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​​​​Minutes of PCC Meeting on October 22nd 2024 at 2pm in the Church Hall
Opening Prayer
Janet Thomas led us in prayer.
Present
David Simmons, (Lay Chair) Kay Lobb, Heather McCombie, Tony Woodbridge, Paul Stuart, Trish Wilcocks, Janet Thomas, Linda Lloyd and Ann Rawlinson.
Apologies
Rosemary Aitken, Lorraine Rogers, Tim Rogers, Juliet Dundon and Iris Guinchard sent their apologies.
Minutes of the last PCC Meeting
These were agreed and signed by David Simmons as correct.
Matters arising
Any matters arising were already on the agenda for this meeting.
Safeguarding
Lorraine is to arrange a Domestic Abuse Awareness training session, to be attended by everyone, probably in the new year now.
Finance
Total Cash Assets as at 30.10.24. £72,727.
Deposit Account - General Fund. £47,534.15.
Deposit Account - Tower Fund. £4,771.84.
Remaining funds in Lloyds Current Account.
MMF CONTRIBUTIONS given this year, including October, £15,000.
This leaves £5,846 on this year’s call.
10 MONTHS MINISTRY is £17,380.
After some discussion, it was proposed by Trish, and seconded by Heather, that we make the total payment for this year to be £18,000, which was the amount originally agreed when the Benefice was set up.
This shows goodwill on our part. It was agreed unanimously.
The remaining expenses for the year are the Church and Hall Insurance - approximately £2,600.
And Churchyard Maintenance approximately £1,500.
The GTECH battery Cleaner for the Church was purchased for £180.
Rosemary Aitken has given £520 to cover the cost of the church hall cleaning for a year.
Gift Aid and GASDs claim for July to September amounted to £1,362.79 received.
Paul and David’s Quiz Night raised £300 for churchyard maintenance.
Tim and Lorraine’s sale of donated goods raised £305, also for churchyard maintenance.
Maintenance
Churchyard Maintenance
Kevin Holcomb has decided not to continue next year, as now finding it too much for him. A letter of thanks to be sent to him.
A quote was received from Truro Garden Centre for £3,500 for the year.
No response was given from Glen Humphries.
However, a quote from Cornwall Landscaping and Tree Surgery Services came in at approximately £750 for the year. After discussion with the Churchwardens, this was accepted as too good to miss.
Church Hall Maintenance
The Church Hall roof had been looked at and some slates replaced. As yet we haven’t received a bill.
As regards the redecorating of the Church Hall, we have had one quote of £3;500 from Mr G. for total redecoration.
We are awaiting a quote from Simon Lovell for cleaning and decoration of the kitchen, toilets and entrance hall, and patching of the ceiling in the main room.
We received good advice regarding the control of condensation in the kitchen - open the kitchen hatch to increase the airflow.
As usual, Trish had managed and reported all the financial matters superbly, and the PCC wanted to record their thanks to her.
Transition and Church Services in November and December.
Heather gave a full list of all the church services that were now covered in November and December. Paul said that the new rotas and details of these services would be available this Sunday in church.
We have received an offer of Mulled Wine from the Village Shop for our forthcoming Carol Service on the 15th December.
Janet and Paul now attend Parish Council Meetings and this will help to avoid event date clashes in the village. There is now a place on their website for Church events to be listed.
In the New Year, Paul said there would be a pattern of Jane Darlington taking the first Sunday service of each month, with Holy Communion taking place every second Sunday of each month by visiting clergy.
It was decided to ask early if Archdeacon Clive could take our Easter Service.
As regards the period of Transition, we have no idea as to how long we shall be without a vicar. The three churches will still form the Benefice, and with Martin Pinnock supporting Feock Church, we hope that bridges can be built ready for the appointment of our new vicar.
Succession Planning
With both Paul stepping down as Churchwarden in April, and Trish stepping down as Treasurer, we as a PCC have to keep looking and talking to congregation members who could take over these roles.
