Minutes of the PCC Meeting
Held on Monday 21st July 2025
| Action | ||
| 1 | The meeting opened at 19.10 with prayer. | |
| 2 | Attendance | |
| · Dawn Airey (Chair), Chiaz Alozie, Fiona Clarke (PCC Secretary), Matt Ellson (Vice Chair), Ben Haughton-Scales, Livvi Haughton-Scales, David Meleleu, David Wells, Ruth Wium. Sam Carew joined via Zoom.
· Apologies: Alan Palmer, Melanie Hartung. |
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| 3 | Previous Minutes | |
| The Minutes of the Meetings held on 28th April 2025, and 25th May 2025 (immediately after the APCM) were deemed to be correct by all who were at those meetings and signed off by ME and DA respectively. . | ||
| 4 | Matters Arising | |
| · Service leader to attach the presentation slides to the order of service email sent to participants. DA to advise them.
· Having investigated it, there does not seem to be a suitable live system to update the rotas. Church Suite was not fit for purpose. |
DA
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| 5 | Guidelines and Purpose of PCC | |
| DA spoke to the team about the purpose of the PCC, the roles it should play and the way the meetings should run. The most important items to note are below:
· The PCC is an oversight and a legal body and together they are responsible for the overall wellbeing, practical as well as spiritual, of their church, the church members, and the church buildings. · The PCC has a duty to promote the mission of the church within the wider community, is responsible for the finances of the parish and for church vision. · It steers the life of the church in its mission, witness and service in the parish. · Please prioritise the meetings and coming to APCM. o please put the dates in your diaries. o At this years’ APCM there were very few PCC members there and that communicates something to the congregation. · It’s really important that everyone voices an opinion. · Individual ministry and day to day decisions are made by the vicar and the wardens so do talk to them, and they will discuss it at their monthly vicar/wardens meeting. · If you’d like something discussed at PCC meetings, then please talk to the vicar 2 weeks before a PCC meeting. o A decision can then be made as to whether it needs to be an agenda item or discussed/sorted another way. o It gives time to collate any necessary information and cascade it for all members to read ahead of the meeting. o There is no time for AOBs as it is a tight schedule. · Reports from the ministry leaders, other necessary information and any decisions that are required, are sent to PCC members a week before the meetings so that everyone can read the information, pray through the decisions and come to the meeting ready to ask questions, make comments, discuss and make decisions. · Some years we have a leadership away day and invite others from church, ministry leads etc. DA then noted some of the things the PCC has looked at since she became the incumbent including: · Writing a new vision. · Looking at what to do with our land. · Considered a Parish weekend away. · Church finances. · Extending the parish boundaries: o We spent 2 years trying to re-order All Saints building. o We changed the name of the church. o We decided on a new church logo. o Looked at what enables a healthy growing church. o The last term of the PCC was making the huge decision to move Sunday morning worship to Glenvale School. Quite a lot of time was spent on that including considering: § Our vision of connecting, with Jesus, with each other, with the wider community. § Our model of being church – · There are different ways of being church, some have everything in one space, usually their own building. · Others, like us, have a base and then community missional hubs for mission, and for our groups and activities. Moving forward, the outstanding piece of work is to make a decision about our land opposite the Ock n dough. FC to add this to the agenda for September’s meeting. |
All
All
All
All
FC |
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| 6 | Update on Key Priorities – See Appendices 1 – 3. | |
| 1. Discipleship (DA)
· Connect Groups: o Some families tend to come to café church on 1st Sunday of each month. o For August/ September, Livvi may stop and talk to families after church about Connect groups, possibly sending an email to families beforehand. · Parenting for Faith o This is a course for Parents, giving them the opportunity to discuss faith and raising their children in faith. The point was raised that it may be prudent to ask parents what they think to see how many agree.
2. Under 18s (DA-Under 11s/ BH-S- Youth/ LH-S Ignite) · 3rd Sundays o Young people are helping out with areas of the service, e.g. setup. Someone needs to co-ordinate who goes where/ does what. It is hoped that the organisation of this will improve when a Youth Worker has been appointed. · Youth Worker o There have been some enquiries about the Youth Worker Post but no applications to date. o DA and ME will be interviewing plus one other. o The closing date for applications has been extended until 11th August. · Ignite o The cost of holding Ignite at Redwell School: § Previously it was £35. § It increased to £50 when the keys were returned following the move of the Sunday Service to Glenvale in March. § It is intended to increase it again with effect from September to £63. o Attendance: § Autumn term – average 26 children but easing off towards Christmas. § Spring term – average 27. § Summer – average 15. § Over 30 children feels cramped in the available space. There is the question of whether the number allowed each session needs to be capped? o The current charge per session is £2.20 plus 30p for tuck (£2.50). § If we continue at the present charge, there would be a loss over the year of £444.00. § If the fee is increased to £2.70 plus 30p for tuck (£3.00) there would be a potential loss of £50.00. Proposal: To increase the fee to £3.00 (including tuck) with effect from October and to advise the families of this in September. Not voted on DA will write to Redwell School Trust in the meantime to try to negotiate a reduction in the cost.
