Minutes of the meeting of the PCC held in Royston Parish Church on Monday 24 Novenber 2025

There were 19 present.
The Vicar opened the meeting with prayer.
Two apologies were received.
The minutes of the meeting of 17 October were approved.

Matters arising:
It was noted that a license had been purchased to cover ongoing concerts in the church.
The matter of whether the Outreach Committee should be able to make decisions on expenditure in its own right was discussed, it was decided that this was permitted under the terms of reference agreed by the PCC on 3rd March this year.
It was noted that indoor bins had been purchased.
No decisions have been taken by the standing committee.

Finance:
The PCC was pleased to hear that the Diocese had announced an overall reduction across the diocese in Parish Share of 3.5%, equating to 7% in real terms. Reflecting our growing congregation our own Parish Share was reducing by £35, to 69,634 in 2026.
It was noted that Lloyds Bank had changed their terms and conditions and as a consequence we could revert to having a charity account. The name used by Lloyds must now be exactly the same as that used by the Charity Commission, this matter is in hand but may take time.
After discussion It was agreed that dual authorisation be triggered for expenditure transactions over £1000, this would be attended to.
The church booking form was discussed and updated and certain fees amended

Committee reports
The Events committee has a number of events in hand and reported that a the coach had been booked for Jaime’s priesting.
The Outreach committee had undertaken a major review of missions giving, meaning that a smaller number of charities will be supported, but receiving larger amounts and for a three-year period. It is hoped that the congregation would engage well with the process and the charities. The focus of the giving would be structured around the Five Marks of Mission.
It was agreed that we should look into having a Vicar’s Discretionary Fund and a paper outlining the scope of the Fund, to be presented to the next PCC meeting.
The fabric committee reported that there was a shortlist of four church architects and that all would be interviewed.
A curtain track for inside the vestry would cost about £100. The expenditure was approved to a maximum of £150.
The cost of a Howe dolly would be investigated so that we can deal better with moving chairs in church.
The new cupboard had cost more than expected, due to having an extra shelf, but that overall the whole project had cost less than expected, because we had not needed the protective Perspex.
An invoice had been received from the fire alarm company.. The PCC agreed payment provided subject to a final check by the fabric committee It was asked if the children’s church leaders could be involved with decision-making on the refurbishment of the vestry.
The Church’s data security was discussed, we are fortunate in having a member of the congregation with professional knowledge and the matter is well in hand.
The Safeguarding committee referred to one of the policies and this was unanimously accepted.
We are still without a Minister of Music but the matter is receiving attention.
It was agreed to have an inclusion working party
The Parish Administrator’s salary was reviewed. Being confidential this is not reported on further.
The meeting closed with Grace at 9.30pm.

Synopsis of the minutes of the meeting of the PCC held in Royston Parish Church on Friday 17
October 2025 at 7.00 p.m.
There were 10 members present and a reader in training, present as an observer.
The meeting was opened in prayer
There were 9 apologies
The minutes of the meeting held on 15 September were approved.
Under matters arising plans are still in hand for a children’s cinema, it is hoped to start this initiative
in the spring of half term, license requirements are in hand.
No decisions have been made by the standing committee since the last meeting
1. Finance
Under finance it was reported that the first nine months of the year had been better than expected.
This was because the repairs to the south wall had been less costly than anticipated and because we
had not been paying for a permanent organist. However, a more expensive period was approaching,
with higher gas bills and the payment for the new storage cupboard. The recent stewardship
campaign had been successful and the PCC expressed its thanks to those who organised the
campaign and the many who contribute to the church.
Under Fabric it was reported that the new cupboard was being installed and should be ready by
Christmas. The installation of the related perspex cover will follow . The fire alarm was serviced and a
fault found, this is in hand.
After hearing from the sustainable living committee PCC members agreed that our recycling should
be improved and additional bins obtained to better separate our rubbish.
The Outreach committee reported that progress had been made in all areas, especially social media.
The committee had decided to consider adjusting its distribution of mission or charity money and
that at the next committee meeting, they intend to formulate an overall strategy clarifying what
types of body could be eligible for our missions giving.
Considerable time was spent considering safeguarding policies and the policy statements on
Domestic Abuse and the Recruitment of Ex Offenders
Although a Minister of Music has not yet been appointed the matter is being advertised and is in
hand, as a side issue the PCC approved looking at improving the organ stops.
At the vicar’s Ministerial Development Review, the possibility has been raised of him building links
between us and the cathedral and him becoming a Day Chaplain. This involved acting as a pastor in
the cathedral from time to time, the PCC was pleased to hear of this possibility and could see
advantages to Royston Parish church. The PCC offered its full support but was aware of the vicar’s
already busy schedule.
The meeting closed with the Grace at 9.05pm.