Trish has the systems well established now for an easier record of the accounts, and she will be prepared to help anyone new to the role of Treasurer during the changeover.
Open Day Postponement
As the advert was somehow missed being printed in October’s Perran News, it was decided to rearrange the event, provisionally, to Saturday 5th April, 2025.
Any Other Business
As Rev Karen has already left, Janet has arranged to go to the School’s Harvest Festival, in her place.
Ian Halford had asked Kay if the PCC could send a letter of thanks to Mark Pryor for his continued cutting of the hedges around the Graveyard.
Dates of Next Meetings
Standing Committee Meeting - 2pm on Tuesday 7th January, 2025 in the Church Hall.
PCC Meeting - 2pm on Tuesday 14th January, 2025 in the Church Hall.
Grace
David led us in the Grace.
The meeting finished at 3:20pm.
Minutes of PCC Meeting on 14th January 2025 at 2pm in the Church Hall.
Opening Prayer
Janet led us in prayer.
Present
David Simmons (Lay Chair), Kay Lobb, Juliet Dundon, Heather McCombie, Paul Stuart, Trish Wilcocks, Janet Thomas, Lorraine Rogers, Tim Rogers, Rosemary Aitken, and Ann Rawlinson.
Rev Martyn Pinnock was also present for the first part of the meeting.
Apologies
Iris Guinchard
Minutes
Agreed and signed as correct by David Simmons.
Matters Arising
To be dealt with as on the agenda.
Address to the PCC by Martyn Pinnock
Bishop Hugh had invited him to the Waterside Benefice to help sort out an extremely complicated situation. He emphasised that the future needs strong foundations and the past needs to be in the past. There was good work going on in all three parishes, and the last priest, Rev Karen Wilson, was not given enough help from the diocese on her first appointment.
With the Archdeacon being ill, he was unable to step in, to perhaps have sorted the situation that Karen found herself in.
Martyn suggested an open meeting of all three parishes (not just church members) to be chaired by him, with him outlining what happened, so that we can move forward from it. If this works there is a future for the Benefice. Feock wants this too. Each parish is unique but there are similarities too. It was hoped that the meeting would take place late February or early March.
Martyn then invited PCC members to comment and ask questions for him to answer while he was here.
After this, Martyn mentioned the Lent Course at The Hub. It is based on ‘Chocolat’ by Joanne Harris.
Martyn left the meeting at 2:50 pm.
Safeguarding
Lorraine reported that despite all the work that she has done, our Safeguarding Dashboard was showing red, not green. As such we could help meet certain requirements, quite simply.
The PCC discussed how we can better promote a healthy and safer culture. Our strengths are that we are open and welcoming and look out for one another. Again we would look out for vulnerable groups.
DBS is needed by everyone, Simon Vaughan can send links by email for anyone without. Lorraine and Tim are more than willing to help those that find doing things online difficult.
Domestic Abuse Training is no longer mandatory from January 1st 2025.
Lorraine had attended a big Safeguarding Event in Truro Cathedral, with the service being taken by Bishop Hugh. She had laminated some useful sheets that were there, and these would be put on display in the church.
Finance
Trish reported that finances were looking good.
CCLA Deposit Account - General Fund £47,534,15
CCLA Deposit Account - Tower Fund £4,771.84
Remaining funds in Lloyds Current Account Total Cash Assets as at 31/12/24 = £69,274 up £5.836 on last year year end
MMF CONTRIBUTIONS as agreed for this year to TDBF = £18,000
Leaving £2.846 on this years call of £20,286 2025 call £21.627.92
Gift Aid and GASDs claim for the October to Dec received = £1.096
Fund raising total for year = £1665.00
Maintenance costs
C.YARD MAINTENANCE PAID £1150, and letter of thanks to Kevin Holcombe sent.