3. Wholeness in Jesus/ Wellbeing (DA); Prayer (JBC). – · Care o Our main way of caring for each other is through our Connect groups but there are many who do not attend or keep in touch in this manner. This has been discussed previously but there is no simple solution to how it may be portrayed in a more favourable light: § Possibly revise wording of how it is put across to the church, e.g., “if you want to belong to a church community……” § Two families that attend Connect groups host them so that they do not need to leave their homes, although they do not need to lead them. The issues could possibly be discussed at an away day where there will be more time. DA to bear this in mind. |
LH-S
DA/LH-S
DA
DA |
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| 7 | Finance Report – See Appendix 4 + 4a | |
| Treasurers Report
· No questions were sent to HC to respond to before the meeting.. Treasurer’s job · Dale is now the new Treasurer but cannot make any of the PCC meetings. Please send any questions to him as soon as possible after reading the report you receive a week before each PCC meeting. · DA, BH-S and LH-S to meet with the Finance Team to discuss any issues with finances, parts of the role etc., e.g. vulnerability.
Finance Proposal – see appendix 4a for more details. To amalgamate the intern, Ignite Youth and the Children’s and Youth Worker pots. Proposer: DA Seconder: FC All were in favour. |
ALL
DA/LHS/BHS
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| 8 | Parish Update – see appendix 5 | |
| · In general people seem to be settled in our new base at Glenvale Church of England School and there have been no negative comments on the choice of venue.
· Some of the issues around the transition have been resolved, such as extra storage in the hall, the front door situation, access to the Parish office through the kitchen and an extra fob. However, others are still outstanding: o Benches are hard: § A discussion was held into the possibility of purchasing more of the comfy chairs: · Storage is an issue. 10 – 12 stacking chairs could possibly be stored in the Parish office. · The additional expenditure was raised as an issue when we are not meeting our obligation to pay the Parish Share. However, more people may attend if they do not have to sit on the benches and those who currently have problems with them may decide not to leave or not attend as a result. This in turn could give more opportunity to increase the income to go towards paying the Parish Share. · DA to ask Elizabeth Holbrook if she could look into costings for chairs. o Laptop Cable, Wi-Fi and clicker are still being investigated: § Any cables that have been suggested were not suitable. § Sometimes there is a delay from pressing the clicker to progressing to the next slide, and pressing it again means it continues to the slide after that.
· Screen separating the main area for the weekly service from the area where refreshments are produced and consumed. o Having seen the screen up at the service on Sunday, this was seen as a good idea. However, we would need someone from the school to move the screen for health and safety and to avoid any liability for potential damage to the doors. · Venue for Christmas activities o Traditional Carol Service. o Christingle – possibly at Redwell School but more complicated to do so re the need for the PA system. o Christmas Day Service – at Glenvale C of E School. o Carols and Lights – as previous years. o Possibly do the last Ignite before Christmas at Redwell School. Decision postponed until September PCC meeting. FC to add it to the agenda for September. · From 3rd August Lis Wells will host a pre-service prayer, for the service and the church, at 9.45 in the glass pod in the school. |
DA
FC |
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| 9 | Approving New Groups/ Activities | |
| · Community Days
o Proposer: LH-S. o Seconder: RW o All were in favour. · Satellites Summer Youth Camp o Proposer: DA o Seconder: ME o All were in favour. |
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| 10 | Safeguarding Report – See Appendix 6 | |
| · No further comments re the Safeguarding Report.
· The Safeguarding Policy was approved and signed by all at the meeting. SC agreed the policy over Zoom and will sign it subsequently. · FC to update the church website with the new policy. |
SC FC |
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| 11 | Deanery Synod Report – See Appendix 7 | |
| · Nothing to add at present. | ||
| 12 | Other things – See Appendix 8 | |
| · Parish Pioneers is on hold at present.
