role so far, we have another 3 grants to hear back from, and we have a project this year as a congregation to raise £10,000 towards it. I am hoping that we will be nearer £65,000 by September. Louise currently earns around £22,000 a year and needs to maintain this. Another complicating factor is that roughly 3 years after we start the role, she and her husband will need to re-apply for their mortgage and therefore she needs to have a secure role, so a 3-year contract won’t be possible for her, she’ll need a 5 year contract.
In terms of a specific pathway, the different possibilities I see are:
- Option 1) Go straight for employment
- Option 2) For the first year, Louise to work in current (or alternative employment) for half the money she needs to earn (so £11,000), and she does a 2 day a week internship with us (which Chad I think you said the diocesan grant for an intern can now be released at £150 a week, even if the intern is part time), and out of the pot of money we have we pay the rest to make it up to the other £11,000 for the first year. The following year or two could include an official training aspect (Cuddesdon) as part of her hours and we pay £22,000 a year from year 2.
- Option 3) Start the Cuddesdon training part time this coming September (talking to Pete it looks like there are going to be different pathways) and work the other part of the time with us. We will need to pay £22,000 a year from the outset.”
Clearly, in order to do this, £65,000 won’t be enough for 5 years or to pay someone £22,000 a year plus NI/pension/expenses/training fees. What I hope to work out with the Gen2 team is what is the shortfall, and how we can cover it. We may for example be able to persuade Nick McKee to release some central funds. We don’t yet know what Bishop Debbie is planning strategically and which pots of money she is going to apply for and for what purpose, but we do know what the national churches priority is! So, we may for example be able to persuade Bishop Debbie to ‘support us’ ahead of any other grant money she may or may not apply for on behalf of the diocese. These are questions and things I am in the process of working through.
Decision needed by PCC
What I need from the PCC is a ‘yes’ that I can continue pursuing this in the light of Louise becoming our children’s and youth worker should we able to make it work.
Revd. DA
Youth:
The poster above highlights the church’s current youth work activities. Sunday Youth occurs on the second and fourth Sunday mornings of the month during the service. During this time there is in-depth bible teaching and discussion. We currently do not have enough leaders to run Sunday youth on third Sundays in the month and have been seeking to use this as a ‘Serving Sunday’, encouraging the young people to help with various aspects of the morning service (such as assisting with children’s groups, playing in the worship band, serving tea and coffee, and washing up). The new Youth Band has now met for three practices, and we are working towards them leading worship in church for the first time at the June café service. We’ll continue to explore other serving opportunities for the young people and are open to ideas church members might have. The number of young people attending on Sunday mornings varies from week to week.
Connect Youth is our discipleship group, which meets fortnightly. Ben, Livvi, Dawn, Bruna and Daniela lead this group. We begin with a game and snacks, then have a time of worship, Bible teaching/discussion and prayer. 18 young people have attended the group so far this year, with an average attendance of 9. Most of the young people are connected with church, and a prayer for this year is that they might start to invite friends from outside the group to build friendships and explore faith in Jesus. This term we have been following a series on Christian Lifestyle using the church’s Energize resource and have run sessions on priorities, integrity, humility and influence. We have continued to hold half-termly social evenings, including a games night social on 23rd February.
A group will be going to Satellites again this year at the Bath & West Showground from 6th-11th August 2025. This was a fantastic time away for the young people last summer; the range of activities provided was excellent and the young people all had stories of encountering Jesus in new and significant ways.
Currently 6 young people have signed up to go, including 2 for whom this will be their first time, which is really exciting!
Please pray for the following:
- The many young people we are in contact with to come to faith and grow as followers of Jesus.
- Give thanks for those who faithfully support the church youth work activities and pray for the development of more leaders with a heart and calling to serve young people.
- The families of our young people – may they also be reached through our ministry.
- Give thanks for the musical talents of the new Youth Band and pray that the young people involved would grow as worshippers of God and develop their confidence in leading others in worship.
