ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS
The congregation noted that Mercédès Pavlicevic, who had served on the PCC for many years, including as Treasurer, PCC Lay Chair, Churchwarden and Deputy Churchwarden, would not be seeking re-election this year. The congregation expressed its huge gratitude to Mercédès for her contribution to St James’s.
Deborah Colvin and Trevor Lines were elected as Churchwardens for 2018-2019. For both, this would be their second year as churchwardens.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING
Electoral Roll
The number on St James’s Electoral Roll was reported to have increased to 217 from 207 reported at the 2017 APCM. It was noted that a full six-year revision of the electoral roll would take place in 2019. 
 
Thanks to St James’s staff team
Thanks were expressed to all members of the St James’s staff team for their dedicated service throughout the year.
 
PCC Secretary’s Report
Graham Cooper, PCC Secretary, had submitted a written report on the activities and business discussed by the PCC during 2017-18 and Graham highlighted the focus on implementation of the 2016-19 strategic plan, the PCC’s oversight of the Wren (site redevelopment) project and the Archdeacon’s triennial visitation that had taken place in February 2018. 
 
PCC Honorary Treasurer’s Report and Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2017
David McKinley, Honorary Treasurer, presented his report, along with the Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2017, providing assurance regarding St James’s overall financial health and highlighting key trends in income and expenditure. He particularly brought the meeting’s attention to a rebate of Business Rates that had been secured following a claim by St James’s to Westminster City Council based upon St James’s charitable status. This had an impact on current and future years, but the benefit of a rebate relating to the previous six years had been added to Reserves in 2017 and would be used towards meeting future costs, particularly in relation to essential electrical infrastructure repairs. The importance of voluntary income, including planned giving by members of the congregation, and a one-off anonymous voluntary donation during the year, was highlighted and acknowledged. The meeting unanimously resolved to accept the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2017. David thanked Chris Rogers, Finance Manager, for his work throughout the year.

Re-appointment of Auditors
St James’s current auditors, Mazars, were re-appointed for the audit for the financial year ending 31st December 2018, although it was noted that it was the intention, Mazars having undertaken this role for the past five years, for a re-tender for future audit work to be completed during the current year, under the oversight of the Audit Committee.
 
Churchwardens’ Report
A written copy of the Churchwardens’ report had been provided. The Chair thanked Deborah Colvin and Trevor Lines for their contributions and hard work throughout the year and for their report.
 
Deanery Synod Representatives Report
A report was received and Pearl Willis and Lia Shimada were thanked for their service as St James’s Deanery Synod representatives for 2017-18.

Election of new lay PCC member
Thanks were expressed to members of the PCC who had decided, for various reasons, to step down since the 2017 APCM, these being Stephen Bell, Nikki McKnight and Natasha Imison. Following the decision taken at the 2017 APCM to reduce the number of elected PCC Lay members to nine (notwithstanding the number of people on the electoral roll) with effect from the 2018 APCM, there was only one vacancy this year. One nomination had been received from Raks Patel, and Raks was appointed as Lay PCC member for a further term of office of three years. All members of the PCC stood in order to be acknowledged, and were thanked for their ongoing contribution.

Election of Deanery Synod Representative
There remained an unfilled vacancy for a Deanery Synod representative following the 2017 APCM. Shirley Dixon was nominated and appointed to this role for a period of two years until the next Deanery Synod elections in 2020, and would join Lia Shimada and Pearl Willis as St James’s Deanery Synod representatives.
 
Safeguarding Report
The meeting received written copies of the annual Safeguarding Report, provided by Jane Preest, Safeguarding Officer and Jane Gray, HR Advisor. The importance of safeguarding, and the role of the PCC in oversight of St James’s safeguarding activity were stressed. Thanks were expressed to Jane Preest and Jane Gray for their work and their report.
 
Rector’s Report
Lucy Winkett, Rector and Chair, referred the meeting to her written report, copies of which had been provided. She commended the congregation on the boldness and enthusiasm that it had brought to a vast range of worthwhile activity during the year, whilst also emphasising the importance of maintaining a space of silence at St James’s. She, and the congregation, also paid tribute to the work of Ruth Edmonds, St James’s Pastoral Assistant. The importance of the Pastoral Assistant position becoming a permanent post to support St James’s ongoing activities was noted. Additionally, the Rector reported on the Archdeacon’s triennial visitation that had taken place in February, and on the recent Quinquennial Inspection of the site undertaken by Ptolemy Dean, St James’s Inspecting Architect.

