St Hilda’s Church
Notes of a Development Group meeting August 13th 2018
Present: Barbara Foster, Margaret Chapman,Prue Meehan, David Mann, Barbara Robinson, Margaret Robinson, Rev Caroline Greenwood
Toilets. Problem seems solved. David suggested we get a set of drain rods because of high cost of recent drain clearing.
Lighting bid submitted fro £3000, grant of £1500 notified (14/8/18). Rev Robin Gamble had volunteered to find funding to repair/replace Rood Screen light. Two quotes to be obtained.
Flooring the restoration of the parquet had been completed and was agreed to be an improvement. Care of the surface was discussed. The need to impress on Pre-School and Gathering the need for protection from sand, water and playdoh activities and care with furniture moving and any spillage. The radiator covers had been removed and shown to be very dirty! The company needed to return the keys provided. It was agreed to ask for samples of floor protection and costs.
Tables David advised the use of vaseline on the hinges to improve ease of use. It was agreed to offer the low,old, heavy tables to the congregation, e.g for garden use, before disposal.
Guttering Members had a report, with photos, of the repairs needed. A quote via the Maintenance Booker website had been received amounting to £16,151 +VAT. It was hoped that another company would quote via the website.
There was discussion of the need for fundraising. Rev Caroline offered to explore grant options, which was very much welcomed. It was stressed that most grant-givers asked for 3 quotes. Barbara R to send Caroline recent information on funding possibilities and to contact Maintenance Booker about any further interest.
Church cleaning PCC had requested that the group discuss cleaning because it was agreed that the work fell on a few people whose health was not always good. The main work of caring for the church interior involved regularly moving heavy chairs to dust. The kitchen, entrance and toilet areas and recycling also involve time and effort. The dedication of the current volunteers was recognised. There was discussion about the frequency and thoroughness needed.
It was agreed to ask the PCC to consider (i) forming a specific cleaning team of at least 4 and preferably 6, people who would clean the church interior together once a month (ii) arrange for as many volunteers as possible to do deep cleaning before Easter and before St Hilda’s Tide (Nov.) If this were not be possible PCC should consider using Agency staff to carry out the regular cleaning.
Kitchen At the previous meeting members had suggested that the freezer should be removed and replaced with a second fridge, for church use, leaving the present one to deal with the amount of milk which the Pre-School had to take. It was agreed that PCC should be asked to agree to the suggestion.
Prue Meehan had tidied all the cupboards and drawers to try to make specific cupboard space for Pre-School items to avoid the current clutter. The Gathering should be asked to either remove or store their items upstairs as previously arranged.
Group workload
It was recognised that group members all had other responsibilities for the church and personal responsibilities. It was agreed that the work should be shared whenever possible.
Items for PCC
1 Purchase of a set of drain rods
2 Disposal of old unwanted tables
3 To agree and prioritise plans for fundraising for lighting and guttering
4 To discuss and agree church cleaning arrangements
5 To discuss and agree replacement of freezer with 2nd fridge
St Hilda's Church, Halifax 