Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 12th November 2019 at 7.45pm in the Stable
Present: Valerie Oertel (chair), Ann Adams (Churchwarden) Sally Cripsey, Nick Cullum, Jan Diffey, Julie Longbottom, Carol Watts, Liz White, Mike White
VO welcomed members and opened the meeting with prayer.
Apologies: Jenny Hayward, Warren Foot, Amy Johnston, Elisabeth Le Mesurier
The Minutes of Tuesday 10th September were signed as a correct record.
Matters arising:
Mission Action Plan: AA said that an up to date MAP is now urgent and the format of the MAP has changed from previous years. The last MAP for Haynes is 2016 and no one is aware of a more recent copy. EW has rung the Diocesan office and the last Mission Action Plan they received was from 2016. This makes things difficult as we have to refer to the previous MAP to state progress on given goals. VO and EW offered to help AA to complete the new MAP which is needed for the Parish profile. AA to then complete MAP. Action: AA, VO, EW
Hole from Boiler House to Church: MW said that this has now been completed. Dave Clarke had purchased and fitted the materials and MW proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to him. Action: EW – letter
Tile missing in Lady Chapel: AA said that she had contacted the DAC for a list of specialists in order to repair and fit the missing tile – no Faculty required. However, the list was not specialist companies. JD said that PD could look at the tile and the problems and we could then seek specialist help if necessary. Action: JD, PD
Churchyard Burial Plan: It is essential that this is now brought up to date, E Le M has handed over her most recent records (thanks expressed to her for all her help in the past). AA, VO and Graham Johnston will work on an updated plan.
New Church Roof Lights in Nave – this is also mentioned in Churchwardens’ Report. AA said that as the new lights will look different to the old ones, the DAC have said that a Faculty may be needed. AA to start this process on line. Action: AA
Churchwardens’ Report:
At the last meeting the PCC agreed to change the high roof lights in the church. We have checked with the DAC who think we may need a faculty for the new lights because the replacements may look different to the current ones so they have asked us to start the faculty process and once they have seen it they will let us know if it is necessary for us to continue with it.
The broken tile in the Lady Chapel – DAC have given us the names of two companies they have on their list but they are normal flooring companies so it seems no specialist is needed.
We are still receiving emails from the Greensand Trust regarding a grant to rebuild the church walls, As a PCC we agree that this was not necessary but they have contacted us again to advise there is yet more funding so we would not need to match fund. As our quinquennial indicated that some of the walls outside the church needed repointing could we ask if the grant would cover this.
When change the colours in the church last week we found that some of the red hangings are in quite a bad condition, not sure if they could be repaired.
Training: Sally and I attended a training day at Barton recently on Mental Health Awareness. Sally to report on this.
Dean moved out of the Rectory on Wednesday 6th November. Jenny and I went in to the Rectory on Friday to collect papers, books and keys that Dean had left there for us. The papers and keys for Campton and Clophill have been delivered to them.
The heating in the Rectory has been left on low but having checked the oil tank it is almost empty. We have contacted Iain Blyth at the St Albans Estates Dept. who has told us we can order a delivery of oil and will be reimbursed straight away. Iain has asked if Jenny and I can meet with him at the Rectory, this has been arranged for Tuesday 26th November. Peggy and Phil Wedgewood who live next to the Rectory have a set of Rectory keys as they offered to go in should the alarm sound at any time.
Today I ordered 500 Ltrs. of oil from Conquest Oil and this will be delivered to the Rectory this week. The account is in my name but they were happy to send an invoice so it can be paid by the PCC. The invoice will be for £270-06.
I also had an email from a lady called Janet Hurley, who is in the Estates Dept. it was to ask if I would set up an account with Powershop who is the electricity supplier to the Rectory. I have done this but they could not set up the account with the PCC it had to be a named person, so I have put it in mine. This has been set up to be paid by D/D and the sum of £58 per month and will be taken from my account on the 12th of each month starting in December.
As you all know we have a meeting on the 2nd December 7pm at Campton Church so far 17 people from Haynes have said they are going. A part from those on the electoral roll we have also invited the following, Sarah Hearn Head teacher, Steve Collin, Chair of the Parish Council, the Methodist minister and members of the chapel committee, the Baptist minister and Bridget Cuffallo and any of Haynes Park trustees. If there is anyone else you would like to invite let me know and I will get a letter to them.
Jenny and I when to a training meeting which was held in the Stable. It was attended by 8 church wardens, the archdeacons PA, Bishop Richard and Rev Grace who presented the training. The course was entitled Unconscious Bias, it was about how we see or judge people by how they look or how they come over to us. We were told this is quick thinking and we should be slow thinkers when interviewing.
