PCC 29th January 2026

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Attendance

The Reverend Tim Heaney (Chairperson)(TH), The Reverend David Oakden (DO), John Slater (JS) – Treasurer, Helen Corbett (HC) – Churchwarden, Alison Oakden (AO) - Food Bank Co-ordinator, Richard Melhuish (RM),  Roger Buckley (RB). Margaret Roberts (MR) - part, Janis Stanhope (JCS), Ben Thorn (BT), Arthur Webb (AW).

Apologies Nina Kingshott - Safeguarding Officer (NK),  

Minutes were taken by Yvonne Alfert (YA), Parish Administrator.

Opening Prayer

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Minutes of PCC Meeting held on 13^th November 2025

Agreed by PCC.

Matters Arising:  None

YA

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Finance - Treasurer Report

Papers had been distributed prior to the meeting.John Slater (JS) reported that the accounts were still in surplus.  The CCLA had reduced by £5,000 but this had increased the previous year.

JS explained the difference between Parish Giving and Donations.  Parish Giving automatically collects Gift Aid, whilst Gift Aid on Donations needed to be applied for.

JS reported the draft annual accounts would be ready in the next few weeks.

Information was needed from each PCC Member for CCLA forms which was to be sent to YA.

The revised Parochial Fees for 2026 were agreed by PCC.

ALL/YA

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Churchwardens’ Fabric Report –HC presented her report which had been circulated prior to the meeting and RM reported on the element he had been involved with.

St Martha’s

PCC agreed a new card reader could be purchased for the Tea Bars.

In view of the invaluable free repairs service Harry Moss had provided to the church, it was agreed by PCC that a donation of £200 should be made to his Ukranian appeal.

HC and JCS had provided a five year budget for the monies donated by the benefactor.  This included an organ service and a fee rise for John Maby, the organist.  DO agreed he would discuss with John Maby.  HC asked JS to ensure a New Restricted Fund was set up for the money for the organ, organist and visiting clergy.  HC, JCS and JS would discuss how this money would be managed. TH agreed to write to the benefactor to thank him.

HC reported that the Quinquennial Report showed St Martha’s to be in generally good condition with a few items to be looked at in the next year.

HC would discuss inviting the Bishop of Guildford to St Martha’s with TH and DO.

RM then reported on the soakaway.  After investigation, it was proposed that the pipework should run along the side of the path on the south side and through the east gate where it would then be directed northwards outside the graveyard.  He would ask a Land and Water senior engineer to measure and draw up plans on a pro bono basis.  Quotes for the work could then be obtained whilst a faculty was being prepared.  PCC approved this way forward.

St Thomas’

HC requested a further card-reader one extra key for the Vestry.  This was agreed by PCC.

HC and JCS were thanked for all their hard work with the Benefactor monies and RM was thanked for all his work on the soakaway.

JS

JS

DO

HC/JCS/JS

TH

HC

HC/DO/TH

RM

JS

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Gravespace at St Martha’s

DO had received two petitions faculty for the reservation of a gravespace at St Martha’s which were discussed by the PCC. 

One Petition that was agreed was for a lady who was asked to be buried next to her husband who had an existing faculty to be buried in the graveyard.

The other Petition for was for a visiting clergyman and his wife which was also agreed

DO

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Change of Benefice Name

Papers and correspondence regarding the change of the Benefice name had been circulated prior to the meeting.  After a short discussion a vote was taken.  In favour of the change – 7, against the change -2, abstention -1.  TH would report this back to the Bishop of Guildford’s office.

HC thanked TH for agreeing to the additional Sunday Services at St Martha’s.

TH reported that there would be a rolling three monthly programme of services and events by the end of February.

TH

TH/DO

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Clergy Report

This had been circulated prior to the meeting.  DO emphasised the need for the church to engage with young people.

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Parish Share

JCS volunteered to collect the responses to the questionnaire from the members of the PCC, collate them and bring them back to the next meeting.

JCS

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Safeguarding Update

PCC unanimously agreed to using the DBS Checking company recommended by the Diocese.

NK

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Foodbank & Tinies & Toddler Sessions

AO had circulated reports prior to the meeting.

The Parish had been approached by a Family Support group for free room hire for their drop-in sessions as they had no budget for this.  PCC agreed to the arrangement.

AO

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Deanery Synod Report

There had been no meetings since the last PCC.

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Any Other Business

TH reported that arrangements had been made for a procession with a donkey from St Martha’s car park up to the church on Palm Sunday, simulating the journey into Jerusalem.  This would be followed by a service and picnic.

YA noted that a new GDPR policy needed to be drafted in view of the changes in the Benefice.  TH said new policies would be drafted as part of the administration review and he was expecting a report back from the consultant in the next few weeks.

It was suggested  a biblical quote should be hung from the church Notice Boards.  In addition there could be an inscribed stone, or brass plaque attached to the church.  It was agreed this would be discussed at the next meeting.  In the meantime RM would mention this to Wendy Harris so establish if a faculty was required.

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Date of the Next PCC  Meeting

Thursday, 26^th March 2026 at 7.30pm, St Thomas’ Church.

ALL

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Date of APCM

Thursday, 21^st May at 7.30 pm

ALL

The Grace