· DA talked through her reflections from being ill and her conclusions (see Appendix 8). She is sharing it with the Diocesan senior leadership, including the bishop, and has a meeting booked with the bishop. · DA advised that the new bishop is strategic and will look at applying for grants in Autumn 2026, but even so we may not receive any of the money. · DA asked the PCC to assist with additional responsibilities as there is only one churchwarden at present, including helping with set up and packing away after the service. · Worship Support Rota o DA will discuss the worship support rota with Amanda (Parish Admin) to see if she is able to take this on within her hours when Elizabeth moves away. o RW will also speak to her husband Lu to see if he is able to put it into the Excel spreadsheet. o 5 Rotas: § Preaching and Leading § Worship support – including buttons § Alex – worship § Children § PA team This will be revisited in September. FC to add it to the agenda. |
DA
RW
FC |
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| 13 | Ministry Experience Scheme – See Appendix 9 | |
| Proposal: To accept Chiaz Alozie as our Ministry Experience Intern (Starting 1st September 2025) and to pay the £2600 (plus expenses) out of the restricted pot designated for interns.
Proposer: DA Seconder: FC. All were in favour. |
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| 14 | Dates of next meetings: | |
| PCC meetings:
· Monday 29th September 2025 19.00. · Monday 17th November 2025 19.00. · Monday 2nd February 2026 19.00. · Monday 13th April 2026 19.00 (to agree APCM reports). · APCM Sunday 26th April 2026 as part of the service, followed by a short PCC meeting. |
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| 15 | The meeting closed with a prayer from LHS at 21.25. |
Appendix 1 – update on Key priority 1: Discipleship
Connect Groups:
There continue to be 5 connect groups which, apart from Sunday mornings, is our main discipleship, friendship and care model.
Our five groups are:
Monday afternoon (Carol Maycock).
Monday evening (Elizabeth Holbrook)
Wednesday 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.
Both Elizabeth and Ruth’s groups are small and are considering joining together.
I am concerned that almost all of our ‘families’ have not yet made their way into a Connect Group. It seems that our families are so busy working and with caring responsibilities that they do not have the capacity for Connect Groups. It is also the case that many in the congregation are not coming to the service on a weekly basis and therefore it leaves me asking some questions around what discipleship, friendship and relationship building looks like in this context – I don’t have any answers. We have one thing we are going to try – Livvi is going to suggest to families that on Café Sundays (just monthly) the families stay around for a shared lunch and simple Bible study. This is still being worked out at the moment.
Something Extra?
Given that we no longer have Tuesday evenings for extra teaching, etc, I am considering doing something slightly different on Sunday mornings for 6 weeks after Christmas. I would like to give parents of preteens and teens an opportunity to consider how they can support the faith of their young people using the ‘Parenting for faith’ material. What I’m thinking is that those particular parents could be taken to another room after worship and notices and have about an hour together. Because the main part of the service will be recorded then if they want to listen to the main sermon series they can watch it later in the day/week. I’d like the PCC’s thoughts on this.
Revd. DA.
Decision needed by PCC
No decisions are needed from PCC at this time.
Appendix 2 – Under 18s Ministry
We take the research seriously that tells us that churches who invest in under 18s ministry grow, and those that don’t decline. 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 have raised just over £53,000 to employ a part time children’s and youth worker. We ideally need to get a bit more in and are hoping that the 100 for 100 project will bring in a significant amount. We have now advertised for a children’s and youth worker for 25 hours a week, 45 weeks of the year for a fixed 3-year contract. The closing date is the 8th July. Please keep praying and please consider giving towards this vital ministry.
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 Monday morning at Glenvale Care Home (under 5s) & Ignite (those in years 1-6). Our long running toddler group on a Thursday afternoon (Wellitots) had to close down after Easter due to a lack of venue (we could no longer use the Hub at Redwell School).
Sunday mornings great group of people who le
There continues to be aad 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.
Glenvale Park toddler group
We began this group Easter 2024. 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 50 families now on the register and anywhere between 7 and 16 households can turn up on any given week! This continues to be the case. The Wellitots leadership team all moved across to support the Glenvale Team when Wellitots had to close, which has been amazing. Dawn still technically leads the group but now doesn’t always have to be present. Thank you very much to this expanded leadership team, it makes a difference.
Ignite
Leaders: Livvi Haughton-Scales, Ruth Gilbert, Alan Palmer, Louise Harrison, Elizabeth Holbrook, Judy Meleleu. Dawn Airey also often comes at the beginning of most sessions to talk with parents. Ben Haughton-Scales has helped on some weeks when needed.
