Safeguarding update
The PCC received a mid-year update on Safeguarding matters from Jane Preest (Safeguarding Officer) and Jane Gray (HR Advisor and Project Assistant). The report included an update on actions, including staff and PCC member training. The PCC approved the appointment of a new Children’s Champion to replace Nikki McKNight who is stepping down from the role.
Policy Reviews
As part of its ongoing review and update of policies, the PCC approved the Safe Recruitment and Appointment Policy and the Procurement Policy, noting that both would be supported by detailed guidance and procedures for staff. The use of ethical and sustainably sourced products will continue to be core considerations in relation to procurement.
Concerts and Events Manager
David McCleery, our Concerts and Events Manager, presented his report. The PCC discussed seasonality of the concerts programme and ongoing work to grow the number of concerts, and to promote these through publicity including the use of social media. The PCC also expressed appreciation to the Concerts and Events Manager for his ongoing hard work and commitment to the role, noting that the period leading up to Christmas is expected, as usual, to be particularly busy.
Magazine
The PCC considered proposals relating to a new St James’s magazine to replace the current publication ‘197 Piccadilly’, and approved a one-off trial publication to be issued prior to Christmas. The development of a new logo to represent ST James’s, to replace the several different logos currently in use, was also discussed. It was agreed that a more in-depth review of St James’s communication strategy should take place in the new year, and that a consultation should be held in relation to the trial edition of the magazine to help inform this discussion.
Banking and Investments
The PCC received a presentation from Nick Worsnop, Assistant Treasurer, in relation to St James’s banking arrangements and investment policy. It was agreed that the Finance team should revert to the PCC in due course with a proposal for rationalisation and streamlining of day to day banking arrangements, along with a review of the current investment policy in the context of the current economic climate and growing rate of inflation. The PCC discussed the need to balance generating a reasonable level of return on investments whilst managing the level of risk and ethical considerations.
Management Accounts
The PCC perused the management accounts for the nine months to 30th September 2017, noting the reasons for variances to budget in relation to individual items and that an overall satisfactory outturn was expected for the full year.
Budget 2018
The PCC reviewed the assumptions underpinning the proposed budget for 2018, with comparative actual data for 2017. A discussion was held on the importance of the various distinct income streams – from the market, concerts and events, property rental and basement room hire, in addition to income form collections, Planned Giving and donations. A balanced budget was proposed and approved.
Fees for special services for 2018
The PCC undertook an annual review of fees and approved fees for special services for 2018.
Human Rights and Holocaust Pilgrimage
Revd Lucy Winkett provided an update on plans for the pilgrimage planned for June 2018. Twenty-seven members of the congregation have now signed up for the event, with further places available for anyone else wishing to participate. A number of evening discussions are planned in advance of the pilgrimage, and these are open to all to attend.
Eco Church Report and Shrinking the Footprint update
A report was received from Deborah Colvin, our Sustainability Champion, in relation to St James’s participation in the Church of England’s national ‘Shrinking the Footprint’ campaign and also its Eco Church accreditation application. With regard to the latter, approval of St James’s recently submitted self-assessed application for Silver Award is still awaited, although progress towards achieving Gold Award status was also discussed. Deborah also provided feedback in relation to the successful Eco Fun Place event held on Harvest Sunday.
Other matters
The PCC received for information and noted:
The PCC received a mid-year update on Safeguarding matters from Jane Preest (Safeguarding Officer) and Jane Gray (HR Advisor and Project Assistant). The report included an update on actions, including staff and PCC member training. The PCC approved the appointment of a new Children’s Champion to replace Nikki McKNight who is stepping down from the role.
Policy Reviews
As part of its ongoing review and update of policies, the PCC approved the Safe Recruitment and Appointment Policy and the Procurement Policy, noting that both would be supported by detailed guidance and procedures for staff. The use of ethical and sustainably sourced products will continue to be core considerations in relation to procurement.
Concerts and Events Manager
David McCleery, our Concerts and Events Manager, presented his report. The PCC discussed seasonality of the concerts programme and ongoing work to grow the number of concerts, and to promote these through publicity including the use of social media. The PCC also expressed appreciation to the Concerts and Events Manager for his ongoing hard work and commitment to the role, noting that the period leading up to Christmas is expected, as usual, to be particularly busy.
Magazine
The PCC considered proposals relating to a new St James’s magazine to replace the current publication ‘197 Piccadilly’, and approved a one-off trial publication to be issued prior to Christmas. The development of a new logo to represent ST James’s, to replace the several different logos currently in use, was also discussed. It was agreed that a more in-depth review of St James’s communication strategy should take place in the new year, and that a consultation should be held in relation to the trial edition of the magazine to help inform this discussion.
Banking and Investments
The PCC received a presentation from Nick Worsnop, Assistant Treasurer, in relation to St James’s banking arrangements and investment policy. It was agreed that the Finance team should revert to the PCC in due course with a proposal for rationalisation and streamlining of day to day banking arrangements, along with a review of the current investment policy in the context of the current economic climate and growing rate of inflation. The PCC discussed the need to balance generating a reasonable level of return on investments whilst managing the level of risk and ethical considerations.
Management Accounts
The PCC perused the management accounts for the nine months to 30th September 2017, noting the reasons for variances to budget in relation to individual items and that an overall satisfactory outturn was expected for the full year.
Budget 2018
The PCC reviewed the assumptions underpinning the proposed budget for 2018, with comparative actual data for 2017. A discussion was held on the importance of the various distinct income streams – from the market, concerts and events, property rental and basement room hire, in addition to income form collections, Planned Giving and donations. A balanced budget was proposed and approved.
Fees for special services for 2018
The PCC undertook an annual review of fees and approved fees for special services for 2018.
Human Rights and Holocaust Pilgrimage
Revd Lucy Winkett provided an update on plans for the pilgrimage planned for June 2018. Twenty-seven members of the congregation have now signed up for the event, with further places available for anyone else wishing to participate. A number of evening discussions are planned in advance of the pilgrimage, and these are open to all to attend.
Eco Church Report and Shrinking the Footprint update
A report was received from Deborah Colvin, our Sustainability Champion, in relation to St James’s participation in the Church of England’s national ‘Shrinking the Footprint’ campaign and also its Eco Church accreditation application. With regard to the latter, approval of St James’s recently submitted self-assessed application for Silver Award is still awaited, although progress towards achieving Gold Award status was also discussed. Deborah also provided feedback in relation to the successful Eco Fun Place event held on Harvest Sunday.
Other matters
The PCC received for information and noted:
- An analysis of Parish statistics provided by the Diocese based upon annual returns submitted and also including data on the demographics of the Parish.
- A report from Mercédès Pavlicevic and Trevor Lines on renewal of St James’s Traidcraft activities.
- A report from Adolfo Sansolini on the activities of St James’s Animal Welfare Group, including progress in relation to submission of an application for Animal Friendly Church status.
- Reports from Deborah Colvin in relation to St James’s membership of Churches Together in Westminster (CTiW) and from Raks Patel on the latest CTiW Prisons Mission Review Meeting.
- Plans for Christmas services, in particular volunteer arrangements.
- The minutes of the Health & Safety Committee meetings of 12th October 2017.
- The minutes of the Staff meetings of 6th September 2017 and 4th October 2017.
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