St Hilda’s Church
Minutes of a meeting of the Parochial Church Council, held on Sunday 29th January 2017
Present: Rev. Neal Owen (Chairman), Margaret Chapman, David Mann, Prue Meehan (Treasurer), Kathy Lefroy-Owen (Secretary), Margaret Robinson (Churchwarden,) Hilary Jamieson (Churchwarden), Joyce Mower, Barbara Foster.
The meeting began with prayers
Apologies: Brian Wood
Declaration of Member’s Interest – No declarations were made.
1 Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on Sunday 20th November 2016 were accepted as a true record.
Proposed: Margaret Chapman, seconded: David Mann all in favour.
2 Matters arising
Future minutes to be sent out earlier.
3 St John’s PCC Items
Parish Share has been paid in full.
4 Treasurers Report
• £1000 of this year’s Parish Share has been paid
• Finances are looking healthy – we will now have to start considering finance options more as we are no longer “hand to mouth”.
• Prue has estimated that we are currently using approximately £80 per week in Gas. We are able to cover this amount through the fees users pay.
• Prue to contact Gas & Elec re meters.
• A total of approximately £8900 is in/promised/granted to the Prayer Fund.
• Grant application to Calderdale Community Foundation for £5000 is ready to be sent in.
• The Bishop’s Development Fund (BDF) is open for grant applications. An application for £500 will be submitted.
• Family and Social Welfare Trust also has available funds. An application for £500 will be submitted.
• Margaret Robinson is to look at applying to Awards For All.
5 Churchwardens’ Report
• As we have the funds in the Prayer Fund it was proposed we begin the asbestos removal. Proposed: David Mann, seconded: Margaret Robinson. All in favour. Margaret Robinson will contact BLS to arrange.
• The Faculty for works on the roof and repointing has been received. As soon as we have all the necessary funds work will commence. There are conditions – Architect to speak to builders regarding materials etc. Ecclesiastical Insurance to be notified when scaffolding is erected. Margaret believes Ploughcrofts have been bought out, she is to contact them to check quote.
• Work is required in the garden – removal of stumps – Neal and David to look at this.
• The light above the North door needs a new bulb/replacing. Neal and David to look at.
6 Clergy Items
• Joint Lent group with St Johns. Monday afternoon 2pm and evening 7:30 pm, alternating between the 2 churches. House groups will be suspended during Lent. More information will be available soon.
• Joint service at St Johns on Shrove Tuesday (28th Feb) at 7:30pm. St Johns are providing pancakes.
• Benefice away day – at Mirfield on 22nd April 10:30 to 3:30. A chance to reflect and be spiritual – led by Mirfield staff. All are welcome – bring a friend and your own lunch.
• Neal’s holidays and training – Margaret Chapman has dates. If you cannot reach Neal please contact her or Kathy.
• Celebration Event – Halifax Minster 12th Feb. Neal is to speak. The aim is to celebrate all the good things happening in the Diocese.
• Gathering West – are very grateful for the storage space that has been cleared for them and the very warm welcome they receive. They have offered to reinstate the phone connection and have wireless as a contribution to church as they need it. All costs will be borne by them. Following a discussion it was felt that other groups could benefit from this, as long as they covered costs. Proposed: Barbara Foster, seconded: Hilary – all in favour.
• Event hosted on Saturday 28th January highlighted many issues. As a result a committee to deal with bookings and issues that arise from them e.g. rubbish is to be convened. David, Barbara F, Margaret C & Margaret R volunteered. Martin has also offered his time.
• A request for use of The Whitby Room from 7pm – 11pm during the week and 3pm – 8pm the week of 17th – 22nd July, has been received. Neal has checked with the Gathering West and they will be at New Wine that Saturday. They would want to use the kitchen and also require somewhere inside for men to wait. David suggested that we offer the use of the church as our guests. Following discussion it was felt that as long as a contract was signed regarding costs and expectations, this was a good idea – Proposed: Margaret Chapman, seconded: David Mann all in favour. Neal and Margaret C to meet the parties involved.
• Service times – St John’s main service now starts at 11am. With regard to a review of the time at St Hildas, following discussions the PCC agreed that they are now settled at 9; 30am. Proposed: Prue, seconded: Hilary all in favour.
7 Web Site – the PCC wish to thank John Harrison for all the time and effort he has put in. John has requested that information is sent to him so that he can publicise events on the site. It was discussed and agreed by the PCC that the minutes and agenda be put on the site with any sensitive material removed.
8 Deanery Synod Report
• No meeting since last PCC
9 Churches Together
• No meeting since last PCC
10 Mara
• A total of £107 was collected for the Maize appeal.
14 Any other items
• Welcome choir meeting every 2nd week starting 9th Feb – 3 till 4pm.
• Park Community Choir – meeting every week on Thursdays 1:45 – 2: 45pm.
• Quiz/supper night 17th March – tickets will be available to help with catering. Money to Prayer Fund.
• Richard (Scouts) has offered to hold a “Resuscitation” evening, where he will explain the process. Date to be arranged.
• APCM – Sunday 19th March
• Cleaning working party dates – Saturday 15th April & Saturday 18th November.
• Sunday 19th November – St Hilda’s Gift Day.
• Noticeboard – The PCC thanked Daniel Mann for his time and effort in updating the board.
• Martin has requested we have a “Mara” Sunday and invite a speaker – Neal to arrange.
• Litter and dog fouling – is again a problem. Kathy is to produce some laminated notices regarding litter to be put up outside. Barbara F. will contact the council regarding dog fouling.
• Keys – Neal has passed on a key to upstairs – Linda Maslen – Gathering. He is to contact Nicky – Happy Days regarding the key she was given.
15 Date of next meeting
After the Service – 27th February at 7.30pm
St Hilda's Church, Halifax 