- Thank God that the number of young people going to Satellites this coming summer has doubled since the last PCC Youth Report and pray that even now a few more might sign up to go.
Decision needed by PCC
No decisions are needed from PCC at this time.
Revd. BH-S
Appendix 3 – update on Key priority 3: Wholeness in Jesus/ Wellbeing
- Bereavement Support Group
We continue to have our bereavement Facebook group which has 86 people part of it. It would be a wonderful opportunity for someone with the passion and skills in this area to really grow this ministry. - Care
We’ve moved away from the language of pastoral care and more towards Christian friendship which I think has been helpful. So, the main way of supporting one another continues to be via Connect Groups. It would be helpful to have some feedback from PCC about how this is working and being experienced by the church? - Creations Craft Group
Elizabeth and Sandi start a new craft group early December on Monday mornings at the Ock ‘n’ Dough. Elizabeth can update PCC at the meeting.
Decision needed by PCC
No decisions are needed from PCC at this time.
Revd. D.A.
- Prayer
Prayer ministry has been quiet of late with not many people coming forward for prayer during services.
There are not many of the Prayer Ministry Team always available for prayer as all the members are participating in other duties during services – leading/preaching, worship band, children’s activities, refreshments etc. We may need to seek more members for the team.
It has been very difficult for me to meet the deadline for the weekly prayer pointers that are issued on Fridays due to my work and personal commitments. However, Chris Gledhill has now volunteered to take over this element of prayer ministry and prayers have been issued for the last few weeks. I am extremely grateful to Chris for taking this on, and I’m happy to see that the prayer points are fresh and revitalised and the addition of a point to ponder for each week is a brilliant idea.
I will continue to oversee the prayer chain and list of names for intercession and will liaise with Chris for this.
Jackie Brooks-Cheesman
March 2025 update
Weekly prayers have resumed on the website and an extra item “a point to ponder” has been added, as well as the usual “Praise God for, Please Pray For, Pray especially for and wisdom from scripture.”
FC pp Jackie Brooks-Cheesman
Appendix 4 – Finance Report – TREASURER’S REPORT
March 2025: At the present time we have £80,255 in the account. The non restricted element is £1,954 and restricted is £79,301.
| Non-Restricted money against this year’s budget is: | Expected end of Feb | ||||
| Receipts | BUDGET 2025 | 05/03/2025 | % actual | ||
| Planned Giving | PGS | 50000 | 8221 | 8333 | 16 |
| Collections | Online | 5000 | 916 | 833 | 18 |
| Collections | Loose Plate | 8000 | 2192 | 1333 | 27 |
| Sum Up | 2000 | 196 | 333 | 10 | |
| Tax recovered through PGS and Gift Aid | 10000 | 368 | 1667 | 4 | |
| Other receipts/Fees | 1000 | 473 | 167 | 47 | |
| Fundraising | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Church activities | 2500 | 391 | 417 | 16 | |
| TOTAL | 78500 | 12757 | 13083 | 16 | |
| Payments | BUDGET 2025 | ||||
| Parish Share | 70207 | 6000 | 11701 | 9 | |
| Missionary Giving | 2760 | 690 | 460 | 25 | |
| Hall hire | 6500 | 465 | 1083 | 7 | |
| Clergy and staff costs | 3500 | 630 | 583 | 18 | |
| Church running costs | 4000 | 607 | 667 | 15 | |
| TOTAL | 86967 | 8392 | 14495 | 10 | |
As you can see our income is slightly below what we thought we would receive. Do remember we set a deficit budget. We are expecting another invoice from the school for hall hire. Missionary giving has been paid for March (3 months). As always, a more detailed report is also attached below.
