PCC Minutes - feb 2007 - Draft

Parish of St Andrew?s, Tarvin with St Peter?s, Duddon

Minutes of the PCC meeting

5^th February 2007

Parish Room

Present

David Herbert, Margaret Marr, Eric Plenderleath, Harry Wilson, Janet Smart, Mary Burgess, Michael Burgess, Yvonne Albon, Jenny Burkhill-Howarth, Michael Hawes, Alex Henderson, Lyn Orfanelli, Susie Connelly, Jane Holmes.

Apologies

Janet Joynson, Jane Parker, David Burkhill-Howarth, Bob Howard.

Prayers

David H opened the meeting with a prayer.

Acceptance of Minutes

The minutes of the PCC meeting held on 4^th December 2006 were accepted.

Matters Arising

There was a correction to the Parish Share increase reported in the December minutes.  It should have read, ?an increase of approximately £1,500 per annum?, and not ?£1,000 per annum?.

Eric reported that the Entertainment Licence for the Parish Rooms had now been received.

Negotiations for the sale of a small part of the Vicarage garden were still incomplete as there was a discrepancy as to the ownership of the land. 

The Governors of Duddon St Peter?s school have decided to remain as a controlled school.

Alex reported that he had received a quote of £2,300 for stainless steel mesh protection for two stained glass windows at St Andrew?s.

Window Repairs

The Parochial Church Council of St Andrew?s Church Tarvin, at its meeting of 5^th February 2007 approved the proposed protection to the two Kempe stained glass windows.  The resolution was agreed unanimously by all 14 members present.  It was felt that polycarbonate protection would be the preferred material for this work.  

A quote of £2,750 had been received from Pendle Glass for Polycarbonate protection to the stained glass windows to the East of the Altar.  This amount was available as two separate donations of £1,000 from parishioners, plus £250 Gift Aid and a further £500 from the Friends of Tarvin Church had been received.   Margaret Marr was to look into the possibility of a donation by the Kempe Society.

Pendle Stained Glass had quoted for the repairs to the windows in the North side and also the Bruen Chapel and whilst this work was in progress two mis-matched panes in the window near the Font could be repaired. 

A quote of £600 plus VAT had been quoted, but this offer was only valid if done at the same time as the afore mentioned work.  Mary Burgess proposed we go ahead with this and the PCC unanimously agreed.

Giving

David spoke of the success of the 2005 Thanksgiving Sunday and felt that this should be repeated in June, but as congregations change the format should also change.  He planned, over a three week period that each Sunday would focus on a different form of giving e.g. God?s giving to the world, our response in giving to God.  It was felt that some would give of themselves rather than money, but that all could give something.

Michael Burgess said that we would probably break even this year but with increases in the region of £4,000 plus each year from 2007 onwards, we would need to consider the spiritual and practical side of giving.

Janet Smart and Harry Wilson expressed a wish to explore the possibility of history talks on the church for small groups focussing on younger people, for which a charge would be made.

Open Church

A rota had been organised for the week prior to Christmas; there had been a gradual increase of visitors during that period.  The security of both church artefacts and guardians was still an important issue.  The PCC agreed to appoint a working party to look at how we might develop ?Open Church? within the parameters previously discussed ? personal safety and security.  The idea of opening on Sunday afternoons was raised.   Harry, Susie, Janet and Jane are to investigate how to progress with the re-starting of the Tarvin Teas after Easter.

Deanery Synod Report

There had been no meeting.

Clergy Report

Bishop?s Letter ? The PCC were asked to vote regarding the Admission of Baptised Children to Holy Communion Regulations 2006 that continue to admit children to Holy Communion before Confirmation in accordance with the Guidelines of the Diocese of Chester.  Eleven members voted for this with 3 abstentions.

            The Back to Church Sunday initiative was also mentioned in the Bishop?s letter and the suggested date of 30^th September, although this was planned as Harvest Sunday for St             Andrew?s, was agreed and invitations would be printed and distributed as last year.

