S GEORGE’S PARISH CHURCH
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
18th MAY 2025
REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL.
1.1 Since our last APM, the PCC has met on seven occasions, plus two Special meetings. At each meeting as routine items of business the Council has considered reports from the Church’s Committees and Groups, which have occurred since the last Council meeting. In addition, reports were received from representatives of Diocesan and Deanery Synods of what has occurred at meetings of the respective synods.
1.2 As everyone is aware Fr Adrian retired as from the 30th June last. In July we reviewed the Resolution under the House of Bishops “Declaration”. After careful consideration of all the points made to us we came to the conclusion that following the tradition of our Church for over a 100 years and the passing of the Resolution in 2016 and the passing of Resolutions of A and B in 2007 it was decided unanimously to reaffirm the previous decision made in 2016 to maintain the unity of the Parish. Following this in September we met with the Arch Deacon and the Area Dean to discuss the steps forward to fill the Vacancy for a new Vicar. There followed two special meeting of the Council to consider the preparation of a Statement describing the conditions, needs and tradition of the Parish and the “Parish Profile” (known as Section 11 meetings). Accordingly the above draft documents were approved and submitted to the Bishops for consideration. We wait to hear from them regarding a further meeting (known as a section 12 meeting) before the Vacancy can be advertised.
1.3 The Council’s Annual Meeting was held on the 8th May last, with the usual items of business, namely, the election of officers for the year, ie. Andrew Pinkett as Hon. Treasurer and myself as Hon. Secretary. Mr Michael Nicholson was elected as Lay Vice Chairman. The meeting also considered the terms of office of the Lay Members of the Council and the appointment of Committees and Groups.
1.4 This has been a further busy period for the Council considering the present circumstances and ensuring the appropriate Risk Assessments have been carried out and measures taken to ensure the Church and any activities allowed have been secure as far Health and Safety and Safeguarding Regulations are concerned. The meetings have been well attended. As indicated above, reports have been received at each meeting from the various committees and Groups. The Fabric Committee have kept Council updated on the progress of work being undertaken and details of the repairs, which have been completed throughout the period. The Council
considered a revised tender that had been received from our Architect, John Barnes for the West End and agreed to accept a tender in the sum of £191,000 plus VAT, this included stone and glazing work for the West End project to which would be added Architect’s fees of 10%. The work of applying for grants towards the cost of the work is proceeding, with the help of Mark Brunton, with approximately £20,000 granted from various sources so far. However, having regard to the Architect’s Quinquennial Report and the work arising from this, the Council have decided in order to make the Church building more sustainable for the next, say 20 years or so, to apply for National Lottery Heritage Funding for the West End project together with the works required arising from the Quinquennial Report. This is all with the help of the Architect and a firm of consultants, Dig Ventures who specialise in this type of bidding. Also it is hoped to include in the bid an upgrading or rebuild of the Church Hall in line with the need to show links with the Local Community as required as part of the bid. Arising from this, and because of other concerns raised regarding the condition of the hall building the Architect has done a survey and while certain minor repairs are needed, the Hall is safe but is nearing the end of its useful life, being good for another few years.
In addition, some repairs to the rainwater goods has been done and a quotation sort for some additional work. Repairs have also been done to some windows following storm damage. Minor repairs including ‘lighting’ and other electrical repairs have been undertaken in the Hall together with storm damage to the roof. (Details of all this work are referred to in the Church Wardens Report.)
1.5 During this period, some social events have been organised, Harvest Supper, Christmas and Easter Fairs and have been well supported and enjoyed by all. We look forward to this year when we are again to have such events as concerts, recitals etc. The Friends of St George’s have also managed to hold their some events ie, Heritage Weeks in September last and secure some funding from donations and subscriptions and sale of refreshments etc, at concerts.
1.6. There have been some items of correspondence received, which. have been considered and decisions made on how to take them forward.
1.7. With regard to Finance, the Council has recognised we continue to have difficulties due to the current economic situation. Thus, we have kept a close eye with the help of the Hon Treasurer between the levels of the working balances this year and last. The Council has reviewed all our charges and fees and made some increases in local charges. As far as the Parish Share is concerned we met our pledge to the Diocese of £48000 in 2024. We had originally pledged to pay £30,000 Parish Share this year. However, HMRC have not paid us Gift Aid for 2023 yet, despite several enquiries, and this poses a question mark for 2024. On top of this utility bills have been high and over budget together with church maintenance, thus we have reduced the amount paid each
month, but we will review the situation later in the year and hopefully “top up” our Parish Share. (See the Treasurers Report)
1.8. As previously reported the Council has adopted the latest Diocesan Model Safeguarding Policy and this has been updated and the Council has approved statements on various aspects of the new Diocesan Safeguarding Dashboard for incorporation into our Safeguarding Action Plan, and work on this is ongoing. Arrangements have been made for appropriate members of the church who work with children and vulnerable people to be checked and registered accordingly. The Council has received regular reports from the Parish Safeguarding Officer, including the completion of Declaration forms by Members of the PCC including participation in appropriate “online” and other safeguarding training and others including those working with children, vulnerable people and others. As a result, I would state that the Council has complied with its duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). (Further information is in the Parish safeguarding Officer’s Report)
1.9. Tim Hone our Director of Music has been settling in with us and thus the choir has sung at the 9.30 service on Sundays or other special midweek services. Arrangements have been made for to recruit new members to the Choir and to restart the “Choir Club”. We look forward to other expanded activities as the year progresses.
2. Three members of the Council are to stand down this year, namely, Mrs Rosemary Kinghorn, Mrs Ann Lilley and Mr Michael Nicholson, also Mr Nathan Batten has resigned for family reasons and Mr Paul Corrigan no longer attends this Church. I would like to thank them on behalf of the PCC for their services to the Council and the Church.
2.1. During this Interregnum our normal services along with other activities, ie, weddings, funerals, baptisms, Lent Course have continued, due to help from Margaret our Reader, Helen Brunton, Ann Lilley Vivienne Barke, Gordon Wightman and the Servers, Flower Arrangers and others. In particular, I must thank our Retired Clergy for their contribution to keeping our services going. I must thank everyone who has helped to keep everything going as normal.
I would also like to express my thanks to everyone for their support.
B McNally.
Honorary Secretary. May 2025