THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, MALDEN
Registered Charity No. 1145155

Minutes of the 723rd Meeting of the Parochial Church Council
held on Tuesday, 3rd September 2019 in the Church Extension

Present: Mike Broome (Chair), Lynn Sanger, Pauline Armour, Margaret Barrington, Milly Broome, Brian Bowers, Marilyn Burkett, Richard Burkett, Lisa Down, Deborah Harris, Sally Josolyne, Marie Maguire, and Anthony Pullen.
       In attendance: Faith Bowers (clerk).

Milly opened with prayer.  

7209	1 - Apologies for absence were received from Franklin Barrington, Jane Bransgrove, Steve Clark, Louise Hall and Liz Pullen. 

7210	 2 - Notice of Essential AOB     There was none.

7211	3 - Minutes of the June PCC Meeting were approved and signed, after adding Deborah to those who had apologised. The minutes would be published on the church noticeboard and website.   
	Mike apologised that the minutes, although ready earlier, were again sent out late.  It should be quicker in future.
		
7212	4 - Matters arising from the minutes

7205a Milly had written and taken flowers to thank Caroline for leading Praytime.

7208b Deborah expressed concern that the Organ Fund discussion had taken place without the prior knowledge of either the Treasurer or Chair of Finance Committee. In future, they should be alerted to ensure one was present when such financial matters were discussed.  Alastair should be noted for Action when he needs to make a payment decided by the PCC.  

7213	5 - Safeguarding  
	The Diocese had updated all policies and now wanted parishes to adopt these formally as their own.  There was no significant change, but the new form needed to be adopted and put on website and notice boards - Lynn would send this to Deborah.  The churchwardens should arrange regular meetings with the safeguarding officers. 
		The PCC approved adoption of the revised format.
CWs, Marie, Vanessa

7214	6 - Contactless Payments
	The group working on this had met twice.  Members had been set to look into various specific aspects.  Sally was logging the information on a spreadsheet for ease of comparison, since this was complex.  Richard had been looking at how and when to use the devices. Debra was looking at the available devices.  Jane had looked at wifi connection and concluded that it would need boosting to use one in the porch.  
	Richard said that some might prefer this on Sunday mornings but he doubted whether it would make a big difference to donations there, but it was likely to be significant at baptisms, weddings etc. Duty wardens and sides-people would need to be trained to use the chosen device.  He had talked to someone using contactless at St Mark’s and St Andrew’s for the past two years; they had noticed it was used more in the congregation with most younger people.  Prices of the devices vary widely: they could try a Low Cost Entry Mode and experiment for a year.
		Milly suggested they should talk to Harvey as Parish Buying is based at Church House.
		Pauline asked whether receipts were issued.
	The group would prepare a short written report for the the October PCC meeting.
Contactless Group
7215	7 - Reports and Recommendations from Committees
	a) Children and Young People - Milly said that Father Michael would like the children to be present for the Harvest Service.  (Harvest goods this year would go to the Food Bank to help Kingston’s work with those in need).

b) Church Hall - Brian reported that the new board was installed outside the Church Hall, and photos of the work party were in OMN. The committee was due to meet soon.
	Mike expressed particular appreciation of Brian Whayman’s efforts: as well as being one of the working group both days, he had gone back to paint the frame and clear the area, including debris just dumped there, not of their own making. 

c) Congregation Committee - Marilyn said this had not met.  She was still pursuing permission for carol singing at the station - a frustratingly slow matter since the railway outsourced such arrangements. 
	With a view to the ‘Thank you’ tea in February, she would like all those chairing committees to provide a list of their committee members and workers.  Mike said it would be useful to have a central list too.
Marilyn

d) Finance - Richard said the presentation on finance had been made at services by Alastair on 30 June, Marilyn on 7 July, and published in OMN etc.  By 4 August, there had only been 21 responses.  Several of those replying were unable to increase their giving, but the effort had raised £1576 so far.  Alastair would repeat the presentation on 8 September and Richard on 15 September.  They hoped the response would enable the church to increase its giving to the Diocese. 
	Current figures were broadly as expected, He hoped in future to provide figures that related to plans. 
	There should be a draft budget for 2020 ready for the October PCC, and a final version for November.  He was about to ask all budget-holders for their figures.
	Mike observed that the parochial school had found that persistence pays off: Andy had achieved a considerable increase over several years so it might be worth talking to him.
	Lynn said there would be some costs for the reception following Michael’s induction. The school hall had now been booked for this.  With a lengthy service beginning at 8 p.m., the reception would be quite late in the evening, but light refreshments should be served.  The PCC judged this needed to be afforded and the church’s caterers could be trusted to do this at reasonable cost.
	Mike said there was a further cost relating to the vicarage.  In addition to the routine garden maintenance, a dangerous shed had been removed and the badly overgrown path from vicarage to road opposite the church had been cleared as Father Michael would like to use it.  Both jobs were necessary and took some time, but Mike had not yet had the price.

e) Fundraising - This committee had just met.  Lynn lamented that they still had no final figure for the Maeldune Fair and no breakdown for the stalls for that or the last Christmas Fair.  Richard said he would pursue this: Tony Davis had collected from the stallholders.
Richard
	The committee felt some new equipment was needed.  They had borrowed the school’s coconut shy, but it was wearing out.  They also needed a shuffleboard.  Deborah said she had one they could borrow.  This committee only budgets for money raised and has no spending allowance.  Richard thought they should put in a request to Finance for the immediate purchase and then have some provision in future budgets.
	Marilyn asked about advertising the Christmas Fair, Christmas Day Event and Christmas services.  Last year the parish drop about these had really been too early for the services. Beth was updating the list for delivering these leaflets. The services used to be included in a Worcester Park churches’ joint Christmas card, but that did not happen last year. Milly offered to enquire if that could be done again.  A decision should be taken at October PCC.
Milly
	Easy Fundraising - Lynn said St John’s now had 51 supporters using this system to increase giving. £1775 had been raised to date.  Debra was adapting a leaflet to encourage more such use.

f) Maintenance  - Sally said they would like to add a QR patch to the church board, as on the new Hall board, giving instant access to the website.  Quotation for this was about £80, but alternatively the QR could just be printed, laminated and attached.  Mike said Father Michael needed to be added to the board.  Also the board at the Plough had 337 rather than 330 in the telephone number, but this had been corrected with a sticker.
	Mike thanked those involved in the churchyard working party, and Lynn and Lorraine who had provided refreshments for them.
	There was concern about the Quinquennial requirements and Chris Benson knew an architect willing to have a preliminary discussion about these.  This would include disability access.
 
g) Outreach Committee - Deborah reported that £859 had been raised in Christian Aid Week (£760 coming from the Big Brekkie). £763 had been raised for the Bishop’s Lent Appeal, (£580 from the Lent Lunches).
	Pat Lovegrove was still seeking a cook for the Christmas Day Event.

7216	8 - Deanery Synod Report
Anthony had received a request that the Synod on 16 October should be held at St John’s.  This would be a good opportunity for Father Michael to meet other members.  Light refreshments would be required at 7.30 p.m.
		The PCC agreed to this request.

7217	9 - Any Other Business notified at (2)   There was none.

7218	10 - Church Wardens’ Notes
	Mike mentioned the Smith’s Charity, explaining its provision for particular needs.

There being no further business Milly closed the meeting with prayer at 9.30 p.m.

The next PCC meeting will be on Tuesday, 1st October 2019 at 8 p.m.