Co-ordinated Parochial Church Council held on 16th January 2025 in Church Cottage, Wheldrake
Present: Revd. D Long, Revd. J Doyle-Brett (Chair), Mr P Botting(W) (Minutes), Mrs R Smith(W), Mr E Smith(W), Mrs B Carter (W), Mrs T Martin (W), Mr I Broster (E), Dr A Stead (E), Mr K Jaynes(W), Mr S Reilly-Usher(S), Mr S Fell (T), Mrs E Sherbourn-Spence (S) and Mrs B Urwin (W).
Apologies:, Mr G Denby (W), Mr N Black(W), Mrs M Rawet (W), Dr A Hodgson(W) and Mrs J Patrick(T).
Resignations: Mrs J Crowder(T)
Opening worship: Prayer were led by The Revd. J Doyle-Brett
| COMMENT | ACTION | |
| 01/25 | Declaration of Interest: None | |
| 02/25 | Correction and adoption of minutes from 11th November 2024. The minutes were accepted as a correct record proposed by Mr T Smith and seconded by Mr S Reilly-Usher. Agreed Nem. Con. | |
| 03/25 | Action points from last meeting: There were none | |
| 04/25 | Priest in Charge’s report. The report had been circulated and was taken as read. First of all, may I say a huge thank you to everyone involved with the Advent and Christmas services. A lot of hard work goes in to them and we certainly experienced the fruit of that hard work and commitment. As you know we often get people in church at Christmas that never come during the year – this is our opportunity to show the church at its best and my word we did! The fact that this year we had a significant increase in attendance in many churches is also testament to our hard work last Christmas and throughout the year. It felt like a real affirmation that our P4G is working and we are travelling in the right direction to see our churches beginning to flourish and reverse the decline. We had over 700 people attend Carol Services across the Partnership. Well done everyone! My sabbatical planning is very much advanced and will be working closely with church wardens to ensure everything is organised. I will update everyone at our March CPCCs. We are in a difficult time in the church and I am much relieved that our Archbishop is still in place and will be leading us for some time to come. His recent Ad Clerum had a very clear message that we must be prepared to change, to renew and move forward. Archbishop Stephen says “Working closely with Sarah, the Bishop of London, in her role as Dean of the Province of Canterbury, for most of the next year it falls to me to help guide the Church of England through these challenging times. I am hugely grateful for the affirmation and support I have received, though I know and accept that some people have concerns. But aware of my own needs and shortcomings I pledge myself to learn, and I pledge myself to do what I can to steer through the change we need on these important issues and to hold myself accountable, both to the processes we have at the moment and to the new ones we will introduce. I invite the clergy and people of the Church of England to do the same and in your parish and worshipping community to pray for the stability, good governance, and renewal of our Church. I will then look forward to working closely with whomever the Spirit calls to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Such a renewal of prayer, a new dependence upon God and a new focus on discipleship, living out our Christian vocation each day, will, I believe, help us to become a simpler, humbler and bolder church – and by ‘church’ I mean here both the universal Church, the bride of Christ and the community of the redeemed, and the thousands of local parishes, chaplaincies and other expressions of Christian community that are the bedrock and lifeblood of the Church of England” I think it is important that we follow his lead, to be willing to become aware of our own shortcomings, be prepared to pledge ourselves to learn, to pray for stability and work towards a renewal of our beloved church. Everything that ++Stephen is calling for we already have embedded in our P4G and 5MM Teams. As we move into 2025 may each of you feel called to re-commit to our vision to become missionary disciples, living Christ’s story and making God’s love visible. May this year see us all grow in our Christ- likeness, following the command to love one another. Rev Doyle-Brett asked that people pray about the very difficult road ahead for the church and especially the Archbishop. People are working hard at grassroots level, regarding safeguarding, and getting it right even though there are still things to do. It is very important that congregations engage with this situation. | |