CHURCH AND CHURCH HALL INSURANCE £3000 paid
We have no other outstanding bills for 2024
QUINQUENNIAL inspection due this month on January 27th, and probably it would cost in the region of £800 to carry out any immediate recommendations.
Charitable Giving
Earl Haig Poppy Appeal £85
Christingle Service Childrens Society £250
Carol Service Cornwall Hospice Care £200
Church Coffee Donations Save the Children £684
Coffee Stop Hidden Help/ Cornwall Air Ambulance £500 TOTAL £1.719.00
There are changes to our electricity contract as C/E have taken control away from 2 Buy 2.Implications to cost ?
Quote from Cornwall Landscaping and Tree Surgery Services of approx £750 for the year. Trish will contact them next month to check that they are will be starting in late March or April
We are still looking to get quotes for further redecorating of the church hall ( £3500 from Mr G. for total redecoration ).
Quote from Steve Lovell for cleaning and decoration of kitchen, toilets . entrance hall and patching of ceiling in main room . £2680
Review of Parochial Fees and weekly Organist Fees
1) Juliet’s fees not reviewed since 2019 - £20 Trish proposed, and Paul seconded, an increase to £25 for a weekly service. This was supported unanimously.
2) Occasional Services Weddings Funerals
Trish proposed, and Paul seconded, to raise Organist fee from £96 to £100 , to raise the Verger fee from £48 to £50, and to raise the Heating fee from £84 to £90. Bell ringers, Organ fund fees to remain unchanged.This was passed unanimously. 3) Offer from Peter Williams Cornwall Councillor for a small donation towards a project.
It was suggested that the Sound System in Church needed looking into and that this might be a suitable project for the Council to fund.
It was also thought that there was a shortage of hymn books with music, for the choir. This would also be looked into.
Fundraising
Lent Lunches would start on Tuesday 11th March, for five weeks.
Janet in charge to organise volunteers.
Perranwell Village Hall is booked for Saturday morning, May 10th. No big plant sale this year, so maybe just coffee, cake and a few side stalls. All ideas to Heather.
Paul’s Really Easy Quiz is booked for Saturday evening, September 6th.
Tim and Lorraine are still happy to sell goods online if anyone has anything of value to give them.
Money raised by after church coffee has been donated to Save the Children, and this will continue.
Church Hall fees of £12 for morning or afternoon sessions, £14 for evening sessions for regular users to remain unchanged. The fees are £25 for one off bookings.
Local Worship Leader and Local Lay Leader
Paul explained that as a Local Worship Leader he could now take services like Janet already does. His course is officially signed off on January 26th.
As a Local Lay Leader, he could outreach and link with the school and Parish Council.
Lorraine proposed and Rosemary seconded support for Paul in these roles. Everyone was in favour.
Succession Planning
David is willing to take on the role of Churchwarden again, on a one year basis. Heather is also willing to stand again.
The role ofTreasurer is still waiting for a new volunteer. It was suggested perhaps Annie Hewitt could perhaps take it on as a paid role in the future.
Meanwhile Trish will stand for another year, with Annie supporting her.
Open Day
This is to be on Saturday 5th April. Hopefully the notice will appear in Perran News this time. The previous organisation by Trish means it is ready to go, with volunteers being coordinated by her.
Church Services for Spring
Holy Communion for January, February, March and April are all arranged. It is proving difficult to arrange Communion for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Easter Day, but obviously being worked on.
A Methodist Minister is on the rota too, the 2nd Sunday in the month at St Piran’s, the 3rd Sunday at Devoran.
The 5th Sunday of the month when it occurs, has been a joint service of late in the Benefice. In March this year it is Mothering Sunday, and it was felt that each church would want their own service.
A discussion followed about joint Benefice services.
Trish proposed, and Paul seconded, that joint services would take place when there was a good reason to have them (eg visiting Bishop) and not necessarily on the 5th Sunday of the month. This was carried, with one abstention.