| RESTRICTED MONEY HELD IN GENERAL FUND | ||||||||
| 21/10/2024 | 05/11/2024 | 31/12/2024 | 31/01/2025 | 05/03/2025 | ||||
| 1 | Discretionary Fund | 434 | 434 | 434 | 434 | 434 | ||
| 2 | Wages/Expenses Youth worker | 4500 | 4500 | 4500 | 4500 | 4500 | ||
| 3 | Grant and Donations for Youth Worker | 6050 | 9025 | 9025 | 16235 | 24265 | ||
| 4 | 100/100 | 388 | ||||||
| 5 | Ignite Youth | 286 | 286 | 286 | 286 | 286 | ||
| 6 | Building Fund | 49064 | 49064 | 49064 | 49064 | 49064 | ||
| 7 | Wreath event | 250 | 425 | 222 | 152 | 152 | ||
| 8 | Interest | 76 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 76 | ||
| 9 | PA donation | |||||||
| 10 | Other | 345 | 195 | 0 | 139 | 139 | ||
| TOTAL | 61005 | 64005 | 63607 | 70886 | 79304 | |||
| Notes | ||||||||
| 1 | Discretionary Fund is the money that has been given over several years to support individuals at the discretion of the vicar and the churchwardens. | |||||||
| 2 | Wages/Expenses Youth worker this money was given when Alice (an intern) joined us in 2022, and this money was given to support her wages and expenses but never fully spent. | |||||||
| 3 | Grant for Youth worker this is the money we have just received from the Diocese for a Youth worker (£13,000), Benefact Trust (£7200) and donations from congregation | |||||||
| 4 | 100/100 through bank and box | |||||||
| 5 | Ignite Youth this is the money which has been collected over several years as surplus from the Ignite Youth tuck shop | |||||||
| 6 | Money transferred to General Account on Building Account closure | |||||||
| 7 | Wreath making, income was £925 and expenditure so far £773, leaving a profit of £152 | |||||||
| 9 | We had a donation of £1000 for the PA equipment that has now been spent | |||||||
Details of Banks’ different accounts that HC has been looking into for suitability for the church’s account.
| Our income is above £50K so some of these accounts are not suitable.
|
Income max | Pay in | |
| Bank of Scotland | Free everyday banking for groups with an annual income of less than £50,000. Charges apply above this threshold. | No | |
| 2. Co-operative Bank | Available to charities, CICs, co-ops, and credit unions with annual income under £1 million. Restrictions on cash and cheque deposits over £100k and 5k respectively. | Post office/ bank | |
| 3. Barclays | Free banking services for non-profits with an annual income under £100k. Restrictions apply for organisations with more than three full-time employees. | Bank | |
| 4. HSBC | Free banking if annual turnover is less than £100k. Audit certification support provided. | Post office/ Bank | |
| 5. Metro Bank | Free Community account for income under £2 million. A charge applies after 200 free transactions. | Bank | |
| 6. Lloyds Bank | Free banking for income under £50k. Positive account balance required to maintain free services. | No | |
| 7. RBS | Free banking for non-profits with income under £100k. Additional benefits for private businesses. | ?? | |
| 8. NatWest | Free everyday banking for income under £100k for 18 months. Post-18 months, standard rates apply. | ||
| 9. Reliance Bank | Free banking if the monthly transaction does not exceed £2,500, with an average balance of at least £5,000, and other conditions. | No | |
| 10. TSB | Free banking for groups with a turnover of less than £50,000. No charge for withdrawals. | No | |
| 11. Santander | Free banking for incomes under £250k. Must be UK residents aged over 18.
Not available at present |
This was a quick search of accounts. It was quite hard to find out information about banking cash so only included those which were specific about using the Post office. We looked at the Co-op once.