| 05/25 | Deanery Partnership Report. The report had been circulated and was taken as read. Deanery Leadership Team Report for meeting on January 29 Attended by Revd Jackie, Revd Jan, Alison Gilmour, Caroline Wandless and Paul Botting on Zoom on 9 December. The Clergy Chapter was invited to join us for discussion of the first item – safeguarding. We were joined by Revd Darius. We received apologies from Revd Debbie, Revd Kath, Revd Nick, Revd Robert and Phil McBride. We began by using the prayer for Syria from Open Door. All of our parishes have complied with Safeguarding requirements but we have not included any mention of safeguarding in our Deanery Plan. Each benefice is fully responsible for its own safeguarding policy and conduct. Darius asked what we are hoping for from the involvement of the Deanery. We should make the Deanery a place for us all to share good practice across/ between our benefices. The Parish Safeguarding Officers can feel unsupported. Perhaps we could set up meetings for the PSOs, and ensure that safeguarding becomes an annual item on our agenda. We will include Safeguarding in our Plan and also include Accessibility and Disability Equality while working on the amendments. The DLT meeting continued with a motion proposing an annual contribution from each parish for £25 to Deanery funds at the beginning of each year. Revd Jan proposed this, seconded by Paul and was carried. We considered Phil’s report on the financial position within our Deanery. Accounting procedures have led to an anomaly where one parish has paid arrears from previous year but it looks like an overpayment in the current year. Another parish has reduced its contribution, (retaining reserves while paying for Pioneer ministry and an administrator alongside a declining population and reduction in giving). When we look at parish costs we must remember that they cover housing and stipend but not other on-costs such as Continuing Ministerial Education (CME). Overall our Deanery has unrestricted reserve funds which are higher than recommended. At Diocesan Synod level plans are being made to avoid our Diocese becoming bankrupt by 2028. Mr Botting stated that the Deanery has gone below the level of giving needed to sustain the ministry at its current level. Wheldrake’s decision to reduce their FWO had a big impact on the Deanery. By the end of 2025 the Deanery has to show that it can sustain the staffing level currently in place, and by 2030 it will need to embrace all the costs of ministry within in the parish groupings. Mr Broster suggested that as there were 20 churches in the Deanery that a request should be made to the whole Deanery to help put that £5,000 in place by the end of the year. This was agreed and a letter would be written to the Deanery to suggest this course of action, to clear the shortfall. It was stated that Derwent Ings benefice would take a proportion of this shortfall. | PJB |
| 06/25 | Suspension of rights of presentation: There will be a meeting on 21st January at 7.30pm in Escrick church (as many as possible are encouraged to attend) with the Archdeacon to look at a way forward. This meeting resolved to ask the Archdeacon and the Bishop to remove the suspension process, and that Rev Doyle-Brett be made Rector. Proposed Dr Stead and seconded by Mr Jaynes agreed Nem. Con. | |
| 07/25 | Safeguarding: The report from Mrs Rawet had been circulated and taken as read. Mr Beresford who is our parish safeguarding officer will now take on administration of the parish dashboard and will also be the DBS verifier for the whole partnership. Rev Doyle-Brett asked for a note of thanks be minuted to Mrs Rawet for the work she has done stepping into the breach after our administrator left. It was noted that there is a new module on Domestic abuse, but it is now not mandatory. The CPCC were surprised by this and asked that Rev Doyle-Brett ask about this at Diocesan level. | JDB |
| 08/25 | Policy Revisions: None | |
| 09/25 | Update plans for growth: No update | |
| 10/25 | Any Other Business. 4th March Pancake Party and the home of Mr and Mrs Stephen Fell, for all the CPCC More details to follow. |
Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 12th May 2025 in Church Cottage 7.30 pm, refreshments from7.00pm.
Wheldrake Parochial Church Council meeting held on 16th January 2025
Present: Mr K Jaynes, Mr P Botting (minutes), Mr E Smith, Mrs R Smith, Mrs B Carter, Mrs T Martin and Mrs B Urwin.
