Held on 13/10/2008 at 7:30 p.m. at 9, Barnett’s Well, Draycott.
2. Attendance, apologies and welcome
3. Minutes of previous meeting
Stanley
opened the meeting with a prayer. Tricia Heckbert took the chair.
|
Present David Cheetham Chris Green Tricia
Heckbert Colette Jeff Barry
Rose |
DC
CG TH CJ
BR |
Apologies Tricia Lumley Thea Oliver Richard Dingley Sylvia Dingley |
TL TO RD
SD |
Stanley Price (SP) was also in attendance to brief us about the Font
appeal.
Minutes of the 01/09/2008
meeting were agreed as accurate.
6 c (Electric
cable hazard/ lighting rearrangement).
DC moved the cable. He will investigate the re-directing of the lights
in the chancel with Ray.
6 d (Old
hymn books). Rodney Stoke would like to borrow them over Christmas- BR to
arrange.
7 c i. (Insurance)
Not done.
7 c ii. (Lightning
rods) SP’s advice was that we should get the works actioned as we might
otherwise invalidate our insurance.
7 c iv. (Sandbags) Sandbags are available
from B&Q and Maunders. DC to enquire.
7 c v. (Temporary Event Notification for
Harvest Supper) CG had obtained one and was reimbursed from proceeds on the
night.
8 a (Monument
in Graveyard) CG had to get a signature from the Archdeacon, in the absence of
an Incumbent and Rural Dean. A cheque was then posted to us, and passed on to
DC. However DC had returned it as they should not be paying us, but MDC (as
they own the graveyard). CG had spent rather a lot of time on this and
evidently been misinformed!
8 c (English
Heritage- last part of grant) Chedburn has sent the final certificate to RD,
and the final bill can now be paid. The diocese will also need a copy to cover
the faculty. NB. With RD away, DC will request a copy of the certificate so
that he can action.
(items received and added to agenda- 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c)
SP- Sarah Leaver (assistant to Registrar John Rees) suggested dates of 3, 4, or 5th November.
We shall need to decide about legal representation- may need both QC and a solicitor. SP has been in discussion with Andrew Johnson and Martin Follett. We have no money to spend! We also need to bolster our case by following up grant giving bodies (so that we are not seen to be taking no action on finding alternative funding).
NB. Estimates so far for legal costs: Solicitor, £1,500; Counsel, £1-2,000 per day; preparation, £1,500; cost of court, £2,500 per day.
ACTIONS:
· SP to continue discussions on legal representation, and find less expensive cousel.
· SP to seek support from RD and TO (NB. RD will be back from 23rd Nov)
· SP will ask the Dean for an extension to prepare our case
· DC will approach Victor Skinner to get contacts for the different bodies he previously approached (NB. Somerset Churches & Chapels, English Heritage, Somerset Aggregates).
CG had received a notification from Penny Cooke, Diocesan property officer, that there was an intention to sell the current vicarage and buy a property called ‘Yeodens’ in Station Road. The parish would still have use of the large parish room at the existing vicarage.
The meeting was split on the desirability of the move. Since the meeting was probably not quorate, and was certainly divided, it was not possible to come to a decision.
The meeting to shortlist the
candidates was fixed for 29th October, and the visits and interviews
for 20th and 21st November. Draycott representatives on
the panel will be Nikki Devitt and Thea Oliver.
There
had been a meeting of the joint worship group in Rodney Stoke parish hall on 10th
September, and CG had previously circulated some notes. Two of the
recommendations that came from the meeting were aired:
· Extend the use of the
metrical Creed and Gloria (previously tried at Draycott)? Opinion was divided-
some were keen to preserve the text of the Nicene or the Apostles creed, and
the opinion was expressed that singing a creed was not acceptable.
· Do without the Prayer of
Humble Access? We could not agree on this either. Perhaps we should leave all
such changes until a new incumbent is appointed?
ACTION: None, unless the PCC wish
to revisit these ideas when there are more members present.
i.
The
light in the kitchen needs to be replaced.
ACTION: DC will look at it and
replace if possible.
ii. Box for music system. This
was found to be open last Sunday, although the contents were undamaged. We did
not know how this happened, but the locking is not very secure.
Funds: £6,500 (approx) in general fund, £4,185 in the refurbishment fund.
DC will not pay further instalments to the parish share whilst we have legal expenses over the Font sale appeal in prospect. The meeting supported this.
i.
The
Harvest Supper had been very successful, and made £390. £185 was donated to the
Community of the Sisters of the Church, and the rest went to our refurbishment
fund (we were going to divide it equally but there was a late contribution
after the cheque had already been sent to the Sisters).
ii.
The
table top sale raised £30.
iii.
The
soup lunch will be on Saturday 15th November.
iv.
We
are helping in the PTAF Christmas Fair on the 6th December.
Pulpit exchange- 26th October
The two readers have officially started their course. Fees have already been paid by the treasurer (£200 per reader). Chris and Nikki will fund one of these places, as it is too heavy a burden for a single parish to fund both.
Is the license for one or for both parishes? If for both (the most likely), can we get a contribution from Rodney Stoke?
Some celebrants are happier to run the service than others. We should check with them to see whether someone should assist (as TO did most ably when Dick Ackworth was late).
They also need some more instruction from us, to warn them of local requirements in advance.
ACTION: BR will draw up a sheet of instructions for visiting celebrants, and get in touch with them.
There is a problem with the super-octave coupler. Something needs to be done about it.
ACTION: DC will call in the organ tuner.
Michael Taylor and David Cheetham have agreed on the joint service for both Draycott and Rodney Stoke. Gordon is choosing the readings at Draycott, Rodney Stoke no doubt have their own ones in hand.
· Bible Society- Jamaican evening (23rd October)
· Next PCC- 11th November, 9 Barnett’s Well (apologies from RD, SD)
· Following PCC- 9th December, 9 Barnett’s Well.
The meeting was closed with the Grace.