Clergy in Training Parish Placement ? John Hughes, Reader at Davenham, will be spending three months at St Andrew?s whilst Richard Tuckwell will spend his three months training period at Davenham.  Richard and John are to be ordained as Deacon on 1^st July at Chester Cathedral.  Richard will initially serve in this parish.  Everyone was asked to support Richard on the 1^st July and during his ministry.

Parish Archivist ? Members of the Tarvin History Society were to be approached with a view to helping with historical information requests on the church, its grounds and those interred there.  David will write a personal letter in the first instance to Tony and Jacquie Bland.

Training Day ? there is to be a Parish Myers Briggs Day on Saturday 28^th April from 10.00 ? 3.30 p.m. in the Birley Memorial Hall, Waverton which will be led by Julia McGuiness.  David emphasised that this has been organised for Readers and PCC members because of the insights which the day will give.

  Focus Groups          

Finance Group

            There had been no meeting, but the Accounts were nearing completion for the AGM.    Further Communion Red Books had been purchased.

St Peter?s Group

            Full specifications and plans from the Architect are expected soon.  Andrew Woolley    believes that he has covered everything that is required for a Faculty application.

            Chester City Council has agreed to roll over to 2007-08 the grant of £3,000 towards a             kitchen in the church.

            The next Focus Group meeting will be on Monday 26^th March.

            J H Griffiths is to replace 12 small broken or cracked window panes.  The approximate cost      is £200 plus VAT, but the insurance company has agreed to meet this.

Pastoral Group

            There had been no meeting.

Mission Group

            The next meeting for this is Monday 26^th February.

Worship Group

            The group had met in ?. 

Buildings Group 

            Although there had been no meeting of this group, Alex asked for clarification on the      following:

            Disabled access to the Parish Rooms ? access to the County officer in charge of this was           proving very difficult as was the availability of funds.  Eric will look into this as soon as           possible.  

            Re-paint of South Aisle ? this was not an immediate problem but a quote had been     received.

            Repairs to South Path ? the Z-Team were asked to look into the re-setting of existing flags,    rather than renewing.

            T-Mobile ? Eric had received information regarding a Faculty applied for by QS4 directly        to the Diocese; this was to up-grade existing equipment.  As the PCC had not been             consulted, Eric was asked to contact Simon Talbot from QS4 and it was agreed that the PCC         must be consulted at all times regarding any work or up-grades before QS4 contacts the      Diocese.

            Fire Assessment ? John Winward to be consulted regarding this.

            Hand-Rail ? Z-Team were asked to explore the possibility of a hand-rail being erected to        the right of the main pathway to church by the War Memorial Garden.

            Parish Room Heating ? Groups had experienced problem when using the Parish Room          with the heating turning itself off.  The Z-Team was asked to look into this.

            Lectern Steps ? No decision has been reached on this.

Electoral Roll

            There had been no applications received.

A.O.B.

Eric had received a report on the Saxon Cross unearthed during archaeological explorations at the new housing development site in Broomheath Lane.  This has been authenticated and the City Council believes it should be appropriately housed in St Andrew?s.  It was felt that perhaps the developers and the City Council might sponsor its display.  The PCC welcomed the decision to have the cross housed in St Andrew?s.

The AGM of the St Andrew?s Bellringers has taken place and the PCC acknowledged the fine work that this ecumenical group does for the worshiping community in Tarvin.  

            In their report, mention was made of church side-door keys being copied.  Janet Smart volunteered to   make a comprehensive key-holders list, not only for the church but also for        the Parish Rooms.

Harry Wilson showed the PCC a number of colour photographs of St Andrew?s Church taken by a friend.  He proposed that we invested in postcards / notelets for purchase by visitors and was asked to progress this.  He is also looking into the possibility of the Friends of Tarvin church hosting a concert with the St Cecilia Singers.

The next meeting will be on Monday 2^nd April 2007.