Apologies: Mr G Denby, Mr N Black, Mrs M Rawet and Dr A Hodgson
| COMMENT | ACTION | |
| 01/25 | Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest | |
| 02/25 | Minutes of the meeting 11th November 2024: The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting, agreed Nem Con. Mintes of Extraordinary meeting 19th December 2024 on zoom The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting, agreed Nem. Con. | |
| 03/25 | Action Points: from Minutes of the meeting on 11th November 2024: 65/24 School Governor vacancies – These are progressing but not yet complete 67/24 Letter to Dr Mawer – competed 68/24 Apportioning multiply costs to others in the benefice. Discussed under Treasurers report along with the Budget meeting proposals 69/24 Christmas Fair. Mrs Rawet and Mrs Martin had taken on the co-ordinating of the food for this event. Mr Botting had purchased a new water boiler. Mrs Rawet and Dr Hodgson had competed the risk assessments for the Fair. 70/24 Lent lunches it was agreed that we would send any money raised to water Aid | PJB |
| 04/25 | Correspondence: All correspondence had been circulated as it arrived. The letter about suspension of Patron rights had been dealt with in the CPCC meeting. There was an EIG newsletter a hard copy had been put in church. | |
| 05/25 | Treasurer’s Report: Mr Jaynes distributed a paper to the members with all the relevant information about the accounts. The redistribution of partnership costs still needs to be done. The 10% which was allocated to East Cottingwith needs to be share between the other four parishes. This would need to be on the agenda of the next CPCC. We would also need to think about the Parish office and Multiply expenses at the same time. | PJB |
| 06/24 | Presentation of draft budget: Mr Jaynes circulated copies of the budget and talked through the items of income and expenditure. The draft was approved by the members without any changes. | |
| 07/25 | Annual Parochial Church Meeting: Date set for meeting Monday 17th March at 7.30pm in Church Cottage | |
| 08/25 | Policies: None | |
| 09/25 | Warden’s Report: This was circulated before the meeting and noted. | |
| 10/25 | Safeguarding/H&S: The oven in the cottage needs to be scurred in its housing There was an incident in which a cottage user had banged and cut his head on the cooker hood the PCC will monitor this. | |
| 11/25 | Insurance Notifications: Walk of Witness Friday 18th April from Skipwith to Wheldrake 9.30am to 2.00pm | |
| 12/25 | Information Sharing: Dr Hodgson asked for help in moving pew to set up the church for the quiz on 8th February, Mr Botting will do that. An email would be circulated about help for refreshments and advertising in pew news | PJB |
| 13/25 | AOB: None |
Date of APCM 17th March 2025 at 7.30pm in Church Cottage
Date of next CPCC/WPCC 7.30pm Monday 12th May 2025 – At Church Cottage
Secretary for APCM Mr P Botting
Secretary for WPCC: Mr K Jaynes
WPCC meeting Chair: Mrs B Carter
Co-ordinated Parochial Church Council held on 12th May 2025 in Church Cottage, Wheldrake
Present: Mr P Botting(W) (Chair), Mrs R Smith(W), Mrs B Carter (W), Mrs T Martin (W), Mr I Broster (E), Mr K Jaynes(W), Mr S Reilly-Usher(S), Mr S Fell (T), Mrs E Sherbourn-Spence (S), Dr A Hodgson (W), Mr N Black (W), Mrs C Harwood (E) Mrs R Slater-Carr (E), Mr G Denby (W) (Minutes)
Apologies: The Revd D Long, Mrs M Rawet (W) Mrs J Patrick(T), Mrs B Urwin (W), Dr A Stead (E), Mr E Smith (W)
Opening worship: Mr P Botting opened the meeting with prayer
Welcome: Two new members: Mrs Carol Harwood and Mrs Rosie Slater-Carr were welcomed.