2017-18 – A year in the life of St James’s
The congregation reviewed a slide presentation on key events, activities and relationships during 2017-18 and celebrated these. The volume and breadth of activity, and the important role played by many individuals, including volunteers was highlighted, although the potential to do more, and for St James’s to reach out and to provide support and a place of safe haven for many more individuals, was also discussed. Specific actions in relation to welcoming newcomers were discussed, including an agreed action that notices on Sundays should include an invitation for newcomers to speak with nominated welcomers after the service.
 
Eco Church Update
Deborah Colvin, St James’s Sustainability Champion, provided a report on activities underpinning St James’s Eco Church initiative and steps to achieving Eco Church Gold accreditation. Members of St James’s Eco steering group were introduced and the congregation discussed ways of further developing a more eco aligned lifestyle, including opportunities for St James’s to provide support by way of resources and guidance – e.g. by providing details of, and helping to source goods from, ethical suppliers. Opportunities for other St James’s groups, including the Animal Welfare Group and Traidcraft, to further engage with the Eco group on areas of common interest were also noted.
 
Wren Project update
A brief progress report on the Wren (site redevelopment) Project was provided, including brief update on recent consultation meetings with Historic England and Westminster City Council. A meeting with the congregation to discuss progress was announced, to take place after the service on Sunday 27 May.
 
Away Giving
Fiona Notman explained the key features of the Away Giving programme, through which St James’s supports a number of charitable organisations and projects that are aligned to its own objectives, with a commitment to social justice within and beyond the UK. Forms for current year grant applications were handed out and are also available from the Rectory and from Graham Cooper, PCC Secretary (email pcc@sjp.org.uk). The deadline for submission of completed applications to the PCC Secretary is Sunday 3rd June.

Children’s Champion
Chloe Bentley was thanked for recently taking on the role of St James’s Children’s Champion, and a focus on initiatives to encourage further participation by children in worship at St James’s was noted.
 
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
A question was raised regarding St James’s readiness for new data protection laws, and it was noted that the PCC Secretary was working on plans for compliance. Additionally, St James’s had recently signed up to new church management software that would bring benefits to the organisation of regular activity and communication, and the congregation would be provided with updates on both of these matters during the next few weeks.
 
Thanks to the Clergy
The congregation expressed its thanks to the Rector and other members of the Clergy for their ongoing commitment and leadership.

Estates Manager’s Report
Ryan Tyler, our Estates Manager, presented his report. The PCC considered and approved essential repairs to the Church’s electrical infrastructure, whilst ensuring that the works proposed would fit with the longer-term church restoration and site redevelopment project. The works are planned for September 2018. The PCC also reviewed proposals for remedial works arising from the Quinquennial Inspection undertaken by Ptolemy Dean, St James’s Inspecting Architect, in October 2017, particularly work required on the church tower and spire. These works would be completed as part of ongoing repairs and maintenance work.
 
Children’s Champion update
The PCC welcomed Chloe Bentley, St James’s Children’s Champion, and discussed plans for attracting and encouraging children to participate in Sunday worship at St James’s.
 
Faculty Resolutions
The PCC approved resolutions to apply to the Chancellor of the Diocese for Faculties relating to the installation of scaffolding in the Southwood Garden to enable St James’s neighbours to complete essential works to their buildings, and also an application for a Faculty in relation to future art installations.
 
Report & Accounts for the twelve months to 31st December 2017
David McKinley, Honorary Treasurer, presented the Report & Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2017. The PCC noted that these showed a satisfactory outcome for the year, in line with the management accounts that already been received and reviewed. Additionally, David reported on success in securing a rebate on previous and future business rates payable to Westminster City Council. The rebate relating to previous years would be added to reserves. The PCC noted that the Report & Accounts had also been scrutinised by the Audit Committee. The PCC approved the Report & Accounts, which would go forward to presentation to the congregation at the APCM on 8th April.
 
Appointment of Auditors
The PCC discussed the re-appointment of Mazars, St James’s current auditors, for the current financial year to 31st December 2018 and agreed to recommend their re-appointment to the APCM on 8th April, whilst noting plans, under oversight of the Audit Committee, to undertake a full re-tendering for the audit service later in the year.
 
Policies
As part of its continuing work in ensuring that St James’s has a robust policy framework for its various activities, the PCC considered and approved a Befriending Policy and a Referencing Policy.
 
