Market Manager’s Report
Costas Benopoulos-Jones, our Market Manager, reported on recent developments regarding the market, including matters relating to the annual increase in stallholder rents, ongoing measures to manage hygiene and cleanliness, and matters relating to security. Arrangements relating to the future management of the now very successful food market on Mondays and Tuesdays were also discussed.
Parish Secretary’s Report
David Hamilton-Peters, our Parish Secretary, provided a report on a range of issues including sponsorship by The Crown Estate towards the cost of the monthly diary, arrangements for its distribution, and on matters relating to the administration and smooth running of the Parish Office. Particular note was taken of ongoing issues with IT support and a review of current arrangements was planned.
Trustees’ Report & Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2016, minutes of the Audit Committee meeting of 20th May 2017 and re-appointment of Auditors
Simon Stedman, our Honorary Treasurer, provided an update, advising that the auditors had confirmed an unqualified audit opinion on the Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2016, with no amendments required to the draft Accounts meticulously prepared by Chris Rogers, St James’s Finance Manager. The PCC reviewed and approved the Trustees’ Report and Accounts, which would be presented to the St James’s congregation at the forthcoming Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). The minutes of the Audit Committee meeting of 20th May were also received and noted.
Strategic Plan monitoring
Arrangements for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of progress in relation to the implementation of St James’s Strategic Plan 2016- 2019 were discussed and would also be further explained to the St James’s congregation at the APCM.
Wren Project
The PCC received an update on progress relating to the Wren (site redevelopment) project, particularly in respect of a recent meeting with Westminster Council’s tree officer and St James’s architect, and the preservation of St James’s as a ‘green’ site, an important aspect upon which St James’s was taking expert advice from a respected landscape architect.
Children’s Champion update
Nikki McKnight, our Children’s Champion, provided an update on ongoing work to develop the provision for children at St James’s, including plans for inclusion in an ‘all age’ service planned for Pentecost (4th June).
APCM Planning
The PCC discussed arrangements for the APCM on 23rd April. Proposals to allow postal voting, and for a limitation on the number of elected Lay PCC members from 2018 onwards were also discussed and would be taken forward to the APCM for decision.
Circus Spirit update
The PCC received an update on Circus Spirit, St James’s monthly ‘Sundays at Six’ service for young people in their twenties and thirties, and on plans for extending engagement with people in this age group.
Carbon Credits
Deborah Colvin, our Sustainability Champion presented a proposal in relation to the purchase of carbon credits as a way of offsetting St James’s carbon emissions, and the proposal was approved by the PCC. Opportunities for sponsorship relating to the future replacement of the photovoltaic panels on the Church roof were also considered.
Other matters
The PCC received a report from Simon Perfect on his liaison role with the Zen Group and from Deborah Colvin on her liaison role with the Blake Society.
The PCC received a report from Simon Perfect on St James’s collaboration with JustShare in relation to events held during 2016-17.
The PCC received an update from Lindsay Meader and Deborah Colvin in their capacity as St James’s Governors of Soho Parish School.
The PCC received and noted:
Costas Benopoulos-Jones, our Market Manager, reported on recent developments regarding the market, including matters relating to the annual increase in stallholder rents, ongoing measures to manage hygiene and cleanliness, and matters relating to security. Arrangements relating to the future management of the now very successful food market on Mondays and Tuesdays were also discussed.
Parish Secretary’s Report
David Hamilton-Peters, our Parish Secretary, provided a report on a range of issues including sponsorship by The Crown Estate towards the cost of the monthly diary, arrangements for its distribution, and on matters relating to the administration and smooth running of the Parish Office. Particular note was taken of ongoing issues with IT support and a review of current arrangements was planned.
Trustees’ Report & Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2016, minutes of the Audit Committee meeting of 20th May 2017 and re-appointment of Auditors
Simon Stedman, our Honorary Treasurer, provided an update, advising that the auditors had confirmed an unqualified audit opinion on the Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2016, with no amendments required to the draft Accounts meticulously prepared by Chris Rogers, St James’s Finance Manager. The PCC reviewed and approved the Trustees’ Report and Accounts, which would be presented to the St James’s congregation at the forthcoming Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). The minutes of the Audit Committee meeting of 20th May were also received and noted.
Strategic Plan monitoring
Arrangements for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of progress in relation to the implementation of St James’s Strategic Plan 2016- 2019 were discussed and would also be further explained to the St James’s congregation at the APCM.
Wren Project
The PCC received an update on progress relating to the Wren (site redevelopment) project, particularly in respect of a recent meeting with Westminster Council’s tree officer and St James’s architect, and the preservation of St James’s as a ‘green’ site, an important aspect upon which St James’s was taking expert advice from a respected landscape architect.
Children’s Champion update
Nikki McKnight, our Children’s Champion, provided an update on ongoing work to develop the provision for children at St James’s, including plans for inclusion in an ‘all age’ service planned for Pentecost (4th June).
APCM Planning
The PCC discussed arrangements for the APCM on 23rd April. Proposals to allow postal voting, and for a limitation on the number of elected Lay PCC members from 2018 onwards were also discussed and would be taken forward to the APCM for decision.
Circus Spirit update
The PCC received an update on Circus Spirit, St James’s monthly ‘Sundays at Six’ service for young people in their twenties and thirties, and on plans for extending engagement with people in this age group.
Carbon Credits
Deborah Colvin, our Sustainability Champion presented a proposal in relation to the purchase of carbon credits as a way of offsetting St James’s carbon emissions, and the proposal was approved by the PCC. Opportunities for sponsorship relating to the future replacement of the photovoltaic panels on the Church roof were also considered.
Other matters
The PCC received a report from Simon Perfect on his liaison role with the Zen Group and from Deborah Colvin on her liaison role with the Blake Society.
The PCC received a report from Simon Perfect on St James’s collaboration with JustShare in relation to events held during 2016-17.
The PCC received an update from Lindsay Meader and Deborah Colvin in their capacity as St James’s Governors of Soho Parish School.
The PCC received and noted:
- The minutes of the Liturgy Group meeting of 15th March 2017
- The minutes of the Health & Safety Committee meeting of 16th February 2017
- The minutes of the Staff meeting of 2nd February 2017