| COMMENT | ACTION | |
| 11/25 | Declaration of Interest: None | |
| 12/25 | Correction and adoption of minutes from 16th January 2025 The minutes were accepted as a correct record and signed by the Chair. | |
| 13/25 | Action points from last meeting: A letter to the Deanery concerning a meeting about finances had been distributed to members. Also, there would be no change of policy regarding the safeguarding policy on Domestic Abuse; we would continue to require certification of the online program. | |
| 14/25 | The Priest in Charge’s Report: The report had been circulated and was taken as read | |
| 15/25 | The Deanery Partnership Report: The report had been circulated and was taken as read. You probably already know that the Deanery Partnership meets three times twice face to face and once a year on zoom, and we movie around the various parishes. The partnership has resolved to be a helpful resource to the parishes within its area. Tackling things which are common to all parishes. Some of these will be training, policy documentation, accessibility, sharing resources and skill shares. Finance and the Provision for people with disabilities were the last items discussed. Parishes were reminded through their representatives that there was help from the Diocesan office Generous giving team, they are available to support in whatever way a parish requests In response to Revd Darius’ enquiry at one of the meeting members were reminded about making our buildings as accessible as possible by provision of toilets, noticeboards at the right level, large print books, specialist ramps, hearing loops and other aids. There is a resource being developed for our LLMs and ALMs. A place online where ideas and services could be stored and shared. And a physical reference library has been set up where books may be borrowed. We continued our practice of three annual Deanery-wide services for Candlemas, Ascension Day and St Luke’s Day. These have all taken place in Wheldrake in order that they can be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person. They can of course be watched later via the Derwent Ings website. We still continue the practice of involving each of our parishes by having different teams from the benefices leading the worship from St Helen’s. There is provision for a half day quiet time in April and a full day in September The Deanery Prayer Calendar is regularly produced, encouraging us each to support our local parishes, learning of their areas of concern and supporting them with prayer. The LLM and Clergy have found that the annual afternoon meeting together is very useful Finally the monthly Deanery Evening Prayer sessions are ongoing. | |
| 16/25 | Apportionment of shared Costs (Multiply and Office): Mr K Jaynes introduced the matter giving us details of costs for clergy expenses and administration which apply throughout the Partnership. Clergy expenses for 2023 were £3408 and for 2024 were £2427. These had been shared across the benefice on the following basis – Wheldrake 40%, Elvington 25%, Thorganby 15%, and Sutton& East Cottingwith 10%. Administration costs had varied but the current cost would be £5242. It was agreed that Mr Jaynes would liaise with the other treasurers in the Partnership to review the formula for sharing costs and report to a future meeting. It was agreed that discussion on the costs of the Multiply Ministry would be postponed until the next meeting. | KJ |
| 17/25 | Safeguarding: A presentation on Safeguarding was given by the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Mr M Beresford. The PowerPoint presentation is recorded below. Rivers Partnership – Safeguarding presentation “The Church is called to share the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. The good news speaks of welcome for all, with a particular regard for those who are most vulnerable, into a community where the value and dignity of every human being is affirmed and those in positions of responsibility and authority are truly trustworthy. Being faithful to our call to share the gospel therefore compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and responding well where it has.” Promoting a Safer Church; The Church of England’s Safeguarding Policy for children, young people and adults Policies and action plans • Safeguarding roles • Displaying safeguarding information • Activities Policies and action plans • Safeguarding policy approved annually • Action plan also approved annually • Other policies (eg social media, recruitment of ex-offenders) approved every two or three years Safeguarding Roles • Parish Safeguarding Officer • Churchwarden • PCC member • DBS Administrator • Activities Safeguarding Roles • Training (C of E online training) • Confidential Disclosure Form * • DBS checks * * All PCC members to provide confidential disclosure and DBS checks Display Safeguarding Information • Poster in every church • Website Activities (safeguarding) • Church activities • Non-church activities An adult (a person aged 18 or over) who is receiving one of the following services: • Health care; • Relevant personal care; • Social care work; • Assistance with household matters due to age, illness or disability; • Relevant assistance in the conduct of their own affairs; or • Conveying due to age, illness or disability in certain circumstances. Church activities • PCC authorization • Risk assessment • Insurance cover • Role descriptions for leaders and helpers • Training/DBS for leaders and helpers • Follow code of safer working practice Non-Church Activities • PCC authorization • Hire agreement in place | |
| 18/25 | Policy Revisions: None | |
| 19/25 | Update plans for growth: No update | |
| 20/25 | Any Other Business. The meeting agreed that the policy of giving booklets to primary school leavers in the Benefice should continue. Mr I Broster commented that the Parish Giving Scheme used at Elvington was excellent and well worth considering. It was noted that due to change in circumstances and the loss of a house for duty post the Deanery finances had improved With regard to the Suspension of Patrons’ rights it was noted that The Revd J Doyle-Brett would become Rector of the two Benefices in the Partnership. The licensing would probably take place in September. |
Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 24th July 2025 in Church Cottage 7.30 pm.