APCM
This was fixed for Sunday 6th April 2025. All reports to be sent to Kay by March 1st, at the very latest.
Paul, Tony, Tim and Rosemary need to be nominated to continue standing on the PCC this year.
Rosemary said that she regretfully would not continue to be on the PCC due to hearing difficulties at meetings. This also meant that she would be standing down from the Deanery Synod.
Any Other Business
A friend of Tim had his life’s work in paintings on exhibit at Truro Cathedral, and wanted to donate one of these to our church.
Date of Next Meeting, to be arranged. There will be a meeting after church one week, to adopt the accounts.
Meeting closed with the Grace at 4:30pm.
Minutes of PCC Meeting on July 9th 2024 at 2pm in the Church Hall
Opening Prayer
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Present: Revd. Karen Wilson, Kay Lobb, Juliet Dundon, David Simmons, Heather McCombie, Tony Woodbridge, Paul Stuart, Trish Wilcocks, Janet Thomas, Lorraine Rogers, Tim Rogers, Linda Lloyd, Iris Guinchard
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Apologies
Rosemary Aitken and Ann Rawlinson sent their apologies.
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Minutes of the last PCC Meeting
These were agreed and signed by Rev Karen as correct.
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Matters arising
Same Sex Blessings to be put on the agenda for the next meeting, as members had wanted time to reflect. Rev Karen would send links to our new Church Warden and new PCC members with information about Same Sex Blessings. As yet, Rev Karen had not received any enquiries from parishioners.
Heartfelt thanks were given to Janet and her team for raising £1200 (plus gift aid) at the Lent Lunches this year. They went very well as usual.
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Safeguarding
Lorraine said that the action plan and safeguarding policy were all on the dashboard. Posters were on display with procedures for safeguarding concerns or allegations and contained Karen’s and Lorraine’s phone numbers.
She had to make a note of which activities took place on a regular basis in the church hall - namely, U3A, Keep Fit, Pilates (non Church)
and Handbells, Bellringing and some Coffee Meetings (Church linked).
DBS checks were up to date. Some members need to do basic training, with Lorraine’s help.
Domestic Abuse awareness training needs to be done by everyone. Lorraine suggested that we did this as a group in the wintertime.
Although posters and information about safeguarding are around us, Tim suggested that we mention in church each week, to think about those who are struggling or have problems.
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Finance
Total End of Month June Balance £71,297
Deposit Account £44,583.15 General Fund
£4,791.84 Bells & Tower Fund
Remainder in Lloyds Current Account
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IN
£638 Interest from our deposit accounts, for the second quarter of year.
£1000 received from Owen Blatchly’s estate (from David Hoddinott) into Fabric Fund. A letter of thanks has been sent.
£650 Parish Grant for Churchyard Maintenance.
£1060.01 raised by the Plant Sale.
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OUT
£7500 MMF contribution to end of June.
£2000 sent in July.
(MMF CALL FOR THE YEAR = £20,846.28)
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Church Copyright Licences have been renewed.
Second Quarter Parochial Fees have been sent to the Diocese.
Gift Aid and Small Donations claim has been submitted for the second quarter and should yield £1000 which again is used to support our MMF call.
Trish has completed and returned the Energy Footprint Tool for 2023.
Cost of Churchyard Maintenance.
Kevin is only continuing with this until the end of the year, so we need to be considering options from January.
Maybe Glen Humphries, depending on cost. Maybe a discreet enquiry to the Parish Council on what his fees are.
As an aside, a social media complaint about the churchyard was seen briefly, but quickly taken down. No one was really sure what that was all about.
Church hall Cleaning,
Tracy has taken over from Sophie from the beginning of June and will see how it goes. The funding of £10 per week, has initially be covered by a donation in May 2023, and has now been fully spent and so is now coming out of the general fund. Rosemary has indicated that she will donate a similar sum this year to cover cleaning costs.