At present we do get interest with CAF bank 0.20% gross/AER* (variable) interest daily if account is in credit. But a £5.00 fee every month
Restricted – Restricted money from specific collections (Restricted) Fund
Receipts
Collections and other giving
Building Fund money — 49,063
Total Collections and other giving — 49,063
Other voluntary receipts
Administrator role — 350
Under 18 worker 15,240 9,025
100/100 388 —
Total Other voluntary receipts 15,628 9,375
Other receipts
PA equipment 1,000 —
Collections — 640
Total Other receipts 1,000 640
Activities for generating funds
Fundraising — 925
Total Activities for generating funds — 925
Receipts from church activities
Ignite Youth work income — 333
Total Receipts from church activities — 333
Total receipts 16,628 60,337
Payments
Costs of fetes & other events — 776
Total Cost of generating funds — 776
Clergy and Staffing costs
Discretionary Fund — 300
Administrator wages — 497
Total Clergy and Staffing costs — 797
Church Running Expenses
Ignite Expenses — 48
Church running Expenses — 195
PA & IT equipment 76 35
PA and IT equipment 925 —
Social events — 301
Gifts — 640
Hall hire 70 —
Books — 94
Total Church Running Expenses 1,072 1,315
Total payments 1,072 2,890
Excess of Receipts over Payments 15,555 57,447
Brought forward balance 63,746 6,299
Total carried forward balance 79,301 63,746
General – General fund (Unrestricted) Fund
Receipts
Planned giving
Gift Aid – Bank 8,221 51,296
Total Planned giving 8,221 51,296
Collections and other giving
Loose Plate eligible for gift aid 2,192 10,876
Collection online giving 916 6,244
Sum Up giving at church 196 1,469
Total Collections and other giving 3,305 18,589
Other voluntary receipts
Refreshments at service — 281
Donations — 218
Total Other voluntary receipts — 499
Gift Aid recovered
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid 368 8,652
Total Gift Aid recovered 368 8,652
Other receipts
Collections — 168
Total Other receipts — 168
Investment Income
Interest — 43
Total Investment Income — 43
Receipts from church activities
Ignite Income 192 2,055
Wellitots Income 89 256
Glenvale Tots 110 120
Fees for weddings and funerals 473 282
Total Receipts from church activities 864 2,714
Total receipts 12,760 81,964
Payments
Cost of generating funds
Costs of fetes & other events — 101
Total Cost of generating funds — 101
Missionary and Charitable Giving
Giving to missionary societies 690 2,760
Carol singing expenses — 122
Total Missionary and Charitable Giving 690 2,882
Parish Share
Parish Share 6,000 62,500
Total Parish Share 6,000 62,500
Clergy and Staffing costs
Working expenses of vicar 3 42
Vicar’s telephone 68 408
Mileage of Vicar 63 490
Administrator wages 495 2,171
Total Clergy and Staffing costs 630 3,112
Church Running Expenses
Parish training and mission — 140
Ignite Expenses — 28
Glenvale Tots — 177
Church running Expenses 511 1,775
Bank Charges 10 65
Refreshments at services — 29
Support services — 300
The sum up machine costs 42 321
Copying costs 43 1,104
Upkeep of services – candles, communium — 101
Stationery — 81
Gifts — 100
Hall hire 465 6,163
Books — 162
Total Church Running Expenses 1,072 10,552
Total payments 8,392 79,149
Excess of Receipts over Payments 4,367 2,815
Brought forward balance (2,412) (9,263)
Transfers to/(from) — 4,035
Total carried forward balance 1,954 (2,412)
Statement of Financial Activities
The Statement of Financial Accounts shows that we have £61,333 in the account on the 1st January. It also shows the amounts in the restricted and the unrestricted elements of that account. You will notice that the unrestricted element is overdrawn by £2,272.
This is due to me paying £3,000 towards the Parish Share on the 31st December. I had expected the money which I had paid into the account on the Monday would have been cleared by then, unfortunately it hadn’t.
I will verbally inform the PCC of the amounts in the account at the next meeting. This does mean we have paid £62,500 towards our Parish Share of £67,181. Parish Share for next year has increased to £70,207.
BUDGET 2025
I have put this years’ figures alongside last years and our budget for next year. Some numbers are highlighted as these are those where we haven’t matched the income this year that we hope to next year, such as the card reader income and recovering tax. Or with expenditure spent more this year than we are hoping to next year.