A huge thank you to all our volunteers who have faithfully been helping with this group. Ignite has seen fluctuations in numbers and different challenges in the last few months and I very much appreciate the volunteers’ patience, support and positivity during this time.
Prior to Easter, we were seeing an average of 27 kids join us for Ignite each week. Following Easter, though, these numbers have decreased to an average of 18. This appears to be a trend in previous years once we get to summer term, as there are possibly other groups and also nicer weather resulting in families doing different activities.
As it is summer, we have been using the outdoor space more with the kids who have been coming and had a lovely evening the other week where we all sat in a circle outside, ate tuck and shared jokes. There have been lovely moments in the past few weeks and, although numbers have been lower, it has mostly been the same group of kids each week, which has allowed for relationships to deepen. We have continued to pray with the children, share bible stories and start sessions with an action worship song. This seems to continue to be embedded into the culture of the group. In our last Ignite session, two children even spoke about times they had prayed in the past, which was very special.
We have also had teenagers helping us with Ignite as part of their Duke of Edinburgh volunteering program and one girl especially has taken to this really well, saying she loves coming. She has been such an asset to the group. This has been really encouraging and since she is the older sister of one of the girls who already comes to Ignite regularly, it has allowed us as a team to become more connected with that family.
One issue that has arisen, though, in recent months is that the trust at Redwell Primary School wish to put up our rent for Ignite to £64 for the 2 hours we spend there (including set up and set down), starting from September. This would be an overall increase from £35 for the 2 hours, which is what it was at the end of 2024. It has been increased steadily since then. We currently charge the children £2.20 plus 30p for tuck. This is an increase since Christmas, as we used to charge £2.00 plus 30p for tuck. At our current price, this would put a pressure on us to have at least 30 children attending every week to break even on cost. We have had 30 children or more at our busiest times of year, but this isn’t across the whole of the year and may result in us making a considerable loss overall.
This means there is a decision to be made by the PCC of the best way of resolving this issue. It may be that we should continue with Ignite, with the expectation that it will make a loss. We could put the price up considerably for the children attending to cover the cost. Otherwise, we may need to consider the sustainability of the group in the future.
Revd. LH-S
School’s work
Being present in our two primary schools is a very significant part of how we serve our housing estates and the mission of the church. It is largely ministry unseen by the church but plays a huge part in what I would describe as ‘oiling’ ministry
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, Narnia prayers spaces, year 6 transition sessions, well-being groups, parent evenings and the various fayre’s and school productions.
Glenvale Church of England school has been open for nearly a year now and we have developed a really good relationship with the Head and PDET, the diocesan education trust that runs the school.
Again, between the clergy we lead collective worship Thursday mornings, have a presence at the various events and fayres, the new parents intake evening and we are about to start well-being groups there also in September. The Head and I meet monthly and also on a monthly basis offering a ‘tea and toast’ drop in for parents.
Youth Ministry
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). Due to the unavailability of the young people for the June café service, we delayed the new Youth Band leading worship in church for the first time, and are now working towards the August café service for this. 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
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. 19 young people have attended the group so far this year, with an average attendance of 8. Most of the young people are connected with church, though we have seen them start to invite friends from outside the group too. Our prayer is that they would all continue to build friendships and explore faith in Jesus together. For the last couple of terms, we have been following a series on Christian Lifestyle using the church’s Energize resource and have run sessions on holiness, contentment and resilience.
We have continued to hold half-termly social evenings and will be having a summer social for our last session of the school year on Sunday 3rd August.
A group will be going to Satellites again this summer 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. 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:
- For all the young people connected with NWAC to have a great time of rest and relaxation during the school summer holidays, especially those who have just finished exams.
- 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.
- For the young people in the group whose families are on the fringe of church and/or aren’t yet followers of Jesus – that the light of Jesus might grow brighter in their lives and that they might lead their families to faith in Him.
- 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 6 young people are going to Satellites and pray that they would all encounter Jesus in personal and significant ways during the festival. And pray the same would be true for those not going to Satellites, that they would know His presence with them whatever they’re up to this summer.
Revd. BH-S
Satellites Summer Youth Camp
This year Ben and I will be taking 6 young people to Satellites, 6-11th August 2025. 4 of the same young people came last year and 2 new ones this year. Livvi will remain in the parish. The young people are very excited by this opportunity and talk about it regularly. The young people are kept busy from 8am to midnight – if they wish to be that busy!!! We all go to the main worship and teaching sessions in the morning and evening but outside of this there is a huge range of seminars, activities and lots of fun to be had. The theme this year is ‘Hope’. Satellites is run by Youth Scape and hosts around 4,000 people at the camp. I believe they are expecting more this year.