Wheldrake Parochial Church Council meeting held on Monday 12th May 2025
Present: Mrs B Carter (Chair), Mr P. Botting, Mr N. Black, Mrs T Martin, Dr A Hodgson, Mrs A Dodd, Mrs R Smith, Mr K Jaynes (minutes) and Mr G Denby.
Apologies: Mrs M Rawet Mrs B Urwin, Mr E Smith, Revd. Debbie Long
| COMMENT | ACTION | |
| 18/25 | Adoption of Minutes: The minutes of the PCC Meeting on 16 January 2025 and of the Extraordinary Meeting on 17 March 2025 were adopted unanimously following some minor corrections to spelling mistakes and punctuation. | |
| 15/25 | Action Points: 03/25 (i) – School Governors: Mr P Botting updated the meeting about current vacancies for School Governors. 03/25 (ii) Allocation of Clergy and Other Expenses: Mr Jaynes had asked that these would be discussed as Agenda items on both Wheldrake PCC and CPCC meetings in May. There were no further Action Points from current PCC, CPCC, Extraordinary PCC and APCM meetings. | |
| 16/25 | Correspondence: (i) – Diocesan FWO Financing Roadshow: The Diocese is staging a roadshow for PCC Secretaries and Treasurers during June to discuss FWO funding. Mr P Botting told the meeting that he aimed to attend the meeting at Heworth on 24 June. Mr K Jaynes added that he would endeavour to attend too. (ii) – E-mail from Catharine Grievson: Catherine asked that in addition to continuing our long-term support for Tearfund we would add Christian Aid as a charity for our support. This was agreed and Mr Botting will contact Catherine to confirm. | PJB |
| 17/25 | Treasurer’s Report: This had been circulated before the meeting. (i) – Correction to 2024 PCC Accounts: Mr K Jaynes confirmed that he had made an error on the accounts originally presented to the PCC but that this had been corrected before presentation of the corrected version at the APCM. The error was to the balance of the Raithwaite Loan received from the Liquidators. It should have been treated as a transfer from reserves but instead, since it was paid directly into our bank account, it was treated mistakenly as a cash receipt. The Examiner identified the error when he was checking the source and application of funds and the movement of cash between funds. The final accounts for 2024 had been recorded in the Return of Parish Finance following the APCM. Regarding the Return of Parish Finance, Mr P Botting noted that this now requested the PCC to provide not only Electoral Roll information but also ethnicity data, which was not widely available. Mr Botting agreed to take this to the deanery for discussion and a ruling. (ii) – Clergy and Administrative Costs: Allocation of these costs was covered at the Combined PCC Meeting immediately before this meeting. Mr K Jaynes to contact all Treasurers in the Rivers Partnership to discuss and where possible agree an equitable allocation. (iii) – Gift Aided Giving: Mr K Jaynes provided information on how this had declined over the previous two years as a number of major ‘covenanted’ donors had either died or passed away. He stressed that all donors were valued since their regular gifts enabled us to retain a base level of regular income that enabled us to budget more confidently. He asked that this becomes a discussion item on the next PCC Meeting and that all members give this some thought on potential solutions -e.g., Gift Days with QR Code access for donations, Publication of Church running costs in the new church and community news Connections, etc. (iv) – 2025 Six Month Budget Review: Mr K Jaynes noted that time constraints had made it impossible to prepare a detailed six-month progress report on the Budget figures. Instead, this would be circulated before the next meeting using June figures to make this more accurate. | PJB KJ KJ KJ |
