DERWENT DEANERY PARTNERSHIP

Minutes of meeting held by Zoom

on 20 January 2025 at 7.30pm.

Present: Revd Jackie Doyle-Brett (Area Dean and Chair), Revd Debbie Long, Revd Kath McBride,
Revd Robert Owen, Revd Darius Traves, Mr Paul Botting (Lay Dean), Mrs Tracy Carr,
Mr John Ellwood, Mrs Alison Gilmour (secretary), Mrs Anne Gray, Mrs Judith Hewitt,
Mrs Annie Hodgson, Mr Phil McBride (DFA) , Mrs Caroline Wandless. Julian Grey, (treasurer,
Osbaldwick) remained in attendance after Evening Prayer.

1. The meeting began after our Deanery Evening Prayer on-line meeting.

2. Apologies for absence:

Apologies were received from Revd Nick Garside,
Revd Jan Nobel, Jenni Bartram and Margaret Eldridge

3. Phil McBride our Deanery Financial Adviser (DFA):

Phil began by screen-sharing a
previously circulated presentation. The first point was an error in the figures presented – Riccall
had pledged £30,200, not £30k as shown. The figures for 2025 pledges are positive but we could
get into difficulty with the pledges for 2026, which are due to be submitted in the summer. The
Cost of Ministry figures do not include the costs of the curates. Revd Jackie pointed out that as a
Deanery we are trying to pay our way and support each other. Phil told us we are in a fluid
situation where 3 of our 5 parish groups/benefices are not covering their costs i.e. 2 are helping to
support the others. Of our 17 Ministry Giving Units 9 have managed to increase their FWO from
2024, but 6 have pledged the same amount as before and 2 have reduced their offer. (Phil is
aware of the reasons for reduction.) Parishes with monies invested need to look at the returns on
their investments, and consider whether it is right to hold on to so much, raising emotive and
controversial issues. Julian Grey pointed out that under charity regulations the requirement is to
hold 6 months of reserves. 7 parishes have over a year’s worth of reserves. Phil pointed out that
he was looking at unrestricted funds only, when looking at parishes holding large reserves.

4. Minutes of the previous meeting:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2024
were approved after proposal by Anne Grey and seconding by Paul Botting. There were no
matters arising.

5. Reports:

The reports from Diocesan Synod and DLT were taken as read. Alison will
circulate a letter to all PCC secretaries and treasurers from Judith Hewitt (our Deanery Treasurer)
about the annual contribution to Deanery Funds (of £25) agreed by DLT. Judith also reported that,
after she visited the bank counter, we have a reprieve from bank charges until February 2027
when the position will be reviewed.

6. The meeting closed with prayer at 08.25pm with prayer led by the Area Dean,
Revd Jackie Doyle-Brett.