PCC Minutes 11th September 2025

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

Attendance

The Reverend David Oakden Chairperson, The Reverend Tim Heaney (TH), (DO), John Slater (JS) – Treasurer, Alison Oakden (AO) – Food Bank Co-ordinator, Nina Kingshott - Safeguarding Officer (NK), Richard Melhuish (RM), Ben Thorn (BT), Roger Buckley (RB).

Via Zoom:  Margaret Roberts (MR), Janis Stanhope (JCS)

Apologies:  Helen Corbett (HC) – Churchwarden, Arthur Webb (AW).

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

Election of New Member:  Janis Stanhope (JCS) had been proposed by Helen Corbett and seconded by Margaret Roberts prior to the meeting.  The meeting agreed unanimously on her election to the PCC.

Opening Prayer

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.2.1

Minutes of PCC Meeting held on 22^nd July 2025

Agreed by PCC.

DO had received a request to publish redacted minutes.  PCC agreed to the request and Janis Stanhope volunteered to undertake the process.

Matters Arising:  None

JCS

3.0

3.1

3.2

Finance - Treasurer Report

John Slater (JS) presented the Finance Report and noted the following:

The funds had been boosted by legacies

Income from Teabars and Music had increased.

The investment income was shown as down but this was due to timing.

Overall, the picture was encouraging.

Electricity Quotes

JS had obtained Electricity quotes from Parish Buying:

Although greener, the quote for St Martha’s was £26 per month more.

St Thomas’ quote was cheaper.  It was therefore decided to accept the quote for St Thomas’ but defer St Martha’s until next year.

Microsoft Office Premium Accounts

These were no longer to be provided free of charge so it was decided that DO, JS and YA should have a monthly subscription costing £4.00 each.  All the other accounts were unaffected.  YA would contact the IT Contractor to organise.

JS

YA

4.0

4.1

4.1.2

4.1.3

4.1.4

4.2

4.2.1

Churchwardens’ Fabric Report – YA presented this on behalf of HC who had provided notes prior to the meeting.

St Martha’s

RM reported that he had met with the National Trust Surveyor and discussed the issue with the soakaway arrangements to avoid possible damage to the Church’s foundations.  He concluded that there should be a geological survey.  It was agreed that the most likely way would be to follow the route of the existing pipework for the septic tank on the northside to protect Chilworth Manor further down.  Michael Baxter of the Albury Estate Office had no issue with this.  This work was becoming more urgent due to increasing periods of heavy rainfall.

HC had suggested that another key could be cut but it was agreed that this was not necessary at the current time as the verger would be passing hers on to her replacement.  TH stated that the Churchwarden should hold the inventory of all the keys.

DO reported that the new Verger, Arash, was prepared to take on the role full-time following Ruth’s resignation.

Church House

HC was acquiring quotes for repairs to the porch roof.

HC/RM

HC

HC

5.0

5.1

5.2

Covenants

Clergy Wellbeing:  Due to the length and number of points raised in the document, JCS suggested using the checklist as a springboard to adopt some of the suggestions.  DO would go through the list.  TH asked PCC to commit to fully reading the document and it would be brought back to the next PCC meeting for discussion.

Covenant for Racial Justice:  This would also be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

ALL

ALL

6.0

6.1

Clergy Report

This had been circulated prior to the meeting

7.0

7.1

7.2

7.3

Benefice Review

TH thanked those who had attended the service for his wedding and had contributed to his presents and cards.

TH reported that he had held a meeting with DO, HC and JCS the week before, and it had been agreed that weekly services at St Martha’s would continue until the end of January at least.

TH

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

Safeguarding Update

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

NK would liaise with the new members of PCC regarding training.

Unfortunately there had been a data breach but only DO had been affected.

PCC agreed to accept the Safeguarding Hub Service Agreement.

PCC

NK/RB/BT/JCS

NK

9.0

9.1

9.2

Foodbank Update:

AO had circulated a report prior to the meeting.

AO reported there was very little money left in the account.  She and DO were taking the Harvest Festival at Tillingbourne School so hoped there would be food donations from there.

10.0

10.1

10.2

Tinies and Toddlers

AO had circulated a report prior to the meeting.

There was to be a celebration for its first year at the end of October

11.0

11.1

Deanery Synod Report

This had been distributed prior to the meeting.

12.0

12.1

12.2

Church Cleaning – St Thomas’

AO emphasised the need for the Church Room to be kept clean by all users.  She would contact everyone on the cleaning rota and ask them to continue, emphasising the need for a good level of cleanliness due to the use by Toddlers and Tinies.

NK to relay the discussion at PCC to Linda Holden and prepare a checklist along with the rota to ensure a good level of cleaning going forward.

AO/NK

13.0

13.1

Magazine Printing

YA reported that she had been approached by several printers who were interested in taking on the Village Magazine.  One printer, Imprint, had come back with a favourable quote approximately £1k cheaper per year.  DO noted the current printers bundle the magazines into rounds with the name of the volunteer delivering on them and asked for Imprint to adjust their quote accordingly.  JS suggested if the quote was still favourable, we should ask the existing printers, Ayr Press, if they could review their prices accordingly.

YA

14.0

14.1

Any Other Business

YA was asked to prepare a letter of thanks to John Peake for his contribution to the PCC.

YA

15.0

15.1

Date of the Next PCC Meeting

Thursday, 13^th November at 7.30pm, St Thomas’ Church..

ALL

The Grace