PARISH of CHILWORTH
St. Martha-on-the-Hill
with
St. Thomas’
REDACTED Minutes of Chilworth PCC Meeting held on 26th March 2026
At 7.30 pm
St Thomas’ Church Room
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1.0
1.1
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Attendance
The Reverend David Oakden (DO), Chair, The Reverend Tim Heaney (TH), John Slater (JS) – Treasurer, Alison Oakden (AO) - Food Bank Co-ordinator, Richard Melhuish (RM), Roger Buckley (RB), Ben Thorn (BT), Arthur Webb (AW). Margaret Roberts (MR) – part.
Janis Stanhope (JCS) – via telephone.
Apologies Nina Kingshott - Safeguarding Officer (NK), Helen Corbett (HC) – Churchwarden,
Minutes were taken by Yvonne Alfert (YA), Parish Administrator.
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Opening Prayer |
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2.0
2.1
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Minutes of PCC Meeting held on 29th January 2026
Agreed by PCC.
Matters Arising: The redacted minutes would now be published on the website.
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YA
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3.0
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
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Finance - Treasurer Report
Papers had been distributed prior to the meeting. JS reported that the accounts looked satisfactory but stressed it was only two months into the year.
JS confirmed the figures were ready for the Annual Report and the deadline for other reports was now 30th April (See 19.2 below) in order for it to be signed off before the APCM.
JC confirmed that the whole of the organist’s salary was to be taken from the Benefactor’s fund apart for services such as weddings and funerals.
JS asked PCC if it wished to invest in a mobile hotspot at St Martha’s. This would entail an initial cost for the kit and then a monthly subscription. This technology would allow the card readers to identify gift-aid donations at the church. PCC agreed more information was required before a decision could be made and JS, JC and HC would investigate further. |
ALL
JS/JC/HC
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4.0
4.1
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.1.3
4.1.4.
4.2.0
4.2.1
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Churchwardens’ Fabric Report –HC was not present but had submitted the report in advance.
St Martha’s
There was a fly infestation (possibly clusterflies) at St Martha’s, especially affecting the chapel, all windowsills and the kitchen,, and an infestation of ladybirds around the doorways. Pest control companies had been contacted for quotes but the actual species of fly was yet to be identified which would determine the appropriate treatment. AW asked if there was a guarantee the treatment would work. TH suggested that the PCC should agree to go ahead in principle once the type of fly had been ascertained. BT also asked about the practicality of maintaining the prevention equipment which was to be installed, especially in the tower. JC agreed to report back by email once all the information was available.
South Path Soakaway – RM reported that a site meeting with experts was to be held on 31st March and once the information was available a new system could be designed. This needed to be done this summer.
The lightning conductor test only just passed. To ensure that we are covered in the event of a strike and damage or injury HC asked for the insurance policy needed to be checked. HC had circulated the Quinquennial Report prior to the meeting. It was noted that there was nothing urgent or major.
St Thomas’
HC reported that there were major variations on the quotes to mend the leak to the cupola therefore it was essential to get like for like quotes.
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JC
RM
HC
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5.0
5.1
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Vergers
DO reported that two applicants were being progressed. It was hoped a team could be put in place to keep St Martha’s open on Saturdays and Sundays, and possibly some weekdays too. |
DO/HC
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6.0
6.1
6.2
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Bishop Pastoral Order - Bishop Andrew
Bishop Andrew had been buried in St Martha’s Churchyard and TH suggested that the parochial fees be waived.
The Pastoral Order was on hold due to the circumstances. |
PCC
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7.0
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5 |
Benefice Review
The Benefice had now settled into the new service pattern.
The Administration Review had come back and the Clergy were to meet with the Churchwardens initially.
TH announced that there would be three joint PCC meetings a year focused on strategy, policy, vision and mission. The PCCs would hold their own individual meetings in between. The first joint meeting was to be held on 3rd June with an Away Day on 11th July.
RM suggested that ideally the buildings aspect should be steered by professionals and that there should be centralised knowledge in the Benefice. TH agreed that there should be a review of all the current information available and this should be stored centrally.
TH confirmed that a review of the services would be held after Easter.
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TH/DO/HC
PCC
TH
TH/DO |
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8.0
8.1 |
Clergy Report
This had been circulated prior to the meeting.
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9.0
9.1 |
Parish Share
JC confirmed she had circulated the information and had only received comments from the Church Warden, Helen Corbett.
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JC |
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10.0
10.1 |
Parish Needs Process
Nothing to report.
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11.0
11.1
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Safeguarding Update
There were no incidents of concern. The new vergers would need to be DBS checked.. |
NK
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12.0
12.1
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Foodbank & Tinies & Toddler Sessions
AO had circulated reports prior to the meeting.
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13.0
13.1 |
Guildford Family Centre
AO had circulated a report prior to the meeting.
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14.0
14.1 |
Deanery Synod Report
A meeting had taken place..
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15.0
15.1 |
Environment Net Zero
It was noted that environmental impact now needed to be included in Faculty Applications. MR volunteered to arrange for environmental advisors to look at the Parish. I |
MR |
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16.0
16.1 |
Chilworth Village Magazine
The Editor, Cathy Browning, had flagged up that the package she used to produce the magazine is being retired by Microsoft and if retraining on a new package was required she would be resigning. Further investigation was required.
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YA |
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17.0
17.1
17.2
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Any Other Business
AO reported that issues on the cleaning rota had been resolved.
Following on from the discussion at the last PCC, MR suggested hanging blackboard style signs with biblical quotes around the church. PCC Agreed. DO reported that a children’s trail was being devised and these could be included. |
MR
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18.0
18.1 |
Date of the Next PCC Meeting
7th May at 7.30 by zoom.
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ALL |
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19.0
19.1
19.2 |
Date of APCM
Thursday, 21st May at 7.30 pm
Date changed for all individual reports to be included in the Draft Annual Report (See 3.2 above). Now to be submitted by 20th April.
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ALL
YA/ALL |
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The Grace |
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Rev David Oakden Date