| 18/25 | Fete Update: Mrs B Carter informed the meeting that few new volunteers for fund raising activities were coming forward, yet, in spite of this all the stalls were fully manned. Mr Botting would locate the Tombola drum and move the pews to maximise the open area in the Church. Set up would be during the morning, Ben Hodgson would be available for this but unable to attend during the afternoon. | PJB |
| 19/25 | Appointment of Officers: To simplify this process, Mr Botting outlined only those appointments which remained to be filled and requested members of the meeting to identify any positions that were either not noted or required review. Mr G Denby noted that he wished to retain his position with the chalice. Dr A Hodgson questioned here position as Band Leader when such limited use was now made of the church band. It was agreed that the band be retained for Christmas activity and we should seek other opportunities to call on the band. Mrs C Grievson was added for Christian Aid and Dr A Hodgson as Tearfund Quiz Organiser. Proposed by Mr P Botting, Seconded by Dr A Hodgson voted all in favour. | |
| 20/25 | Warden’s Report: The report was distributed before the meeting and Mr Botting ran through the detail with updates where necessary: (i) Churchyard Trees – Letter of Complaint: David Randon has been asked to check and report back on the specifics regarding the trees outlined in the complaint. (ii) Churchyard Burial Spaces: The remaining space for conventional burials will probably be exhausted in the next 5 years. One solution could be to seek a change of use for the current area behind the church designated for green burial to mixed use. PCC Members are asked to contact Mr P Botting independently by e-mail with their thoughts on this policy. (iii) Copier and BT Internet Hub: Mr P Botting explained that the photocopier in the Church on lease from HAD-Copy was too large to be moved to the office upstairs in the Cottage. He has researched alternatives and would contact the company regarding a change in September. This was agreed. Mr K Jaynes is to contact BT to arrange a second hub to boost the broadband signal in the Cottage office. | PJB ALL/PJB KJ |
| 21/25 | Safeguarding: Mike Beresford has taken overall responsibility for managing the records and checks on all PCC and other church members in the partnership who should be trained and for some, have current DBS. He explained his new role in the earlier CPCC Meeting. All PCC Members are asked to ensure they allow access to their Diocesan Safeguarding training records and has produced a shoer video about how to do this. Dr A Hodgson Will review and update the Risk Assessment for the Fete and send a copy to Mr P Botting. | ALL AH |
| 22/25 | Insurance and Information Sharing: Nothing noted. | |
| 23/25 | AOB: (i) Support for Martin House Hospice for Children: Mr K Jaynes told the meeting that he had received an appeal letter from Martin House for a gift to their Hydrotherapy Pool Appeal. This would benefit many children, often with complex disabilities, by helping them move and play in a therapeutic setting. Mrs B Carter said that she would expect a reasonable return from books donated for the fete and sold to Music Magpie. She suggested a donation of £50 on this basis. This was agreed. (ii) Help with Churchyard Maintenance: Dr A Hodgson raised this issue and, in spite of a Man Talk sponsored team activity on 12.06.2025, regular longer-term support remained difficult to find. Dr Hodgson offered to ask her son Ben, who organises Explorer Scout activities locally to see if such assistance could be incorporated into part of their programme for the King’s Scout Award. Mr Jaynes asked if we had any contacts with Young Offenders Services who could arrange work parties. It was suggested that Alison Stead, an Elvington PCC member might have a contact. Mr Jaynes agreed to contact her. | KJ AH KJ |
| The Meeting Closed at 9.30pm with The Grace Date of Next Wheldrake PCC Meeting: 24th July 2025 |