Appendix 5 – Parish Update
Timeline for moving Sunday worship to Glenvale Church of England School:
Jan 2025 – I have continued discussions with Ruth Walker-Green (CEO of PDET). Glenvale School still hasn’t yet been able to join PDET, it is hoped this will happen the 1st Feb 2025. In the meantime, I have a meeting booked with a representative of PDET (Dan) and the head of the school (Louise Bilkhu) on the 15th Jan to look at the details.
From my discussions with Ruth Walker-Green it may be that the Sunday afternoon I requested to set things up and invite the leaders of each area to visit the school will now be the 9th Feb rather than the 2nd. I will hopefully be able to clarify this at my meeting on the 15th Jan.
We are still working towards our final service at Redwell, being the 2nd March. It is hoped we will then have 2 Sunday mornings to worship and iron things out with an official ‘start date’ of the 23rd March when Archdeacon Richard will preach.
There has been a request for those who wish to, to walk from Redwell School to Glenvale School on one of the Sundays between 9th and 23rd March. This feels symbolic of the move. We will look at facilitating this.
Revd. D.A.
Appendix 5a – Church spend re move to Glenvale
Email from Dawn
Thur 06/02/25 16.36
Afternoon all,
I have the keys for Glenvale School!
As the team leaders start to organise things this Sunday afternoon in preparation for our move to Glenvale, it is likely that we will need to buy some new equipment. I had planned on talking about this with the PCC but had to cancel due to illness.
For example, we will need a second first aid box, but I am anticipating more requests once after Sunday afternoon. I would also like to get a very large banner made (which we have permission to tie to the fence at the school) as a temporary sign until permanent signage is done. And put this up in preparation for us starting worship at Glenvale. The cost of the banner from CPO is £170.
Please can we have permission from the PCC to buy equipment up to say £500 (in total) from the building fund to buy the items necessary for the move, without needing to keep coming back to PCC? It will only be used for necessary equipment and the building fund seems the right pot to use, as they will all be things that would have been bought should we have built our own building.
Please can you respond ‘reply all’ to this email, Fiona can then take a note and add it to the minutes at the next PCC meeting!! Thank you!
Every Blessing
Dawn
Replies: –
| Name | Replied date | Agreement? Y/N |
| Sam Carew | 7/2 | Y |
| Helen Cracknell | 7/2 | Y but from Restricted funds not building fund |
| Matthew Ellson | 8/2 | Y but from Restricted funds not building fund |
| Louise Harrison | 6/2 | Y |
| Melanie Hartung | 7/2 | Y |
| Ben Haughton-Scales | 13/2 | Y but from Restricted funds not building fund |
| Livvi Haughton-Scales | 13/2 | Y but from Restricted funds not building fund |
| Elizabeth Holbrook | 12/2 | Y but from Restricted funds not building fund |
| Alan Palmer | 7/2 | Y but from Restricted funds not building fund |
| David Wells | 8/2 | Y but from Restricted funds not building fund |
| Ruth Wium | 13/2 | Y but from Restricted funds not building fund |
Louise
Thu 06/02/2025 19:52
Hi Dawn
I’m happy with this as a spend. I know there will be a few things for Sunday clubs that would be useful so we can split resources between ignite at Redwell and youth work and our new base at Glenvale. Thanks
Louise x
Sam
Fri 07/02/2025, 00:05
I’m happy with the spend too
Cheers
Sam
Mel
Fri 07/02/2025 09:11
Completely agree with the spend and the location the money is coming from
Helen
Fri 07/02/2025 09:24
If the church needs certain things to operate at Glenvale then they should be bought.
But I don’t think the money should come out of the restricted building fund, this money is allocated to building works not the bits and bobs inside a building. I know there are probably only a few members of the congregation remaining who remembers the launch of the building find and have given money to it; it was always just for the building not the inside stuff.
