New joint PCC Chair
Kevin Hipgrave, elected as PCC Lay Chair at the previous meeting and chairing alternate meetings with Lucy Winkett, Rector, welcomed everyone to the meeting, including Pearl Willis to her first meeting following her co-option as a member as agreed at the previous meeting.
Developing our Piccadilly site
With regard to the Wren site redevelopment project, progress was discussed and a briefing on the project to date was provided for the benefit of recently newly elected members. It was agreed that a further consultation meeting with the congregation would be arranged for the autumn, by which time it was hoped that further clarity could be brought to a number of areas.
Policies
The PCC approved a Conflict of Interests Policy for PCC members, noting this as good practice for charity trustees, and members agreed to sign declarations of interest forms and to make appropriate declarations at each meeting when any potential conflicts are likely to arise. As part of its ongoing review of policies, the PCC reviewed and approved the following draft policies: Environment Policy, Sustainability Policy, Biodiversity Policy and Procurement Policy.
Eco Church
Deborah Colvin, our Sustainability Champion, provided an update on proposals relating to Eco Church, a sustainability award scheme organised through a partnership between A Rocha UK, Christian Aid, Tearfund, the Church of England and the Methodist Church. The PCC approved St James’s joining the scheme at Bronze level and endorsed a number of actions to achieve Silver status, with an aspiration to achieve Gold in due course. The PCC agreed proposals for an Eco “Fun Palace” in the garden as part of the Harvest celebrations (Sunday 2nd October) and to try out a Forest Church style liturgy in the garden (with a fire) on the first Sunday in August to explore whether this might become a regular element of our liturgy.
Away Giving
The PCC considered Away Giving proposals that had been received and approved donations for 2016. Details will be posted on the web and reports from some of the organisations we have given to will be shared with the community.
PCC Liaison roles
The PCC discussed liaison roles, as a way of strengthening links between the PCC and organisations closely associated with St James’s [Alternatives, Blake Society, Caravan Drop-in and Counselling Service, Living Spirituality, Julian Group, LGBT Group, Vagabonds and Zen Meditation Group]. PCC members volunteered for individual liaison roles for 2016-17 and to provide feedback on their visits to these groups to PCC meetings throughout the year.
Our contribution to the Diocesan Common Fund 2017
The PCC considered and approved the level of Common Fund contribution to the Diocese for 2017. A £1k increase was requested and approved, making St James’s contribution £98k pa.
Refugees and Capital Mass
A report was received from a group from the James’s congregation who had attended the “Capital Mass” meeting organised by the Diocese concerning Refugee Response. The PCC noted and encouraged further exploration.
Other matters
The PCC received and noted the minutes of the Health & Safety Committee meeting of 19th May 2016 and 16th June 2016 and the minutes of the Staff meeting of 9th May 2016
It was reported that a recent Churches Together in Westminster (CTiW) Prisons project meeting had been well attended by members of St James’s and the PCC confirmed that it would welcome regular updates.
The PCC agreed to give consideration to joining the Toilet Twinning Scheme (see toilettwinning.org), through which a modest donation is used by Tearfund to help provide people in the poorest communities on the planet with a decent toilet, clean water and information to keep healthy.
Who is on the PCC?
Away Giving
Kevin Hipgrave, elected as PCC Lay Chair at the previous meeting and chairing alternate meetings with Lucy Winkett, Rector, welcomed everyone to the meeting, including Pearl Willis to her first meeting following her co-option as a member as agreed at the previous meeting.
Developing our Piccadilly site
With regard to the Wren site redevelopment project, progress was discussed and a briefing on the project to date was provided for the benefit of recently newly elected members. It was agreed that a further consultation meeting with the congregation would be arranged for the autumn, by which time it was hoped that further clarity could be brought to a number of areas.
Policies
The PCC approved a Conflict of Interests Policy for PCC members, noting this as good practice for charity trustees, and members agreed to sign declarations of interest forms and to make appropriate declarations at each meeting when any potential conflicts are likely to arise. As part of its ongoing review of policies, the PCC reviewed and approved the following draft policies: Environment Policy, Sustainability Policy, Biodiversity Policy and Procurement Policy.
Eco Church
Deborah Colvin, our Sustainability Champion, provided an update on proposals relating to Eco Church, a sustainability award scheme organised through a partnership between A Rocha UK, Christian Aid, Tearfund, the Church of England and the Methodist Church. The PCC approved St James’s joining the scheme at Bronze level and endorsed a number of actions to achieve Silver status, with an aspiration to achieve Gold in due course. The PCC agreed proposals for an Eco “Fun Palace” in the garden as part of the Harvest celebrations (Sunday 2nd October) and to try out a Forest Church style liturgy in the garden (with a fire) on the first Sunday in August to explore whether this might become a regular element of our liturgy.
Away Giving
The PCC considered Away Giving proposals that had been received and approved donations for 2016. Details will be posted on the web and reports from some of the organisations we have given to will be shared with the community.
PCC Liaison roles
The PCC discussed liaison roles, as a way of strengthening links between the PCC and organisations closely associated with St James’s [Alternatives, Blake Society, Caravan Drop-in and Counselling Service, Living Spirituality, Julian Group, LGBT Group, Vagabonds and Zen Meditation Group]. PCC members volunteered for individual liaison roles for 2016-17 and to provide feedback on their visits to these groups to PCC meetings throughout the year.
Our contribution to the Diocesan Common Fund 2017
The PCC considered and approved the level of Common Fund contribution to the Diocese for 2017. A £1k increase was requested and approved, making St James’s contribution £98k pa.
Refugees and Capital Mass
A report was received from a group from the James’s congregation who had attended the “Capital Mass” meeting organised by the Diocese concerning Refugee Response. The PCC noted and encouraged further exploration.
Other matters
The PCC received and noted the minutes of the Health & Safety Committee meeting of 19th May 2016 and 16th June 2016 and the minutes of the Staff meeting of 9th May 2016
It was reported that a recent Churches Together in Westminster (CTiW) Prisons project meeting had been well attended by members of St James’s and the PCC confirmed that it would welcome regular updates.
The PCC agreed to give consideration to joining the Toilet Twinning Scheme (see toilettwinning.org), through which a modest donation is used by Tearfund to help provide people in the poorest communities on the planet with a decent toilet, clean water and information to keep healthy.
Who is on the PCC?
Away Giving