St Mary’s Church, Cleobury Mortimer
Minutes of the PCC meeting held on Thursday 11th July 2024 at 7.30pm in the Market Hall.
Present: Ashley Buck, Liz Smith, Gill Clarke, Nigel Hodgson, Ina Hodgson, Sunila Fernando, Linda Lambert, Hannah Coleman, Danielle Collins, Jenny Watkins, Francesca Boufarouj.
1. Opening prayer: The meeting was opened with a prayer by Ashley Buck.
2. Apologies for absence: Sarah Wilde
3. Approval of minutes of meeting held on 23rd May 2024: Proposed by LS. Seconded by HC.
4. Matters arising: There were none.
5. Finance / Budget / Fundraising (HC): Our Parish Offer for 2025 needs to be communicated to the Diocese by 31st July. AB suggested that the Parish Offer be raised by a small amount with the agreement that we will give more if possible. HC proposed a percentage increase. £22,000 for the year (10% increase) proposed by LL. Seconded by LS. Voted and passed with 1 abstention.
HC confirmed she has booked herself onto the finance element of the workshops run by the Central Diocesan finance, parish giving, property and buildings team.
Funerals line of the budget sheet: Margaret Robinson's funeral donations haven't yet been forwarded to the relevant charities, due to confusion over whether there was more money to come. However, these funds will be forwarded soon.
NH suggested future fundraising funds be used for projects, not routine expenditure. Proposed by NH. Seconded by GC. Voted on and passed unanimously.
6. Maintenance ( NH ): The quinquennial is due in 2025. PAT not yet done for this year. NH intends to get a contractor in to do the testing, and at the same time the 5 yearly check, maintenance of lights and quotes for emergency lighting. 3 people have joined the Building Development Group.
7. Pastoral Care ( LS ): The Pastoral Care group is busy across the parish and has a new recruit. 3 residents of Doddington Lodge receive communion and 2 people in the town. LS advised that many people were unaware that the group can deliver communion and that we be more forthcoming about this. AB suggested putting something in the Clarion to raise awareness of this service.
8. Pastoral matters ( AB ): Archdeacon of Worcester Diocese will be taking services between once a month to once every 6 weeks. Mark Daborn has also joined the Benefice.
9. Youth and Family Work ( AB ): AB’s work with schools continues. Expansion of this work is planned. Lacon Childe School and Cleobury Mortimer Primary School will be involved with the Charter Day service.
LS suggested that something be announced to make people aware that The Hub is now entirely separate from St. Mary's, in the context of congratulating The Hub about their new project.
10. Deanery Synod: Deanery Synod has not yet met but will be meeting in September. Lynn Money, parish clergy, is retiring. Kelvin Price is now sole rector of Ludlow. This will mean Deanery rearrangements, but these will not affect Cleobury Mortimer Benefice.
11. Safeguarding ( LS ): Training has been completed by many of those that need to complete it but a small number are outstanding. LS will be emailing those whose training is still outstanding to remind them, as it must be completed by the end of the year.
12. Church Development Group ( NH ): NH advised that we need a new architect. The CV of Philip Belchere was previously circulated to the PCC. Philip and NH will be having a meeting in the church on 30th July. He has completed work for other churches locally. LS proposed appointing Philip Belchere as architect. Seconded by DC. This was voted on and passed unanimously.
A list of projects was previously circulated to the PCC. NH advised that some may not be doable for several years due to cost (e.g. movement of organ to its original location). The catering point and handrails are the priority projects due to size and cost. It may be possible to repurpose part of the old pews as handrails.
GC advised that the organ in its old place previously caused problems for the choir and this would need to be taken into consideration. However, the space left by the organ once moved from its current position could be used as a choir vestry.
Items added to list: repositioning of sound system, underfloor heating for chancel, air source heat pump.
We have been included on a list of 600 churches that are not energy efficient, and we should be looking to improve our energy efficiency. Energy audits have been offered, which we will take advantage of.
NH suggested discussing the projects list with Philip Belchere with a view to starting on the priority ones. NH emphasised that the Project Group will not go ahead with any projects without the agreement of the PCC.
LS proposed that the PCC authorise NH to take forward his recommendations. Seconded by JW.
LS advised that the clock is not working, but Chris Kippin is dealing with this matter and has arranged for someone from Cumbria Clock Company to come out.
13. Any Other Business: NH advised that he has completed a faculty training course.
AB advised that we have received an offer of a grand piano for £1000 via Helena. It will extend our music repertoire for family services and concerts. The family selling the piano are not going to move house imminently, so we have some time to think about the offer before making a decision.
GC advised that Cleobury Concert Brass conductor, David Nicholson, has expressed a desire to develop a relationship with the church.
NH advised that he is going to ask for a donation for the cost of electricity for running the town camera router.
AB suggested adding contemporary items e.g. art to the church.
NH asked for permission to remove a wooden coat of arms at the back of the church that has woodworm. Voted and passed unanimously.
LS advised that over the summer holidays she will be looking at how to spend the £900 legacy gift for children's corner. We will advise the family of what the money is spent on.
JW asked if there was a flower bed in the church grounds that is available for planting shrubs to use for greenery for church flower arrangements. NH advised that she will need to make enquiries with the Town Council.
14. Date of Next Meeting and Closing Prayer: The meeting closed with the Grace at 21.13 pm.
Next meeting: 19th September in church, as the Market Hall will be unavailable.