Summary of the PCC meeting 26th September 2011

The Vicar commenced the meeting by reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16 and Psalm 136:1-3, this was followed by a time of prayerful thanks to God.

Youth worker – the chair of the Youth & Children’s Committee informed the meeting that he had met with the Parish Manager and that they have set a provisional timetable and process for recruitment of the new youth worker, with the aim of trying to get someone in post in January 2012.

The meeting was informed that the proposed Diocesan Deanery Share arrangements for 2012 can be found at http://www.coventry.anglican.org/admin/finance/deanerysharesystem/

The Deanery has made a request for the PCC to discuss the topic "encouraging local lay leadership in mission". This will be carried out through an on-line “chat” at:

http://upthelearningcurve.blogspot.com/

Feel free to contribute, though any contributions should be made by 14th October at the latest. A response to the Deanery will be produced; this will be presented to the PCC at its October meeting.

Holy Trinity now has a Geocache in the churchyard, visit http://coord.info/GC336C6 for further details.

The PCC were made aware of the ePetition: Cashless Scrap Metal Trade - Amendment to Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964, which can be found at:

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/406

The petition has been prompted by a huge upsurge in the theft of metal from churches and elsewhere over the last year. Currently scrap metal merchants can pay cash for scrap metal, which means that it is easy to anonymously dispose of stolen metal. The petition is requesting the Government to amend the law so that cash transactions are prohibited and payment by cheque or directly into a bank account is mandatory. This would mean there is an audit trail and it is expected that it will lead to a significant reduction in metal theft.

The budget setting process for 2012 was agreed. Budget holders will soon be receiving information about submitting their budgets. These will need to go to the Finance Committee by 31st October 2011 at the latest.

It was agreed to increase the insurance excess to £1,000 per claim. It is expected that this will result in a net reduction in costs. It was also agreed that the church building be insured for 75% of its valuation, rather than the current 100%, this will make a large saving. In reaching its decision the PCC took account of the fact that a large proportion of the building comprises stonework, which would be relatively unaffected by fire.

The chair of the Buildings & Fabric Committee explained that as part of the city centre improvements, the City Council is prepared to carry out some minor works to the front of the church at no cost to the church. The PCC approved a minor works application to the DAC for the following:

• subject to approval of the Council Tree Officer, the removal of broken-down 'rockery' type circular low walls around the front trees facing Broadgate
• removal of the 'green box' serving the now redundant spire projection equipment and associated large bush
• removal of the large display board located to the left hand side of the front of the church, when facing the church
• installation of a new power cable to the position of the proposed Christmas tree at the front of the church.

It was agreed that the church building be closed from Sunday 25th December 2011 to Monday 2nd January 2012, inclusive, except for service times on 25th December 2011 and 1st January 2012.

The meeting finished with the Grace.

Questions or comments can be passed to any member of the PCC. If you are not sure who we are, then our names and photographs are on the PCC notice board located in the church.

Please feel free to contact me: PCCsecretary@HolyTrinityCoventry.org.uk or write c/o the church office.