Ashampstead

Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parochial Church Meeting

held on Tuesday, 8th June 2021 in Ashampstead Village Hall at 7.00pm

 

Present: Revd Grant Fensome (Vicar GF); Revd Katy Weston (Curate KW);

Mrs Caroline Butler (Churchwarden CB); Mrs Sally Hardaker (Churchwarden SH); Mr Keith Whiteman (Hon Treasurer KRW); Mrs Jenny Fisken (Hon Secretary JF); Mr James Bartlett (JB); Mr Garry Stewart (GS); Mr Rodney Bailey (RB).

Apologies: Mr David Mountain

 

The meeting opened with prayer for guidance in our deliberations.

 

Annual Meeting of Parishioners and Election of Churchwardens.

 

Election of Churchwardens:
The main business of the Annual Parish Meeting was to elect the Churchwardens for the year 2021-2022.

Mrs Caroline Butler and Mrs Sally Hardaker were asked if they were willing to continue their very valuable contribution and were happy to do so.

Mrs Caroline Butler was proposed by Mr Rodney Bailey and seconded by Revd Katy Weston and elected unanimously.

Mrs Sally Hardaker was proposed by Revd Katy Weston and seconded by Mr Garry Stewart and also elected unanimously.

The meeting then proceeded to:

 

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting

 

1.  Those present and apologies were as above.

 

2)  Approval of Minutes of last APCM held on 6th August 2020:

The minutes were approved and signed as a true record of the meeting

 

3)  Matters Arising:

There were no substantive matters arising from the last year's minutes

 

4)  Elections to PCC and Officers:

Deanery Synod:

Mr David Mountain has declared his wish to stand down as both Deanery Synod Rep and from the PCC. The Council, and especially the Churchwardens, expressed their gratitude to DM for his tireless work on the  problems with damp, vermin and other issues and particularly the work preparing for the French Drain needed to protect the walls from further damp. The Council expressed their agreement and thanks wholeheartedly. There were no applicants for the post of Deanery Synod Rep, but Revd Grant has agreed to give reports as needed as he will be attending as a representative of the Clergy.

Hon Treasurer:

Thanks were expressed by the meeting for the work of Mr Keith Whiteman for his meticulous attention to keeping the books straight. He indicated his willingness to continue and was elected unanimously.

Hon Secretary:

JF was willing to continue as Secretary and the meeting confirmed this appointment as well as the new responsibility of Safeguarding Officer.

Members of the PCC:

All current members of the PCC, with the exception of DM, have indicated their willingness to continue and were all re-elected . Because of the increase in our numbers on the Electoral Roll and because of DM's resignation there are now three possible vacancies on the PCC. Current members are to discuss with any possibly interested people known to them if they would be willing to join the Council.

 

5)  Annual Benefice Report: (circulated by KW and comment by GF)

The report detailed the ways in which the Church had managed to keep a worshipping presence in the villages during the difficulties of the Pandemic and KW expressed her thanks to all the PCC members and particularly the Churchwardens for the various innovative ways in which we have responded.

The report was received and KW thanked for all her hard work in keeping the Church 'alive' . GF commented on his introduction to the Benefice and the difficulties and opportunities it afforded.

 

6)  Finance Report:  (circulated, signed and audited)

KRW presented the finance report for the year duly signed by our external auditor Mrs Sarah Sivyer. KRW had been instrumental in proving that, as a Charity, the Church does not have to pay Capital Gains Tax when selling investments.

The report was received.

 

7)  Appointment of Independent Examiner of Finances:

Mrs Sara Sivyer is happy to undertake this task again for this year.

 

8)  Churchwardens' Report:

This was received and many thanks were due to the CB and SH for their hard work in risk assessments, sanitising, quarantining, etc. to allow services to resume as soon as permitted.

There was a lengthy discussion on fund raising both here and in the following PCC meeting where the feelings of the meeting are reported.

 

9)  Report on the Electoral Roll:

Mrs C Henderson has reviewed the electoral roll figures and three new people have joined bringing the total to fifty five. There was a discussion as to the effect this might have on the calculation of the Parish Share, but there is no direct relation as there are many other factors taken into account.

There was some suggestion that Mrs Henderson might wish to step down from this role and JF agreed to find out if this is the case.

 

10)  Deanery Synod Report: (circulated)

One matter of debate was the possible continuation of live streaming and on-line services even after the pandemic emergency. There was some thought that this would broaden the number of people who could participate and further discussion will take place over the next few months.

 

11)  Confirmation of Sides Men and Women:

It was agreed to continue with the present arrangement that all members of the PCC who are happy and able to undertake this role should do so, plus DM who has expressed his willingness to be included.

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12)  Fund Raising Update:

It was felt by the meeting that fund raising was better discussed in the PCC meeting.

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13)  Any Other Business:

No items were brought forward for discussion in this meeting.

 

The APCM closed at 7.35pm.