Redacted Minutes fo PCC Meeting held on 13th November 2025

1.0

1.1

Attendance

The Reverend David Oakden Chairperson, (DO), John Slater (JS) – Treasurer, Helen Corbett (HC) – Churchwarden, Alison Oakden (AO) - Food Bank Co-ordinator, Nina Kingshott - Safeguarding Officer (NK), Richard Melhuish (RM),  Roger Buckley (RB). Margaret Roberts (MR) - part, Janis Stanhope (JCS)

Apologies:  The Reverend Tim Heaney (TH), Ben Thorn (BT), Arthur Webb (AW).

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

Opening Prayer

2.0

2.1

2.1.1

2.1.2

Minutes of PCC Meeting held on 11^th September 2025

Agreed by PCC.

Matters Arising:

(4.1.3)  HC reported that former verger is yet to pass on the key to St Martha’s to current verger.

(13.1)  YA reported that the current magazine printers had agreed to lower their costs and therefore PCC agreed to stay with them for the foreseeable future.

YA

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.6.1

3.6.2

3.6.3

3.6.4

3.6.5

Finance - Treasurer Report

John Slater (JS) reported that the accounts were still in surplus, largely due to a £20k legacy ringfenced to the St Martha’s fabric fund.  There was also an additional legacy of £3k which was also for the restricted fund.

JS asked PCC for their approval to move some of the funds to a higher interest deposit account.  This was agreed.

JS noted that the income from interest on the verger account was just about covering the cost of the role but warned this may change if interest rates fall.  He also reported that the CCL account was paying good returns at the moment.

DO thanked everyone for their fundraising efforts.

JS asked if there could be some system put in place to simplify the Tea Bar Sum-Up system and cash envelopes, especially when an outside charity was involved.  He suggested a shared online diary/excel spreadsheet could be used.

AO reported that monies that came in for the Food Bank were going into the general fund and were then moved onto a debit card for purchases.  She reported that lately there had been a cash flow problem. 

AO and DO had discussed whether some the money in the general fund could be used for the Food Bank under outward giving and then replenished with monies that have not yet been banked.

DO also pointed out that Church Tithing could be a solution with 10% of the church income being used in this way.  JS confirmed this would be around £12-15K

JCS asked how much would be required per month as there may be other requirements for the money for the Church.  – AO stated around £500 in addition to the goods donated.

HC pointed out that the Tea Bar could generate more money for the Food Bank if there were volunteers available.

There was an agreement that the general fund would subsidise the Food Bank over the next three months, as per 3.6.1 above, with a review of the funding at the next PCC.

JS

JS

JS

4.0

4.1

4.1.1

4.1.2

4.1.3

4.1.4

4.2

4.3

4.4

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

St Martha’s

Further to RM’s reporting at the previous PCC meeting, due to ash interments alongside the wall in the Churchyard, the only solution for the soakaway would be to run it through the East Gate and then in a northerly direction. .  He had been given an approximate quote of around £10k but felt this could be managed down.  He also reported that the Estate were on board.  PCC agreed that RM could pursue this proposal

No new faculty would be required and the next step would be to amend the existing one.  He would also contact the Quantity Surveyor and report back to the National Trust.

As per her report, HC was liaising with a possible benefactor who had offered to pay for the visiting Clergy and the Organist and servicing/repairs to the organ and piano for the next five years.

HC would scan the Verger Contract and forward to YA to send to all PCC members.

St Thomas’

HC requested a further card-reader and two keys for the Vestry.  This was agreed by PCC.

Both Churches

It was agreed that electrical appliance tests should be arranged for both churches.

Church House

HC’s report had contained quotes for repair work and renewal of the porch at Church House.  After discussion, PCC agreed that the quote for £4,500 from Guildford Roofing should be accepted.

RM

RM

HC

HC

JS/HC

HC

HC

5.0

5.1

5.2

Clergy Wellbeing Covenant

PCC confirmed they had all read the Covenant and agreed they would monitor the situation.  DO asked that his weekly day off on a Friday be respected, with no contact except in an emergency.

AO pointed out that Area Dean could be contacted with any concerns about DO’s welfare.

ALL

ALL

6.0

6.1

Clergy Report

This had been circulated prior to the meeting

7.0

Parish Needs Process

There was no further update at the present time.

8.0

Parish Share

JS had received a Parish Share Questionnaire from the Diocese, to be distributed to PC by YA.

YA

9.0

9.1

9.2

Safeguarding Update

A Safeguarding Report had been circulated prior to the meeting.

NK reported no concerns but emphasised the need to remain vigilant.

10.0

10.1

10.2

10.3

Foodbank Update:

AO had circulated a report prior to the meeting.

AO felt it would be beneficial for her to write a report on how the Food Bank works for the magazine/website.

AO asked for a dedicated phone for Whatsapp communications.  YA had an old one which was no longer in use and would pass this on.

AO

YA

11.0

11.1

Deanery Synod Report

NK reported that Safeguarding Officers would be having a meeting with the Safeguarding Caseworker at a meeting on 11^th November.

NK

12.0

12.1

12.2

Any Other Business

YA was asked to put Covenant for Racial Justice onto the website

MR agreed to carry out Risk Assessments at St Martha’ for the Coromarta Concert and noted the South Door needed some attention to open/close more easily

YA

MR/HC

13.0

13.1

Date of the Next PCC  Meeting

Thursday, 29^th January at 7.30pm, St Thomas’ Church.

ALL

The Grace