We have some money in the restricted fund which is not allocated to anything – wreath event profit, interest and other, totalling £367 this should be used first.
| Wreath event | 152 |
| Interest | 76 |
| Other | 139 |
This is where I feel the money should come from. Also tidies up the restricted monies.
Helen
Alan
Fri 07/02/25 10.25
I agree entirely with Helen,
Alan
David
Sat 08/02/2025 06:22
I am fine with the purchase of the banner (do we know how long the temporary arrangement is due to last?).
Helen makes a good point about the principle of the Building Fund and offers a good solution re alternative funding. It might mean further discussions but for me, that’s responsible accounting.
Regards,
David
Matt
Sat 08/02/2025 10:20
Good morning, all,
Agree with the purchase of the required items and possible use of ‘restricted funds’ rather than the building fund (which was for infra).
With our church finances frequently being placed in stretch perhaps we need a conversation on how the building fund can be put to good use (within certain boundaries). Having <50,000 sitting in an account and unable to be used for me represents bad practice.
Kindest regards,
Matt
Elizabeth
Wed 12/02/2025 20:13
Dear Fiona
I do apologise for not responding sooner. I agree that it is sensible to allow for necessary equipment to be purchased without further permission needed. Helen’s suggested source of funds makes absolute sense.
Best wishes
Elizabeth
Ruth
Wed 12/02/2025 22:37
Hello Fiona
I would like to echo everything Elizabeth has just said, including sending my own apologies for not replying sooner.
Best wishes
Ruth Wium
Livvi
Thu 13/02/2025 08:07
Apologies for late reply.
Happy for money to be paid for these things out of Helen’s suggested funds.
Ben
Thu 13/02/2025 09:20
Hi all,
Apologies also for the delayed response. I agree with the suggested approach for the needed items to be paid for from the funds Helen has identified.
God bless,
Ben
Appendix 5b – Proposal re bench cushions for Glenvale.
Hi all, Dawn asked me to look into cushions for the bench seats at Glenvale School for use at Sunday morning services. I found different options depending on cost and whether they need to cover the benches as a whole, or whether there could be more than one cushion per bench. Dawn has advised that usually there will be 16 benches out at each service, plus the red chairs.
When I looked at the cushions, ones I saw on Amazon start at £4.15, but that is only about 30cm square. When you customise them to the size we would need (30 x 244 x 3cm) with cotton linen covers, no piping, non-slip bottom they come out at between £72. And £83.19, or possibly even more, for each cushion.
About this item
- [50D sponge with high elasticity] The 50D sponge with moderate hardness and softness makes the bench cushion seat pad soft but not easy to deform. It can support your body and relieve the tension between your body and hard surfaces such as the floor, bay window and wooden furniture. It is comfortable when you have to sit for a long time.
- [Custom-made bench cushion] We offer you several colours to choose from. You can choose the right colour according to your home style. Available in four different thicknesses: 3 cm / 5 cm / 8 cm / 10 cm. All sizes and colours can be customized via the “Customize Now” channel. Please pay attention to your email address after ordering.
- [Removable and washable fabric] Linen fabric, breathable and skin-friendly, no pilling, more wear-resistant. Robust zipper design, the seat cover can be easily removed and machine washed. The sponge can be easily removed from the cushion cover. A mild detergent and warm water below 40 degrees can be used. Clean, do not bleach.
- [Anti-slip design] Our stylish seat cushions have non-slip rubber on the back, so you don’t have to worry about the cushion slipping when you sit down. We also have three customized options, including two lacing, four lacing and stretch lock, to choose your preferred fastening method to keep the saddle in place. Enjoy the softness and comfort of this reliable seat.
- [Wide application] You can use it indoors or outdoors, very suitable for kitchen, swing, garden, terrace, lawn, living room, floor, bedroom, you can also put it on the grass to enjoy the sun
However, If you don’t mind different colours and 2 to 3 cushions per bench, you can get them from Temu., e.g.
At this size you would need 48 cushions (3 to a bench) and at this price (£8.52) would equate to £408.96.
