ECO Group

ECO group reported on hosting the Deanery’s ‘Net Zero Policy’ meeting and will look to see if any funding is available to help us fund small scale improvements. The Eco church team had been busy organising a further litter pick around the parish boundary; following the felling of the trees in the vicarage garden, they have salvaged them for future use; a toy and book swap was being carried out in conjunction with Little Parakeets play group. The church’s facebook page was regularly visited and membership was increasing. A meeting will be arranged after Christmas to begin to look into the installation of solar panels. The Treasurer confirmed that if it were not possible to install solar panels, we would have to approach the Gallagher estate for an answer.

Finance

The Treasurer’s report confirmed we’re spending more per month than receiving and that we’re having to rely on reserves. This is not sustainable going forward. Our biggest expenditure during the winter months is heating and we might have to consider turning the temperature down a couple of degrees to help.

The Common Fund - the diocese are asking for more this coming year. After much discussion it was agreed that our contribution for 2026 will be £40,000.

The legacies we have received from the late Doug Gallagher and Jean Lines are restricted. The Gallagher bequest is for solar panels and a sub-committee will be formed to investigate this and report back to PCC. The Lines legacy is for youth work. The other legacies are unrestricted and it was proposed that £10,000 be kept in the current account and £10,000 be transferred to the Investment fund. This was unanimously approved by PCC.

Safeguarding

PCC were asked to consider a request from Bishop Michael inviting PCC members and volunteers to complete a short, Parish Safeguarding Survey to help give a snapshot to the independently chaired Diocesan Safeguarding Panel of safeguarding culture across the Birmingham Diocese and to help inform future priorities and strengthen the Diocese’s ongoing work to improve safeguarding practice and governance. There was confirmation that the Diocesan safeguarding website will be refreshed over the coming month. And confirmation that our information on the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard is currently 100% complete.

Scout Hut

Companies contacted re. an asbestos inspection and report have requested plans for the hut before they confirm a site visit. Church wardens are looking for the plans.

Maintenance

The tower – quotes being received and to be reviewed by Churchwardens. Trees - these have now been removed and the garden tidied. The post box damaged during this work will be replaced by Westside the company who carried out the work. Westside have also quoted £200 to remove the saplings adjoining the neighbouring garden to stop any further damage to their fence.

Suggestion Box

A letter has been received regarding the Remembrance Sunday Service not including the singing of the National Anthem. This was discussed by PCC and Jenni confirmed that in the Anglican canons final responsibility and decision making in the content of worship lies with the incumbent, not the PCC (details of this can be found under Canon B2). Jenni will reply personally to this.

AOB

We have received an offer of a fence post to replace the one missing in the car park, to prevent unauthorised access to the grass areas by cars and vans. Due to time constraints, a question re. the church hall had to be forwarded to a future PCC meeting.

Raising Items with PCC

If any member of the congregation, including PCC members, want to raise an issue or concern with the PCC they can do this in two ways;

Firstly by emailing or writing to the chair (Jenni) and/or the PCC Secretary (Liz Farrier) at least a week before the PCC meeting.

Secondly, by putting something in the suggestion box in the church porch. This can be done anonymously. Suggestions will be collected a week before the meeting and added to the agenda.