The organisation of it with our group is easier this year having done it once before. We will have a parent and young person meeting on the 20th July and then a further meet up with just young people to practice putting their tents up! The relevant consents and risk assessment will be in place. This activity needs approval from the PCC for insurance purposes.
Revd. DA.
Decision needed by PCC
Approval for the young people to go to Satellites Summer youth Camp, 6-11th August 2025.
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?
Revd. D.A.
Decision needed by PCC
No decisions are needed from PCC at this time.
Creations Craft Group
The Creations Craft Group has met for an hour and a half every Monday morning since December – group members enjoy it so much that we even meet on Bank Holidays.
There are 17 people on the WhatsApp group and regularly 8 to 10 people (men and women) attending. We have church people and others from the community as part of the group.
The venue at the Ock n Dough is perfect – nice and light, with hot and cold drinks from the bar, and plenty of space for however many people turn up. Members help each other with tricky bits of what they are making, teach each other new skills and encourage each other when things go well.
It is a really lovely, restful space to start the week. We have friendly discussions about life, faith and all sorts during which we try to concentrate on our crafting!
EH
Prayer
Jackie heads up all the Prayer contacts & training etc…
I’ve taken the Weekly Prayer Sheet from Jackie to help her time/workload etc. All I have done since starting is more or less follow Jackie’s initial model – “Thanks” & Then “Pray for …” & do so in 5 Points per section, that seems to give enough scope to provide decent detail without “going on” too much. I’ve added a “Point to Ponder” at the end to give a subject to pray over & linked it to some verifiable statistics or a report from a reputable body.
I had wondered about posting it all on the Church Private Facebook Page – but not sure about it. Our Private Facebook seems to be very sparingly accessed – so may be little point.
The final point is how well used is it as a document – the Tuesday Parish Prayer always has it as the starting point & I have used it as an emergency Intercessory Prayer on a Sunday Morning if the Prayer Person hasn’t turned up. I’ve never had any feedback from the Church Family about the Weekly Prayer Sheet so I can’t say how effective/useful it is in any wider context.
Chris Gledhill
Appendix 4 – Finance Report – TREASURER’S REPORT
At the present time we have £79,003 in the church account, this is divided between two areas. The non-restricted area has £400 in it whilst the restricted area has £78,603.
If you have any questions, then do email me on helen.hollwey@gmail.com.
Below is the situation in the church account (unrestricted)
01 January 2024
| 31 December 2025 |
To 31 December 2024
General – General fund (Unrestricted) Fund
Receipts
Planned giving
Gift Aid – Bank 23,991 51,296
Total Planned giving 23,991 51,296
Collections and other giving
Loose Plate eligible for gift aid 5,231 10,876
Collection online giving 4,376 6,244
Sum Up giving at church 628 1,469
Total Collections and other giving 10,236 18,589
Other voluntary receipts
Refreshments at service 71 281
Donations — 218
Total Other voluntary receipts 71 499
Gift Aid recovered
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid 2,161 8,652
Total Gift Aid recovered 2,161 8,652
Other receipts
Collections — 168
Total Other receipts — 168
Investment Income
Interest 78 43
Total Investment Income 78 43
Receipts from church activities
Ignite Income 826 2,055
Wellitots Income 127 256
Glenvale Tots 140 120
Fees for weddings and funerals 1,415 282
Total Receipts from church activities 2,509 2,714
Total receipts 39,049 81,964
Payments
Cost of generating funds
Costs of fetes & other events 12 101
Total Cost of generating funds 12 101
Missionary and Charitable Giving
Giving to missionary societies 1,380 2,760
Carol singing expenses — 122
Total Missionary and Charitable Giving 1,380 2,882
Parish Share
Parish Share 28,000 62,500
Total Parish Share 28,000 62,500
Clergy and Staffing costs
Working expenses of vicar 6 42
Vicar’s telephone 170 408
Mileage of Vicar 249 490
Adminstrator wages 2,292 2,171
Total Clergy and Staffing costs 2,717 3,112
Church Running Expenses
Parish training and mission 165 140
Ignite Expenses — 28
Glenvale Tots 8 177
Children’s work 15 —
Church running Expenses 694 1,775
Bank Charges 30 65
Refreshments at services 11 29
Support services — 300
Sum up machine costs 163 321
Copying costs 965 1,104
