Parish of Woodham Ferrers and Bicknacre


PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING


Minutes of the PCC meeting on Monday December 12th 2011 at Edwins Hall at 8 p.m.


PRESENT:, Sue Robins, Sylvia Morgan, Steve Porter, Sharon Hutton-Mayson, Nick Kitchen, Malcolm Lyall, John Woodrow and Dave Cox.



  1. Nick opened the meeting with a bible reading and a prayer.

  2. Apologies were received from Jenny Thorndycraft-Huggett, Sylvia Morgan, Emily Milne and Sally Kitchen. Nicola and Mark Johnson have resigned from the PCC.

  3. Minutes of the meeting – held on November 7th were approved.

  4. Matters arising – The cleaning of Church House on December 10th was successful. The water has been drained down and the guttering was cleared at the lower levels. Child protection is still outstanding. ACTION MALCOLM.

  5. Treasurers Report – St. Andrews could possibly make savings on their electricity bills by changing tariffs next year. A remote meter will be installed at St. Mary’s. Levels of income and expenditure are roughly the same as last year and we should therefore pay £22K of the parish share. St. Mary’s fabric fund is quite low after recent expenditure.

  6. Church Wardens Report – St. Andrews – The fire escape has been cleared ready for Christingles. Nick has been busy filling services for January which is going well. January 29th is a fifth Sunday. Sharon will check if Congregational is expecting us, if not it will be at St. Mary’s. The Christmas market made over £600. ACTION SHARON St. Mary’s –Sharon had a meeting with the DAC about the possible temporary car park on November 10th and another with Michael Hurst the conservation officer on November 23rd. Mr. Hurst was sympathetic but needed to consult with the highways department about more regular use of the entrance. We await his reply.

  7. Secretary’s Report – Nothing to report.

  8. Deanery Synod Report – A Steve had already attended a St. Andrews and Chelmer Crouch meeting that week he was unable to attend.

  9. Chelmer Crouch Group Report –Steve attended. The focus was on plans for 2012 and the current activities at individual churches. Individual strengths and expertise were identified in order to lend support to those churches starting new ventures like Ann Kosla’s messy church.

  10. The Parish Profile – A working draft was discussed which was 90% complete. Steve will take pictures of the main services this Christmas to add to the document and our website. In addition Dave will speak to Mike Cotton about possibly using his archive of pictures. Malcolm, Emily, Steve and Nick are planning to circulate a final working draft to the PCC and then Martin Wood before Christmas. ACTION NICK, STEVE, MALCOLM AND EMILY

  11. Items of information –Dave updated the PCC on the new church building. After at least ten meetings with the parish council, they sent an informal response saying they acknowledged an identified need for a new church building in the parish. They were uncertain as to whether a sports centre and facilities was also needed and have requested Priory Acres provide proof that the sports hall should be included in the plans. A response will be planned at the next Priory Acres meeting.

  12. Date and time of next meeting –February 6th 2012 at St. Andrew’s at 8p.m.