As you may know we will be advertising in the Church Times in January, selecting in February and interviewing in March.
Church Wardens from each parish are now preparing their Church Profile these will be combined to make up a Benefice Profile and the warden will write an introduction about the Benefice
We will be sending out an email in the next day or so to all on the electoral roll as in the profile we will have the following:
‘We are looking for an incumbent who:’
We feel that all church members should have their say on this.
This will be followed by,
‘We will offer you:’
Have your say.
This is an update on where we are at the moment but of course we will email you as things progress.
Ann and Jenny
12/11/19
AA was thanked for all the work she and Jenny have been doing during the interregnum, Points arising from the Churchwardens’ Report;
Greensand Trust money was specifically for walls not for walls of the church
The red ecclesiastical vestments in poor repair. VO agreed to see what could be done. Action: VO
Electricity to Vicarage: Members expressed dismay that AA had to pay the monthly Electricity account from her own bank and were surprised that the Diocese did not have some contingency cover during periods of interregnum. JL to pay SO into AA’s account each month to cover this. Action: JL
Vacancy Interview Arrangements – extra PCC meetings.
EW had already sent details to the PCC of the letters AA has received regarding the Interview process. There will be a meeting at Campton on 2nd December at which parishioners from Campton, Clophill and Haynes can put any questions to Bishop Richard and the Archdeacon.
A letter is being sent on Nov 14th by Ann Jansz (Pastoral and Advisory Officer) with information to which the PCC will have to respond, and a further response will be required after the meeting on 2nd December but before the vacancy details are published in January.
Therefore it was agreed to hold two extra PCC meetings (for the above purposes only) and to formulate our responses.
After church this Sunday, Sunday 17th November and Thursday 5th December at 7.45pm in the Stable
Review of Services to date in interregnum
Everything had been running very well and AA has arranged cover for all services up to next April. She was thanked for the enormous hard work she has put into this. Patsy Critchley was thanked for all the regular services she is conducting, as well as Paul Langham and the Lay Leaders.
Treasurer’s Report: JL spoke to the accounts to 31/10/19 which had been previously circulated. She answered questions, and said that as the accounts are comparatively healthy at present, she would like to move some funds into the Deposit Account. This was agreed and JL was thanked for her excellent and clear accounts.
Grant for repair of churchyard wall.
MW said that despite having told BRCC in writing that we did not want to proceed with this, they can continued to ask us and had also approached P3. MW explained that The Greensand Trust would be prepared to give us money to repair the church wall (which is not in a very poor state of repair) but there would be a considerable shortfall (approx £6000) for which we could apply for grants. There would still be a shortfall as we would have to pay survey fees, architect’s fees and VAT. Decision not to proceed and no further action required.
Church Policy on Reserved Grave Spaces
MW said that as Dean Henley and Alan and Gill Morgan had now reserved grave spaces it would be wise (as per DH’s advice) to have a PCC policy regarding the reservation of grave spaces. Two younger people had asked for grave spaces to be reserved, but it needs to be pointed out that the reservation is only for 25 years and there is a considerable fee.
MW to prepare a draft policy on his for consideration at a future PCC. Action: MW
Report on Mental Illness Awareness Course: SC said that she and AA had attended a course at Barton organised by MIND and found it to be a very worthwhile and moving course.
Fundraising and Future Events:
David Parson’s Wildlife Talk 23rd November (EW, CW to make cakes NC to ask CC)
Church having stall at Christmas Bazaar – 7th December
Ceilidh – 7th March 2020
Ukulele Evening -end of October 2020
Correspondence: EW passes on all communications she receives by e-mail.
AA read out a lovely letter of thanks from Sarah Hearn, the Headteacher of Haynes Lower School, following the whole school visit for Harvest Festival.
AOB: SC asked if the Christmas Services could be outlined
Wednesday 18th December – Haynes Lower School Carol Service – children arriving at 1.30. Service starts at 2.30pm
Sunday 8th December – Christingle Service. Items to be collected for the Food Bank, particularly boxes of chocolates, sweets, toiletries etc which could be given as gifts.
Sunday 22nd December – 6pm – Carol Service
Christmas Eve – 24th December 3pm Crib Service
Christmas Eve -Midnight Mass – Haynes
No service in Haynes on Christmas Day
VO closed the meeting with The Grace
Meeting finished at 9pm
Next Meetings:
Sunday 17th November after church
Thursday 5th December at 7.45pm in the Stable
Next normal PCC meeting : Tuesday 14th January 2020 at 7.45pm in the Stable