St Hilda’s Church
Minutes of a meeting of the Parochial Church Council, held on Tuesday 25th July 2017
Present: Rev. Neal Owen (Chairman), Margaret Chapman, David Mann, Prue Meehan (Treasurer), Kathy Lefroy-Owen (Secretary): Brian Wood, Hilary Jamieson (Churchwarden), Barbara Foster.
Daniel Russell, Rev Martin Russell, John White (St John’s Rep) and Barbara Robinson attended as observers.
The meeting began with prayers
Apologies – Margaret Robinson (Churchwarden), Joyce Mower.
Declaration of Member’s Interest – No declarations were made.
1 Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 13th June 2017 were accepted as a true record once the
following amendments had been made:-
• Only £4000 of the Parish Share has been paid, not £6000
• John White had sent his apologies
• Spelling errors – Russell & Madeleine
Proposed: Margaret C, seconded: Barbara Foster- all in favour.
2. Matters arising
• Mehreen needs a key to not only the choir vestry but also the rear entrance to church. It was agreed the fire keys would be placed on a hook on the back of the door.
• Corporate Vicar – Margaret C. has generously agreed to be the contact person for St Hilda’s whilst in Interregnum. A message will be left on the Vicarage phone giving her phone number and a response email on Neal’s Rev Neal account with her email details. Yvonne Moore will monitor mail and pass on anything specifically for St Hilda’s to Barbara Robinson. Thanks were expressed to Margaret and Barbara for taking this on.
3 St John’s items
• 20th Aug – Walk and scavenger hunt around Warley starting at St John’s (3 miles)
• 7th Oct – Leprosy Mission coffee morning with prayer trail in conjunction with Churches Together.
• 14th Oct – Flower demonstration and Pimms afternoon tea
4. Treasurers Report
• The Prayer Fund – stands at £935
• £6000 in the bank and when final bills for building work has been paid this will be used to pay the Parish Share (£17,229)
• Gift Aid refund will be used in total for the Parish Share
• Mehreen – currently £380 per month for 11 months.
From September with increased hours she will pay £532 per month for 11 months.
• Green Journey – summary of report to be circulated for discussion at the next PCC.
5. Churchwardens’ Report
• All work by Ploughcroft is now complete however final costing is unclear. Unable to fully discuss as Margaret Robinson was not present.
• A quote from Happy Days for £855 + VAT has been received to do some pointing – this needs to be done ASAP as we have now had the interior re-plastered. Hilary will arrange for an additional quote.
6. Safeguarding
• Safeguarding – Margaret Chapman has signed the relevant forms to be registered as a verifier and Kathy has transferred all correspondence/checks etc. to her.
• A discussion followed regarding current rules.
7 Clergy Items
• Neal gave a short speech about the importance of continuing to serve the community, building the Kingdom of God, if St Hilda’s is to survive. What would once have been considered a negative – location – has now become a positive feature of St Hilda’s. A discussion followed.
• Neal, David, Martin and Steven have met to arrange services until January 2018. Martin and Madeleine will lead 2 services per month and the monthly mid-week communion. Neal and the PCC expressed their thanks to them for taking more work on.
8 Deanery Synod
• Inaugural meeting of new Synod was on 22nd June at Halifax Minster. New officers were elected.
• Discussed organising Big Sing in the Piece Hall next year involving all Churches, community groups etc.
• Bishop Nick is to speak to Synod next year.
• A representative from the Council is to speak about Care provision at the next Synod meeting.
9 West View Park Fun Day
• Despite the weather there were approximately 1000 visitors to the event. All agreed it was worth doing and showed a range of different aspects of Christianity and St Hilda’s. Thanks were expressed to Daniel Moss for the banners he produced for St Hilda’s.
10 Choir Vestry
• The development group is to meet to firm up plans. Meeting TBA.
Group consists of – Margaret C, David Mann, Prue Meehan, Barbara Foster & Barbara Robinson.
11. Heating
• Brian Chapman has volunteered to assist in programming the boiler etc., looking in the diary to ensure the church/Whitby Room is warm for groups.
• A quote has been received for the Choir Vestry heater from Slattery’s. Repair = £480 + VAT
New £720 + VAT. Following discussion it was agreed it would be best to buy a new one as there would be guarantees. This should be done before winter, however currently funds are not available.
12 AOB
• Martin asked about a replacement for Neal – Archdeacon Anne has said that in September she would be in touch regarding compiling a new Parish Profile.
• Chairs – St Columbus has agreed to us buying 50 chairs for £100. Arrangements need to be made to pick them up when we are notified.
• MU purchased Confirmation gifts – angel charms – for Hannah, Kathryn and Emily. Donations were received to cover the cost.
• PCC Secretary – Barbara Robinson will take over following this meeting.
Proposed – Margaret C seconded – David Mann All in favour
Thanks were expressed for her taking on this role once again.
• Brian Wood expressed thanks to Neal and Kathy for their work for the Church and the PCC.
13 Date of next meetings
• Tuesday 5th September – 7:30
The meeting ended with prayers.
St Hilda's Church, Halifax 