Or for 2 cushions per bench – 32 x £13.01 (see below) = £416.32.
However, cushions from Temu are subject to availability at the time and would, therefore, need to be ordered quickly when found and colours as available.
Decision needed from PCC re what option to take.
Options:
- No cushions.
- One cushion per bench – customised option only one available. Approx £85.00 to £100.00 per cushion x 16 = £1360.00 to £1600.00.
- Two cushions per bench. Colours as available. Likely to be more than one colour cushions needed. Possibility of someone sitting on the join where the cushions meet and them separating or becoming uncomfortable. Approx £13.00 to £15.00 per cushion x 32 = £416.00 to £480.00.
- Three cushions per bench. Issues as for two cushions per bench. Approx £9.00 to £10.00 per cushion x 48 = £432.00 to £480.00.
FC – PCC Secretary
Appendix 6 – Safeguarding Report
Jan 2025 – There are 10 people who need to renew their DBS. (For your information, there is no ‘renewal’ system, people have to reapply from the beginning again. Also, the Update service wasn’t recognised by Peterborough Diocese, but I have contacted them about it to see if they are reconsidering this position, as at least one of our volunteers has the Update service through work). Of these 10, three have started the process. Two members of the PCC are currently updating their Safeguarding Training.
John Gilyead.
March 2025 update
Since the last PCC report, 6 people’s DBS certificates have come through. There are several more that will be coming up in the next couple of months for renewal. One member of the PCC has completed the safeguarding training. Currently, most members of the PCC have completed the training. I have checked with the diocese, and they are still not accepting use of the Update Service for DBSs.
Appendix 7 – Deanery Synod Report
Jan 2025 – The last meeting I attended was on the 12 November when Bishop Debbie was the main speaker.
She addressed the news about that The Archbishop of Canterbury resignation which had just happened. She acknowledged that all church members and leaders should take responsibility for safeguarding.
The main points of her address were as follows.
- She spoke about her early life in Scotland and her road to ministry.
After attending St Andrew’s University, she gained experience in Management training with the NHS and also worked as a Charity Worker.
- Prior to becoming Bishop of Peterborough, Bishop Debbie was Bishop of Southampton and acting Bishop of Winchester.
- The Bishop wishes to develop a clear vision and strategy for achieving this within the diocese.
- Thought needs to be given for where we are within the diocese, what is missing and how we can work together both within the diocese and within our deanery.
- Ideas for future development included a focus on prayer for 2025, a bible day and possible focus on discipleship in 2026.
Points from remainder of meeting was the Diocese’s budget for next year is likely to show a deficit of £2.5million and Parish Share will increase by 3% approximately.
The importance of safeguarding was highlighted in churches and it being the responsibility of all and not just the Safeguarding Officer. All DBS should be up to date for all PCC members, as well as members of the Worship Teams within churches.
March 2025 update
Deanery Synod – Wednesday 8th January
Unable to attend so notes taken from minutes of meeting
Finance
Parish Share in 2024 we are looking at similar figures to 2023.
Safeguarding
Following a lot of National-level sadness on safeguarding, please encourage your PSO, safeguarding teams and local teams. If you have the opportunity, write to the DSA who are speaking up for victims and survivors Don’t forget to complete the DBS applications for those who need them, and stay on top of your training at all times.
Future meetings
Wednesday 14 May ………………. St Nicholas, Great Doddington
Tuesday 16 September ………… St Mary’s, Wellingborough
Wednesday 12 November ……. St Mark’s, Wellingborough
Talk was about Emerging Mission given by Revds. Katrina Hutchins, Dawn Airey, Debbie Smith-Wilds and Jackie Buck
Deanery Synod also met on 11th March – again unable to attend.
HC.
March 2025 addition
Appendix 8 – Parish Administrator wages
Decision needed from PCC
The National Living Wage is going up to £12.21on the 1st April and so the PCC needs to agree to increase Amanda’s hourly rate.
Revd. D.A.