Upkeep of services – candles, communion — 101
Stationery 52 81
Gifts 60 100
Hall hire 1,545 6,163
Books 210 162
Total Church Running Expenses 3,922 10,552
New Building work
Set up costs at Glenvale 201 —
Total New Building work 201 —
Total payments 36,235 79,149
Excess of Receipts over Payments 2,813 2,815
Brought forward balance (2,412) (9,263)
Transfers to/(from) — 4,035
- Total carried forward balance 400 (2,412)
| Non-Restricted money against this year’s budget is: | Expected end of June | ||||
| Receipts | BUDGET 2025 | 01/07/25 | % actual | ||
| Planned Giving | PGS | 50000 | 23991 | 25000 | 48 |
| Collections | Online | 5000 | 4376 | 2500 | 88 |
| Collections | Loose Plate | 8000 | 5231 | 4000 | 65 |
| Sum Up | 2000 | 628 | 1000 | 31 | |
| Tax recovered through PGS and Gift Aid | 10000 | 2161 | 5000 | 22 | |
| Other receipts/Fees | 1000 | 1493 | 500 | 149 | |
| Fundraising | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Church activities | 2500 | 1097 | 1250 | 47 | |
| TOTAL | 78500 | 39049 | 36250 | 49.7 | |
| Payments | BUDGET 2025 | ||||
| Parish Share | 70207 | 28000 | 35104 | 40 | |
| Missionary Giving | 2760 | 1380 | 1380 | 50 | |
| Hall hire | 6500 | 1545 | 3250 | 24 | |
| Clergy and staff costs | 3500 | 2717 | 1750 | 78 | |
| Church running costs | 4000 | 2590 | 2000 | 65 | |
| TOTAL | 86967 | 36235 | 43484 | 42 | |
We are expecting our refund from HMRC shortly from cash collected at church. There is a maximum of £8,000 through this scheme.
RESTRICTED MONEY
| 31/01/2025 | 01/04/2025 | 01/05/2025 | 01/06/2025 | 06/07/2025 | |||
| 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 (sheet 2) | 16235 | 24455 | 24455 | 24455 | 24455 | |
| 4 | 100/100 ( sheet 2)
|
298 | 373 | 682 | 1038 | ||
| 5 | Ignite Youth | 286 | 286 | 286 | 286 | 286 | |
| 6 | Building Fund | 48064 | 47064 | 47064 | 47064 | 47064 | |
| 7 | Wreath event | 152 | 152 | 152 | 152 | 152 | |
| 8 | Interest | 76 | 40 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
| 9 | PA donation | 2000 | 619 | 619 | 619 | 487 | |
| 10 | Other | 139 | 139 | 139 | 139 | 139 | |
| 11 | Social income | 0 | 49 | 39 | 39 | 39 | |
| TOTAL | 71886 | 78036 | 78070 | 78379 | 78603 | ||
- Discretionary Fund is the money that has been given over several years to support individuals at the discretion of the vicar and the churchwardens.
- Wages/Expenses Youth worker this money was given when Alice ( an intern ) who joined us in 2022, and this money was given to support her wages and expenses but never fully spent.
- 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 ( £4255)
- 100/100 through the bank online and box at church
- Ignite Youth this is the money which has been collected over several years as surplus from the Ignite Youth tuck shop
- Money transferred to General Account on Building Account closure.
- Wreath making , income was £925 and expenditure so far £773, leaving a profit of £152 this excess will be used for set up at Glenvale
- Historic Interest when we had 2 accounts
- We had a donation of £1000 for the PA equipment in January plus £1000 from Laing trust in November 2022
- This was money left from restricted money brought forward
- Social income from Maundy Thursday event , we are awaiting hall hire costs
Restricted – Restricted money from specific collections (Restricted) Fund
01 January 2025 01 January 2024
| 31 December 2025 |
To 31 December 2024
Receipts
Collections and other giving
Building Fund money — 49,063
Total Collections and other giving — 49,063
Other voluntary receipts
Adminstrator role — 350
Under 18 worker 15,430 9,025
100/100 1,038 —
Total Other voluntary receipts 16,468 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
Social events income 178 —
Total Receipts from church activities 178 333
Total receipts 17,646 60,337
Payments
Cost of generating funds
Costs of fetes & other events — 776
Total Cost of generating funds — 776
Clergy and Staffing costs
Discretionary Fund — 300
Adminstrator wages — 497
Total Clergy and Staffing costs — 797
Church Running Expenses
Ignite Expenses — 48
Church running Expenses 17 195
PA & IT equipment — 35
PA and IT equipment 1,513 —
Social events 139 301
Gifts — 640
Hall hire 70 —
Books — 94
Total Church Running Expenses 1,740 1,315
New Building work
Set up costs at Glenvale 1,048 —
Total New Building work 1,048 —
Total payments 2,789 2,890
Excess of Receipts over Payments 14,857 57,447
Brought forward balance 63,746 6,299
Total carried forward balance 78,603 63,746
Appendix 4a– Finance Proposal
In the treasurers report there are a couple of restricted pots that I’d like to amalgamate but Helen wanted PCC to make this decision rather than simply do it.
