Annual Report and Review of Activities 2006
Our Annual Report for 2006 is available here »
Our Review of Activities for 2006 is available here »
Our Annual Accounts for 2006 can be viewed here »
PCC Meeting 16 July 2007
The Common Fund and Diocesan Finances
The Archdeacon visited the PCC and introduced the Annual Report to the Parishes 2006. It showed in easy-to-read terms why PCCs should pay into the Fund; what it costs to keep a priest and where other monies go. He spoke of the increasing needs for parish funding and the need for higher pension contributions - as Clergy are long lived! He noted that clergy do not get paid well and that a greater pay award had not been possible, which was regrettable.
An overall Fund increase of some 8.5% was being sought by the diocese. He was asked whether the large increase demanded would fall back in future years; it was felt that above inflation increases would be necessary for some time. The PCC agreed that, though hard in current circumstances, St Martin's should commit to the increased Common Fund contribution.
Visual Identity
The latest stage in the development of a refreshed Visual Identity. Some members liked the changes while others thought that more work was required. In such a subjective area, it was acknowledged that consensus would be hard to achieve. It was noted that a decision would be needed by the end of the year in order to produce signage for the new areas; sooner would be better. Further development work will be undertaken.
Report on Building Project
A Churchwarden reported that this is week 80 of the project. The Trafalgar Square advertising site was to be taken down in September whilst the Charing Cross site would begin its display from August. A pledge of $500,000 had been received and it would be used as a vehicle for matched funding. The shortfall now stood at £3.8 million and many other irons are in the fire to close this gap. The first drawdown of the loan from Allied Irish Bank would be necessary in September in order to maintain the cashflow. Members noted the first of the Small Gifts Appeals, which would be to donors to the Christmas Appeal.
Other Business
The PCC agreed a smoking policy which will apply following the return to the St Martin's site as a result of changes in legislation. It was agreed that the whole of church property, including the churchyard, should be no smoking. A description for the deputy Churchwarden's duties was agreed, although it was noted that this role had no legal standing. James Johnston was unanimously elected to replace Michael Angus, who had stood down as a result of his move to South Africa.
The PCC approved two Faculty Applications - the first for an aumbry and sanctuary lamp; the second for the text of a poem by the Poet Laureate and design of its lettering to go around the light-well handrail in Church Path. A new pattern of services to follow the reopening was reviewed.
Discussions on PCC committee structures were now complete and it was agreed that PCC committees should join the PCC for the September, February and June meetings for sessions with a particular focus. The PCC reviewed a paper outlining opportunities that might be offered to and by St Martin's as a result of the Lambeth Conference. It would be discussed in full with the PCC committees at the September meeting.
PCC Meeting 18 June 2007
Reopening Festival Plans
The Vicar introduced his strategy document outlining the principles for the reopening festival. The PCC agreed that they were the right ones. He expanded on the timetable by noting that the first Sunday Eucharist upon return at the end of September would be one shared by both English and Chinese speaking congregations. For the main Thanksgiving Service on Monday 28th April it is clear that we could fill the church several times and so it was inevitable that only a part of the congregation could attend. Options for broadcast services were discussed as well as involvement in the Festival from the Ho Ming Wah and The Connection. It was noted that a special group had been set up to plan the Festival and also that sponsorship was being actively sought.
PCC Committee Structures
A paper on PCC committee structures, responsibilities and liaison with regular PCC meetings was discussed. There was a specific proposal to form a new committee from the current Worship and Spirituality and Music Committees. The paper before the PCC had been born out of much consultation with all interested parties. He asked that both PCC and committee members give the proposals weighty consideration and feed back any suggestions or concerns to the PCC Planning Group. It was clear that some practical details needed to be ironed out. It was noted that the PCC lay representation on the three committees would need to be balanced out. The PCC adopted the paper unanimously, which would be sent to the PCC Committees for a further round of feedback with the aim to ratify the final proposals at the July PCC meeting.
Visual Identity
The CEO gave a verbal report on progress made over the development of a new visual identity. The solution would need to serve the Parish on all kinds of merchandising, literature and images for the foreseeable future and as the public face of St Martin's, it was enormously important to get it right. Nothing had been finalised but it was hoped that a final design could be put to the July PCC meeting. Members acknowledged the significance of the task and looked forward to seeing the progress.
