Jane Gray, our HR Advisor and Project Assistant, presented various policies for review and approval, as recommended by the Standing Committee. The PCC approved the Lone Working Policy, the Anti-bribery policy, the Flexible Working Policy, the Whole Site Policy, the Exclusions Policy and the Prosecutions Policy. The Rector also presented a draft policy on the Removal of Human Remains, which the PCC also approved.
Ryan Tyler, our Estates Manager, reported on plans to complete the roll-out of new energy efficient LED lighting to the market traders and to replace external floodlighting with LED lighting. He also reported on various aspects of preventative maintenance and deep cleaning of the Church. The PCC discussed with the Estates Manager the management of the impact of the forthcoming improvement works to be undertaken by the Crown Estate on Jermyn Street.
Chris Davies, our Head Verger reported on the ongoing effective working of the verger team. He also advised that all vergers had now completed online safeguarding training. The PCC noted that members of the Standing Committee had also completed the training and that it was now a legal requirement for all PCC members to do so. It was agreed that the training would be completed during the next month.
The PCC discussed the ongoing difficulties arising from the anti-social activities of one group of people on the SJP site and surrounding areas. A report was received on a meeting that had taken place with Westminster Council and the Metropolitan Police and a strategy was agreed on how to tackle this issue.
The PCC discussed 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 agreed to take forward participation in the scheme, with the ambition of achieving Gold status. The PCC also agreed, however, that whilst this provided a framework for St James’s approach to sustainability, it needed to be viewed in the context of an overall programme of activity that would require a significant effort and commitment from the St James’s community. The PCC agreed to set up a working group to take this forward, to be chaired by Deborah Colvin, our Sustainability Champion.
The PCC considered a revised draft of the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan. This had been revised by the working group set up by the PCC, taking into consideration feedback from the community consultation meeting on 14th February. Subject to minor amendment, the PCC approved the Strategic Plan 2016-19, which will be presented at the forthcoming Annual Parochial Church Meeting (‘APCM’).
The PCC received and noted the minutes of the Wren Project Steering Group (set up to look at the redevelopment of the St James’s site) meeting of 25th February 2016. An update was provided on an encouraging initial meeting with the Chair of Westminster Council’s Planning Committee, accompanied by two officers from the Planning Department. Consultation meetings are now to be arranged with Historic England and the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). Ptolemy Dean, our architect, will be commissioned to draw up more detailed plans. The PCC emphasized the importance of ethical and sustainability considerations being an integral part of the planning.
The PCC considered a report on the outcome of a recent needs analysis in relation St James’s database requirements, which also highlighted other issues for review, including IT support arrangements and IT training for staff. The PCC agreed the approach to taking these matters forward.
The PCC discussed proposals to meet the new statutory requirement for auto enrolment of staff into a workplace pension scheme with effect from 1st July 2016. The PCC agreed a recommendation to select the NEST Ethical Fund as the scheme to be used, and also to provide an opportunity for staff to benefit from advice from an independent financial adviser. The PCC also discussed the level of employer contribution to the scheme and agreed to look further at the budget implications of this at its next meeting.
The PCC agreed proposals to take forward a project to display photos of members of the SJP community in the Church.
A resolution to recommend to the APCM the re-appointment as Mazars as auditors for the year ending 31st December 2016 was approved by the PCC.
Arrangements for the forthcoming APCM and election of new PCC members were discussed and agreed.
The PCC received for information and noted:
Ryan Tyler, our Estates Manager, reported on plans to complete the roll-out of new energy efficient LED lighting to the market traders and to replace external floodlighting with LED lighting. He also reported on various aspects of preventative maintenance and deep cleaning of the Church. The PCC discussed with the Estates Manager the management of the impact of the forthcoming improvement works to be undertaken by the Crown Estate on Jermyn Street.
Chris Davies, our Head Verger reported on the ongoing effective working of the verger team. He also advised that all vergers had now completed online safeguarding training. The PCC noted that members of the Standing Committee had also completed the training and that it was now a legal requirement for all PCC members to do so. It was agreed that the training would be completed during the next month.
The PCC discussed the ongoing difficulties arising from the anti-social activities of one group of people on the SJP site and surrounding areas. A report was received on a meeting that had taken place with Westminster Council and the Metropolitan Police and a strategy was agreed on how to tackle this issue.
The PCC discussed 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 agreed to take forward participation in the scheme, with the ambition of achieving Gold status. The PCC also agreed, however, that whilst this provided a framework for St James’s approach to sustainability, it needed to be viewed in the context of an overall programme of activity that would require a significant effort and commitment from the St James’s community. The PCC agreed to set up a working group to take this forward, to be chaired by Deborah Colvin, our Sustainability Champion.
The PCC considered a revised draft of the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan. This had been revised by the working group set up by the PCC, taking into consideration feedback from the community consultation meeting on 14th February. Subject to minor amendment, the PCC approved the Strategic Plan 2016-19, which will be presented at the forthcoming Annual Parochial Church Meeting (‘APCM’).
The PCC received and noted the minutes of the Wren Project Steering Group (set up to look at the redevelopment of the St James’s site) meeting of 25th February 2016. An update was provided on an encouraging initial meeting with the Chair of Westminster Council’s Planning Committee, accompanied by two officers from the Planning Department. Consultation meetings are now to be arranged with Historic England and the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). Ptolemy Dean, our architect, will be commissioned to draw up more detailed plans. The PCC emphasized the importance of ethical and sustainability considerations being an integral part of the planning.
The PCC considered a report on the outcome of a recent needs analysis in relation St James’s database requirements, which also highlighted other issues for review, including IT support arrangements and IT training for staff. The PCC agreed the approach to taking these matters forward.
The PCC discussed proposals to meet the new statutory requirement for auto enrolment of staff into a workplace pension scheme with effect from 1st July 2016. The PCC agreed a recommendation to select the NEST Ethical Fund as the scheme to be used, and also to provide an opportunity for staff to benefit from advice from an independent financial adviser. The PCC also discussed the level of employer contribution to the scheme and agreed to look further at the budget implications of this at its next meeting.
The PCC agreed proposals to take forward a project to display photos of members of the SJP community in the Church.
A resolution to recommend to the APCM the re-appointment as Mazars as auditors for the year ending 31st December 2016 was approved by the PCC.
Arrangements for the forthcoming APCM and election of new PCC members were discussed and agreed.
The PCC received for information and noted:
- A report from Leah Hoskin in relation to her liaison role with the LGBT Group.
- An interim report on the Winter Shelter 2015-16.
- A report on plans for St James’s participation in London Craft week during May 2016.
- The minutes of the Health & Safety Committee meeting of 3rd March 2016
- The minutes of the Staff meetings of 20th January 2016 and 3rd February 2016
- The minutes of the Liturgy Group meeting of 27th January 2016
- A report on the combined Deanery Synod meeting of 15th February 2016
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