I would like to move the intern and Ignite youth pots into the children’s and youth work pot. All the money is essentially for the same purpose and so it would make much more sense. The intern (or Ministry Experience Scheme) pot we developed when we had Alice and didn’t use all of the money. The scheme at the time was a Gen2 project, so more focussed on under 16s ministry. You will see from my proposal on the Ministry Experience Scheme that I am proposing we take Chiaz Alozie on as from September and we use £2,600 of that pot towards his costs first. The rest to then go to the children’s and youth worker pot.
Revd. D.A.
Decision for the PCC:
To amalgamate the intern, Ignite Youth and the Children’s and Youth Worker pots.
Appendix 5 – Parish Update
We moved our Sunday morning worship to Glenvale Church of England School on the 9th March 2025. In the main this seems to have gone well. There are one or two struggling to get there but the majority are being supported by others via lifts, etc. The feedback I am receiving is very positive. There are some teething issues but as the weeks go by we are slowly dealing with these. For example, I am meeting with the PA team early July, the young people’s group is growing and we may need to talk to the school about use of the staff room and then there are some practical things to resolve with PDET and the school (wifi, access from the parish office through the kitchen, the safeguarding wall from the parish office area to the kitchen, the 2 front doors, and numerous other things!) I am meeting with our link from PDET (Dan Parker) in July to start to move things further forward in this regard. The feedback I receive from the school and PDET is that we are welcome, and people are so pleased we are there.
It is wonderful that already we have seen a number of new people starting to join us, just as we hoped. Let’s pray this keeps on increasing. One factor to bear in mind at Glenvale Park, is that many seem to still be travelling to their previous churches on a Sunday. This means that most of the new families are dipping their toes in with us and so not around every week.
Revd. D.A.
Decision needed by PCC
No decisions are needed from PCC at this time.
Appendix 6 – Safeguarding Report
Since the APCM, one person’s DBS has come through and two more are in the process (it can take up to 60 days from submission). One person has got all the training done.
John Gilyead
Appendix 7 – Deanery Synod Report
We currently do not have a Deanery Synod rep.
Appendix 8 – Other things!
Parish Pioneers
This group initially started around 3/3.5 years ago and was very focused on being present at Glenvale Park in such a way as to make new disciples. Once we made the decision to move our Sunday worship to Glenvale Park, the group wanted to continue meeting but to repurpose itself as the ‘parish pioneers’ group, now thinking about what we could do to be present around the whole parish, all 3 housing estates. The most recent project was to create a new welcome flyer and deliver it to every house.
Livvi and Louise took the lead with developing the flyer, Judy M and Lynn B took the lead with ordering and delivering them! The current project is the summer drink stop at Glenvale play park on Wednesdays after school.
Alpha
Ben (with support from Livvi and Mel) is running our second Alpha course on Monday evenings. He is almost at the end of the current course with 3 people. Off the back of this we are planning a full immersion baptism service for October.
Churchwarden
Thank you to Elizabeth and Matt. While Elizabeth is no longer formally a Churchwarden she is still doing lots of things until the summer (Ish)! We need to be acutely aware that we currently have only Matt as our Churchwarden, and he will need the support of the PCC. It may be for example that Matt can’t be there one Sunday morning and so someone else will need to be designated as churchwarden that morning and Matt can go through with you what that will mean. In the meantime, do you have any thoughts about who we might approach to become our second Churchwarden?
Areas where PCC support is needed
There is something I’d like to share with the PCC having done quite a lot of reflection when I was off ill. At nearly 56 years of age and having spent 20 years as a social worker prior to Ordination, I have never been so ill that I needed to be signed off sick and that led me to some quite serious reflection. Please be assured that I am sharing this with diocesan senior leadership, including the Bishop, with whom I have a meeting booked the second week of July.