WCC Grant Drawdown
The PCC discussed the outline of an agreement that WCC required before the draw down of £1.595 million for work to The Connection buildings could take place. This would need acceptance by the PCC of a five year legal charge, or mortgage, with commitments from the PCC over the use of the buildings. These commitments were broadly acceptable but would need some further fine tuning. It was agreed that a subgroup of the PCC be empowered to agree the fine detail as the PCC were content with the principle.
Other Business
The PCC agreed to a change in the procedures prior to APCM elections so that biographies together with small photographs of the candidates will be published in advance of the annual meeting.
Use of the new Parish spaces was discussed and the Associate Vicar noted that an agreement was being developed to address the needs of the church for room use as well as commercial considerations, which will be more important should there still be a shortfall on the project funding.
The PCC agreed a resolution on the transfer of the money from the Silver Fund held by the LDF to the PCC accounts.
It was noted that Jeff Claxton, as Churchwarden, would be filling the ex-officio role of member of the Connection Board that had previously been occupied by Michael Angus.
The PCC reviewed a draft Stewardship Renewal leaflet that would be used at a relaunch of the Stewardship scheme in October.
Specifics of the congregational audit were discussed and a small group formed to take the process forward.
PCC Meeting 14 May 2007
Review of Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The meeting reviewed the APCM, noting that numbers (more than 80) had been up on previous years and that was the meeting next year would be held in the new spaces in April 2008 rather than in church. The PCC asked for some clarification of the process for electing the two guaranteed places for representatives of the Chinese-speaking Congregation, which the Planning Group will follow through. Members also discussed whether it would be better to give PCC candidates a chance at the APCM to address those present. It was thought that this might give undue advantage to the natural born orators and the idea was rejected but it was agreed that the whole process should be reviewed. It was noted that the Annual Report would soon be available on the St Martin's website.
The New PCC 2007/8
The PCC discussed the PCC Terms of Reference, the PCC Induction Notes and the Ethos and Values Statement. It was noted that the latter document in particular should be revisited on a regular basis and that MAP2007-10 encourages both an active engagement and an accountability to the statement.
The draft Membership of Committees document had been circulated and this prompted a discussion about membership of committees. The broad rule is that each PCC member should be on a committee.
Election of Officers
The following PCC officers for the PCC year 2007/8 were elected unanimously.
Vice Chairs: Jeff Claxton and Andrew Caspari
Treasurer: Matthew Whalley
Deputy Churchwarden: Ekie Wong.
PCC Secretary: Chris Brooker
Electoral Roll Officer: Sibyl Allen.
The second deputy Churchwarden post was left vacant and the Planning Group were asked to document the role and responsibilities of this informal post in order to assist in filling this role.
MAP 2007-10
It was noted that the text of MAP and its substance had been unanimously agreed at the last meeting that it had been received by the whole congregation in the context both of worship and the APCM. A sub-group including Committee Chairs had been meeting to work out how best to deliver it and monitor its progress. Progress will be reported back to the PCC The sub-group were thanked for setting out on its search for the best way to deliver and monitor the plan, noting that as well as considering new ideas and structures the present committees should continue work in their existing format to deliver the business already in hand.
Following the commitment in MAP to monitoring and reporting on progress made in implementing the specific objectives, a resolution was agreed to appoint a member of each committee to be responsible for monitoring and reporting back to the PCC its work in relation to the objectives of MAP, and to feed this into a written log, maintained by the Associate Vicar.
There was a short discussion about how best to implement the "Congregational Audit" referred to in MAP with a variety of suggestions from the meeting, which the Associate Vicar agreed to follow through.
CEO's Report and Building Report
The PCC noted the CEO's report, especially that finance was very tight at the moment due to the impact of the Renewal project. Staff morale was exceptionally good and the various sites were all performing well. Members noted that the last of the regrettable redundancies had been made and that nearly all staff had found other employment or chosen to take holiday or return home.
It was reported that the renewal contract was in its 71 week with significant construction work going on especially in church. There was still £5.2 million still to raise and the project was budgeted to go cash negative in July. The Campaign team was confident that there were many prospective sources of further gifts. Permission for a second advertising site at the east end of the site had been applied for and this would provide a valuable income stream. The Roman Sarcophagus and some Saxon finds will be on display at the Museum of London following a reception on 23rd May and this was expected to have much interest. A tour of the site had been organised for members before the July PCC meeting.