Church Cleaning
Trish proposed, and Paul seconded, a motion to buy a Lightweight Battery GTech hoover or similar to use. The other vacuum cleaners were getting old, were heavy, and needed the extension lead to reach everywhere, and a new one would be easier for our volunteer cleaners to use.
This was passed unanimously.
Fundraising
Quiz on September 7th in the Village Hall - being organised by Paul and David.
Facebook Marketplace Sale of Donated Goods - Tim and Lorraine were happy to continue to do this, but needed new goods to sell. A notice to be given out in church.
Plant Sale - Janet and Heather felt unable to continue with it in its present form, SO much physical work is involved.
Paul had an idea about producing a book to sell for church funds, with contributions from both congregation members and the local school. This is to be investigated further and considered at our next meeting.
Succession
Treasurer - Trish had wanted to stand down as Treasurer this year, but without anyone taking it over, has continued for what will be her final year. We need try and find a successor. Tony is still willing to help a new Treasurer.
Churchwarden - Paul has said that this will be his last year being a Churchwarden, having held the post for nine years. Again we need to find someone else willing to take on the role.
Janet proposed a vote of thanks to them both, for tirelessly doing the roles for so long.
Confidential Discussion regarding an application for training within the Truro Diocese
Following explanations of procedures and training, the application was fully supported by the remaining members of the PCC.
Survey
After discussion, Lorraine proposed that the survey be rejected and removed from the website (it was in St Piran’s PCC password protected section) and other forms of outreach be considered at the next meeting. Juliet seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.
Maintenance
Church Hall Roof - several tiles had slipped and it was being looked at as soon as possible. Hopefully damp problems will be avoided by prompt action.
Church Hall Kitchen and Toilets
These need redecoration, the funding for which needs PCC approval. Paul proposed and Kay seconded, that the funding be approved. Carried unanimously.
Any Other Business
None.
Dates of Next Meetings.
Standing Committee Meeting - 2pm, Tuesday 1st October in the Church Hall.
PCC Meeting - 2pm, Tuesday 8th October in the Church Hall.
Grace
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Minutes of the Vestry Meeting after the Church Service on Sunday March 17th, 2024.
Present: All members of the PCC, with the exception of Veronica Eccleston and Tim Rogers who sent their apologies.
Rev Karen Wilson called the meeting so that the PCC could accept the financial report of St Piran’s Church, prior to the forthcoming APCM meeting.
Tricia outlined the general financial position as being very similar to last year. Tim Best had examined the reports as being a true representation. The accounts were accepted unanimously and a huge thanks was given to Trish for all the work involved.
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Minutes of PCC Meeting on January 16th 2024 at 2pm in the Church Hall
Opening Prayer
Present
All members of the PCC were in attendance.
Opening statement by Rev Karen
Karen thanked everyone for all the hard work that had gone into the funerals of Owen and John at the weekend. She had received many emails commending the warm welcome in the church.
Minutes of the last PCC meeting
These were agreed and signed by Karen.
Tony, David and Tim were all concerned that they were not receiving emails from me about the minutes, and Paul agreed to look into this.
They are always available to PCC members through the website.
Matters arising
Janet told us that following her visit to Perranarworthal School, Trish and her went into the school in December to make Christingles with the children.
The headteacher accompanied four children to take part in our Christingle Service. She also attended our Carol Service and played the harp for us to enjoy.
It is hoped that this is the start of a good school / church relationship.
Living in Love and Faith
Karen explained that from December 17th 2023, prayers and blessings for some sex relationships can now be used during a Church Service, but not as a stand alone service. The House of Bishops are still in discussion about a separate same sex blessing service.
If St Piran’s wanted to use these prayers for same sex partnerships in a Sunday Service, it would have to be approved by the PCC first.
There followed a lengthy discussion as to how this would work in practice and if we wanted to approve the use of them. Initially, any couple would have to ask Rev Karen first and have a pastoral discussion with her. Only priests could carry out the blessing, not lay worship leaders. It would be announced in advance that a blessing would be included in a Sunday Service. It was felt that we wanted to continue to be a welcoming church to all.