‘Suspended’ Review
The PCC undertook a review of the ‘Suspended’ art installation that took place in the Church over the 2017 Christmas period, aimed at raising awareness of the ongoing refugee crisis. The installation, supported by a series of events, had created a significant impact, attracting thousands of visitors. The PCC noted that this had been a very significant and enormously worthwhile and successful project, rooted in St James’s values. The installation had been financed by various voluntary and Trust donations, enabling funds raised in excess of £10,000 to be donated to the Starfish Foundation.
 
Wren Project
The PCC received an update on the Wren Project, noting that a pre-planning consultation meeting had taken place with Historic England, and that plans were in place for further consultations with the Diocesan Advisory Committee and the Amenity Societies.
 
Other matters
The PCC received for information and discussed/noted:

• A report from Deborah Colvin on St James’s participation in Churches Together in Westminster, including plans to host an installation of artwork by prisoners in the Church over Easter
• A report from Carolyn Davies regarding her liaison role with the Julian Group
• Plans for the 2018 APCM
• A business schedule plan for PCC meetings for 2018-19
• The minutes of the Health & Safety Committee meetings of 11th January 2018 and 15th February 2018
• The minutes of staff meetings of 6th December 2017 and 7th February 2018

Market Manager’s Report
Costas Benopoulos-Jones, our Market Manager, presented his report. The PCC discussed challenges that the market had faced during 2017, which included the change of the Tuesday market from antiques to food, the increase in Business Rates and general financial challenges. Notwithstanding these, the market had had a successful year, contributing to the daily life around the site and making a significant financial contribution towards St James’s running costs. Looking ahead, the PCC discussed initiatives to further improve upon the success of the market during 2018, and noted that external strategic advice was being obtained to assist in forward planning.
 
Head Verger’s Report
Chris Davies, our Head Verger, presented his report. The PCC discussed ongoing challenges involved in the management of homeless guests in the Church, noting with concern a general increase in the number of instances of anti-social behaviour. Operational practices for the oversight of this activity and on-site security were to be reviewed by the management and staff team. The PCC stressed concern for the continued wellbeing and safeguarding of staff and made a number of suggestions for consideration.
 
International Group Breakfast
The PCC welcomed Brian Curnew (International Group Breakfast leader) and Ruth Edmonds (Pastoral Assistant), who provided a report on the IGB. The PCC reviewed attendance data and commended the regular positive support that the IGB provides for refugees, as part of St James’s wider strategy for refuges support. Practical limitations and challenges associated with the further strengthening and future growth of this provision were also discussed, with a strong focus on maintaining the safe space that the IGB provides for its guests.
 
Management Accounts
The PCC perused the management accounts for the twelve months to 31st December 2017, noting the reasons for variances to budget in relation to individual items and the overall satisfactory outcome for the year. No material adjustments were anticipated, and the final Report & Accounts for the year would be presented to the next PCC meeting for approval prior to going forward for presentation to the APCM. The PCC noted that a more favourable positive outcome than forecast had been achieved, due to some unexpected items, but also that the surplus would need to be used towards the cost of essential maintenance and repairs including those highlighted in the recent Quinquennial Inspection of the site. In anticipation of this, the PCC agreed that the final surplus should be allocated for the time being to the appropriate reserves to meet these costs.
 
Away Giving Policy and Guidelines
The PCC approved an updated policy and set of guidelines for St James’s Away Giving programme for 2018, through which St James’s supports a number of organisations and projects, nominated by members of the congregation following the APCM, that are aligned to St James’s own objectives, with a strong commitment to social justice within and beyond the UK.
 
Biblical Literacy and Camino Programme updates
The PCC received updates on these two important aspects of St James’s Strategic Plan, commending both programmes and noting in particular the detailed content of the Camino programme that was provided.
 
Archdeacon visitation Monday 5th February 2018
The PCC discussed plans and preparations for the forthcoming triennial visitation, to be carried out by Father Paul Thomas, Area Dean of Paddington and Acting Archdeacon for the Two Cities.
 
BBC Radio 4 Daily Service 90th Anniversary broadcasts
The PCC discussed plans for participation by St James’s in the forthcoming series of broadcasts, which would include opportunities for members of the St James’s congregation to participate through reading a prayer, readings, singing hymns and playing music.
 
Communion Assistants
The PCC noted a review of members of the St James’s congregation licenced to serve as Communion Assistants and approved an application to the Bishop for new licence certificates.
 
Other matters
The PCC received for information and discussed/noted:

• A report from Lia Shimada on her PCC liaison role with Alternatives
• Plans for the 2018 APCM
• The minutes of the Health & Safety Committee meeting of 23rd November 2017
• The minutes of the Liturgy Group meeting of 29th November 2017
• The minutes of the Audit Committee meeting of 27th November 2017.