Minutes of the PCC Meeting of 23rd November 2011

Minutes of the Meeting of 28th September 2011:
There being no amendments raised Mr Coates-Best proposed, seconded by Mr Watson, that the Minutes be approved and signed as a true record. Carried Unanimously.

Matters Arising:
Friends of All Saints - update:
Friends of All Saints - the Rector said that he still has not been able to take forward the setting up of the Friends; he doesn't feel that he has the right temperament to approach people and will ask for someone who can engage with significant figures in the community, to volunteer to drive the project forward. It was suggested that terms of reference be drawn up so that the appointed person would know what was expected of them. The Rector did not expect a member of the PCC to automatically be appointed, but felt it should be expanded out to the whole community. To this end, it was suggested that an article be placed in the parish magazine.
Social Convenor:
JL has agreed to continue in the role, until Shirley Jenner is available to take over.
Treasurer's Report and Stewardship Matters:
Incoming Resources: Actual income was £3045 below budget, however this has been rectified since the accounts were published by £2141 tax repayment, and £1421 ecclesiastical fees refund, making the total £517 over budget.
Resources Used: Expenditure is still below budget, although the upkeep of the churchyard has exceeded budget due to additional tree work.
3) DW will present the budget for 2012 at the next PCC
4) The Deanery treasurers meeting took place on the 5th October. The financial figures for 2012 were discussed with the Diocesan budget increasing by 0.63%. The 3 year rolling average for West Parley is 134.67 members with our Parish Share for 2012 set at £53,119; this equates to £394 per member per annum. Regarding church membership, the Wimborne deanery has seen an increase of 55 over the period 2008/11, which is in contrast to the majority of other deaneries in the diocese with an overall decrease of 851 in the same period.
5) It was suggested that we again take up the offer of the 2½:% discount if the Parish Share is paid in one amount at the beginning of the year.Unanimously agreed.
Due to the increase in thefts of lead and silver from churches, our Ecclesiastical Insurers have asked that photographs be taken of all silver items. This has already been done.
7) DW stated that our Parish Share has actually gone down. Attendance at 8am Holy Communion has dropped. This is particularly apparent at All Saints.
Report from Deanery Synod debate and vote on Anglican Covenant.
In the absence of Ashley Hancock, Bobby Best reported on the meeting. He stated that it was a very lively meeting, but he was very surprised that only one minister had voted for the Anglican Covenant, namely the Rector, but he said that on further consideration he was not totally sure that it was the right decision. The matter will now be taken to the Diocesan Synod.
Items and Recommendations from Standing Committee 1) Solar Panels The feed-in tariff for Solar Power is to be lowered on the 12th December from 32.9p/kWh to 15p/kWh, for an installation such as St. Marks; other costs would also be incurred. As it was unlikely that the initial capital outlay would be recouped, it was decided NOT to recommend it to the PCC.
2) Community Service assistance with upkeep of Churchyard
In order to tidy the Rectory and All Saints churchyard, it is proposed that the Community Payback Team be employed. This is a group of 8 young offenders, plus a supervisor, who will work for £35.00 per day. They have been used, to good effect, by the Parish Council. Proposed by Garnett Lambert, seconded by Derek Hyatt. Carried Unanimously
3)Health and Safety amendment
Following a change to the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance issued by the H&SE since the policy review in December, the following addition is made to our Health and Safety Policy "Water should not be stored on the premises so that it becomes stale or stagnant" Carried Unanimously
4) New Vestments for All Saints
The Rector proposed that a new set of green vestments and frontals be purchased for All Saints. A donation of £500 has been received from the estate of Phyllis Bailey, and this could be used to purchase these items, in her memory. The Rector will contact Terry Knight (a retired clergyman), who designs and makes vestments and frontals. Carried Unanimously
5) Response to Wayfarers and Calls
Any financial aid to itinerant individuals passing through the parish will be met from parish funds, ie Rector's expenses.
Update on Current Works:
i. St. Marks: a) The path alongside the church has been dug out and the hedge has been cut back.
b) A plan is needed to refurbish the garden on the south side. Mothers Union have offered to fund a bench (in remembrance of Phyllis Bailey). Following a discussion it was agreed that this was not a good idea, as it may encourage vagrants/vandals. The Rector has asked for ideas for a garden theme - biblical and Diamond jubilee being two suggestions.
ii. All Saints: a) The buttresses have now been capped. Because the walls had become so wet, it will take a long while for the natural drying process to take place. Sincere thanks were given to Ron Huntingdon for all his hard work with the guttering and the buttresses. Derek Hyatt commented on how well the church is looking.
b) The brambles have been cut to ground level and the roots are to be taken out shortly. The area will be sown in the spring.
c) The faculty for the Beech Tree has been received.
Sudan :Guy Jarvis will arrange a Sudan evening, with a speaker to give a talk on the latest events, and this will be advertised to encourage as many people as possible to attend. Each deanery is being encouraged to improve their links with Sudan.
Ask yourself the question "What does it mean to be a Christian in Sudan" - it is totally different from being a Christian here!
Rector's Report:
The Rector spoke about his Senior Staff Interview with the Bishop or Archdeacon, and as consequence he needs to examine All-Age Eucharistic worship in other churches; he will be visiting West Moors and Alderholt in the future.
He wants to look at the way the church functions and the roles of the officers and people, and to this end he would like to draw up terms of reference for each role
Lay Pastoral Assistants - our current LPA's - Mavis Brookes, Marilyn Bettell, Dorothy Lambert, Bonnie Coggins - have to be re-licensed. The PCC were asked to endorse their work. Carried Unanimously
A O B Parish Magazine Jane Norris is standing down as Editor of the magazine, therefore a new editor needs to be found. A "job description" will be drawn up, but one of the main requirements will be computer literacy. The post could possibly be shared - one person being responsible for the computing side, the other responsible for getting articles for the magazine (more of a marketing role). Sandra Clarke has agreed to get the February magazine published.
The Rector and the PCC express their thanks to Jane for her hard work over the last 8 years
BrushMarks have made a Christmas Card, which will go at the back of the church, for everyone to sign and give a donation, instead of sending out individual cards. It was proposed that all donations would be given to the Children's Society. Carried Unanimously
Date of the next PCC meeting Wednesday 25th January 2012
There being no Other Business the meeting closed at 21.50