When put to a vote, 9 were in favour, and 4 were in favour too, but wanted to give the prayers that we choose to use, further thought and reflection.
Karen explained that the Liturgy can be found on the Church of England’s website under ‘Living in Love and Faith.’
Preparation of Reports for APCM on Sunday 14th April 2024
It was explained to the secretary that these reports would have to be collated and then displayed for a fortnight before the meeting, so the deadline to send them to Kay was agreed as March 1st 2024.
Kay was going to do a zoom course to help organise her first APCM.
Succession Management
Trish reminded us that she no longer wanted to be Treasurer after April. Tony offered to help any new treasurer appointed. A unanimous vote of thanks was given to Trish, for all the hard work she has done over the years.
David also said that he was standing down as Churchwarden in April.
Veronica may be leaving in July too, so we would need another Sacristan then.
Karen agreed to give out in the notices that we are looking for people to take over these roles. All the PCC members would also give thought to how these roles could be filled.
Finance
Trish reported that the finances were in a healthy state, with total monetary assets for end of year to Dec 31st being £63,438. (This is very similar to last year). £40,358 was in the CCLA deposit account, so that it could gain 5% interest.
The MMF paid for 2023 was £18,000.
Church/ Church Hall Insurance £2,890.
Churchyard Maintenance £1,100.
Wheelchair Ramp £126.
Deposit for Altar Frontal £1,704.
Welcome Cards £64.
Candle holders £60.
All other utility and maintenance bills paid in full.
Regular Giving and Plate Collections totalled £19,500.
A donation of £500 was received from Judy Carver for the altar frontal in memory of David Golding.
The Fundraising Total for the year was £1,695.
Breakfasts / Sausage Sizzler Total for year was £1030.85, and put in the Waterside Account.
Charitable Giving Total for the year was £2,165, plus Lent Lunches raised £1510 + gift aid £227.
It was decided to continue with the Church Coffee Money going to Save the Children, and some of the Coffee Stop Money to go to the Women’s Refuge, Truro.
Fundraising
There would be a plant sale again this year, and Paul was set to do another quiz in September.
Safeguarding
Lorraine asked if in future, Safeguarding could be higher up in the agenda, due to its ongoing importance. This was duly noted.
Lorraine had received an online survey to complete for the Church of England External Safeguarding Audit. She had already completed hers, but asked for the survey to be sent to all members of the PCC for others to complete too.
The new posters entitled The Five Standards (of safeguarding) had been received for display. The five standards concern
1 Culture, Leadership and Capability
2 Prevention
3 Recognising, Assessing and Managing
4 Victims and Survivors
5 Learning, Supervision and Support
These were unanimously accepted by the PCC, and will need to be reaffirmed at the APCM each year.
There is a Safeguarding link on the website for up to date information.
There is a Safer Recruitment Course accessible online which Janet had already completed. Other PCC members can do this too.
Lorraine was thanked for all her hard work involved in keeping up with the Safeguarding procedures.
Feedback from Ministry Meeting
The meeting had been postponed and rescheduled for a later date.
Lent Course
The Waterside Churches Lent Course would start on Wednesday 14th February at 2pm in the Church Hall at St Piran’s. The other dates are 21st, 28th February and 6th, 13th March. The course is based on a book called Balance.
AOB
Janet still needed more volunteers to help her run the Lent Lunches on Tuesdays 20th and 27th February, and 5th, 12th and 19th March.
Paul reported that a National Grid team had inspected the church on Monday morning to see why we had a power outage on Sunday. It was found that the cold snap of weather, and three days of services had overloaded the system and caused the outage. This could be resolved by them, but would need our approval for the go ahead. Trish proposed we approved, David seconded it and it was passed unanimously.
Date of next meeting
APCM to take place on Sunday 14th April after the church service.