One of the things I realized is that I was carrying a significant weight of responsibility for too many things, over and above that which you would expect the Vicar to carry. This is not the same as number of hours worked…it is about the number of things and the weight of responsibility, they are very different things. Having spoken to some with their finger on the national pulse, this is being reflected and experienced by Incumbents across the country. The weight of responsibility has increased beyond what is manageable for many.
There are a number of reasons for this: lack of resources being released, parish size being increased in numbers, costs going up, church members unable to give financially at the same level as previously.
The biggest factor (for me) and certainly for many Incumbents (as I now understand it) is that while we are a growing church and thank the Lord that that is our experience because it’s not everywhere, there are now less people who are willing to take on responsibility.
Many are willing to ‘help’ with things but that means that instead of the congregation taking responsibility for particular areas, that responsibility is increasingly laying with the Incumbent.
(On a personal note, I find this very hard because as well as it being too weighty to carry, my role is to release God’s people into what He is calling them to be and to do, not to try and fill gaps/roles/jobs/ with the available people).
There will be many reasons why we are in the place we are (I have some thoughts about that if anyone wants to talk this through with me) and there are no easy answers (I have some thoughts about that too). However, it would be extremely helpful if PCC members were willing to take a little bit more responsibility for various things, please.
Three urgent areas are:
- Counting money on Sunday mornings and taking the cash and vestry form to new treasurer, Dale Gilbert. He will then bank it.
- Someone to take on the worship support Rota from Elizabeth
- Prayer ministry on Sunday mornings: I would hope that everyone on the PCC is able to pray for others on any occasion on a Sunday morning. I have asked Jackie CB to come to the first half of our next PCC meeting in September, for the first 30 minutes to go through the prayer ministry guidelines with everyone on PCC, so that on Sunday mornings there is a wider group of people available to pray with others. Of course, that means you may also need to receive prayer ministry so please continue to do that….in this way we also model to others our own need and vulnerability……and that it is ok to need and want prayer.
Other areas we are currently thinking through:
- Someone to lead and support the Refreshments Team on Sunday mornings
- Someone to lead and support the Welcome Team on Sunday mornings
(What we mean by both of these is that you would not be responsible for the Rota, but you would each week need to look at who from your team is down to do that particular task and ensure that they know what they’re doing and can physically do it. You would need to cover someone if they can’t physically set up welcome for example but could then arrive to actually welcome people.)
- There will be other things to come!
Revd. D.A.
Decisions for the PCC:
- Who is willing to take on the worship support rota from Elizabeth
- Who is willing to take responsibility for making sure the money is counted on Sunday mornings, the vestry form completed and then it dropped off with Dale Gilbert?
- Are PCC members willing to do the prayer ministry training with Jackie BC and be available Sunday mornings to pray with people?
Appendix 9 – Ministry Experience Scheme – Proposal to PCC
This scheme is run by the diocese and is a national initiative. It enables 18–30-year-olds to take 1 year working with their church, experiencing and exploring every part of ministry. It is usually full time but there are occasions when a young adult needs to bump up their income by working a day or two elsewhere.
The idea is to allow time to explore further who they are in Jesus, how He is calling them and how He has and is equipping them. It is very much a training post. Some go on to ordained ministry and for others it’s a year of significant transformation, discovering a call to something else.
While on the scheme the group has two residentials and meet for training every 6 weeks in between. The rest of the time they are in the parish.
It costs £8,200 for the year. The church needs to find £2,600 of that cost, the rest being met by the diocese and the national church. £2,600 to have someone full time is amazing! And it’s really just pocket money for that person equating to around £157.70. We would need to pay for any travel expenses on top, but those costs will be minimal.
You may remember that Alice Pettifer was with us for a year via this scheme and completed it 2 years ago now.
This year Chiaz Alozie has applied to work with us via the scheme and the diocese are pleased to accept him, as am I!
In terms of finances, I am aware that we are putting money away into the children’s and youth worker pot. We have some money left over from when Alice last did the scheme which I will be suggesting needs to go into that pot rather than be listed as a separate item. When Alice did the scheme it was more biased towards children and young people. However, it was still money made available to us for the Ministry Experience Scheme, whatever shape that is. So my suggestion is that we use some of that money to pay for Chiaz and the rest go into the children and youth worker pot.
Proposal for PCC decision:
To accept Chiaz as our Ministry Experience Intern (starting 1st Sep 2025) and to pay the £2,600 (plus expenses) out of the restricted pot designated for Interns.
Revd. D.A.