ROYSTON PARISH CHURCH
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC)
Synopsis of the minutes of the PCC meeting Monday 15 September 2025.
The meeting was opened with prayer, There were 17 Present, it was chaired by the vicar.
There were four apologies.
The minutes of the meeting of 13 June were approved.
The issue of car parking is still under consideration and will be discussed at a future meeting
The Standing Committee had approved the expenditure of £200 to move the AV socket, this was
noted by the PCC.
The financial report was considered, The request for funds to purchase ear defenders was approved.
There are sufficient funds for a cupboard to be used for table storage. The PCC unanimously
approved proceeding with this.
The outreach committee confirmed that they would undertake complete reviews of missions giving
and church communications.
The fabric committee are aware of the worn carpet in the vestry which could be dangerous, It was
agreed that quotations for the necessary remedial action be obtained.
It is proposed that the church hire a coach for Jaime’s priesting at St Albans on 4 July 2026..
There were no reports concerning safeguarding
There had been a presentation on Christian Aid at the recent deanery synod meeting as explanation
was given on how the charity works in close co-operation with other agencies
The issue of The letting of the church building was discussed at great length, it was agreed that we
could gradually and cautiously progress towards a policy of increased letting of the church building, a
proposal may be made at a future meeting.
Steven explained that whilst we already allow quite a wide variety of uses, it is now timely for him to
produce some proposals for a future meeting.
It was agreed to have a permanent record of legacies and substantial donations to the church.
It was agreed to proceed and further investigate the proposal to have a community cinema in the
church, aimed at children and their families notably in the school holidays.
The meeting closed with the Grace at 9.00pm.

Synopsis of the minutes of the meeting of the PCC held in Royston Parish Church, on
Monday 28 July 2025 at 7.00 p.m.
There were 17 present
The Meeting was opened with prayer
There were 3 apologies
Revd Jamie, the newly appointed curate, was welcomed to the PCC (under church
governance rules Jamie is automatically a member of the PCC).
the minutes of the meeting held 13 June were approved with the correction of a spelling
mistake.
Under matters arising:
It was agreed to consider a permanent records of legacy donations.
Further consideration is to be given to the proposed community cinema.
A presentation was made to the former PCC secretary in recognition of his work over a
number of years.
There was further brief discussion about car parking provision. It was suggested that the PCC
members involved should view the provision at Harpenden and Redbourn Commons and,
closer to home, at Coombes Hole near the allotments.
It was decided that some items no longer used could be stored at the town’s museum.
No decisions have been taken by the Standing Committee or the PCC since the last meeting.
Under finance the PCC was pleased to receive the accounts for the first half of the year
which were better than the budget forecast the reduction in expenditure had been because
the cost of repairs to the south wall had been lower than expected, and spending was
reduced by not having a Minister of Music in post.
The purchasing of electricity is still in hand .
There would be stewardship campaign in September along similar lines as in the past.
The fabric committee reported that a request had been received from the Royal British
Legion for two further standards to be displayed. This would necessitate the fixing of a two
further brackets, the costs would be met by RBL. and the church would check the possible
need for a faculty
Some routine work is needed on the door locks and the PCC approved the necessary
expenditure.
We have now signed a service agreement for the fire alarm and are awaiting the annual test
on the lightning conductor. Further CCTV equipment and streaming facility is to be
considered.
Pigeon gel and plastic spikes had been obtained.

The cistern for the small toilet keeps failing to refill and the flush apparatus may need
replacement. The taps also need to be adjusted to a lower water pressure as water often
end up on the floor. The PCC approved the necessary expenditure.
The appointment of a new architect is in hand.
It was noted that the flickering light bulb in the chancel has now been replaced. However,
there is still a problem which is in hand.
the issue of using the loft space above the vestry for storage was addressed, some work was
needed to achieve this, the PCC approved the expenditure.
The new phone system will soon be live and consideration now needs to be given to the
church’s broadband.
The notice board needs to be updated the PCC agreed on the wording and approved the
expenditure.
No reports had been received in connection with safeguarding.
Committee reports were received from the Sustainable Living Committee, the outreach
committee and the Events Committee which commented that more crockery was needed
along with another storage unit, the PCC was sympathetic to this but no decision was taken,
in the light of other priorities..The second comment concerned alcohol licensing. Currently,
we have paid fora license for each separate event However, although having an annual
license would cost more initially, it would cost less in the longer term. Following discussion
the PCC members voted in favour of applying for a license by a majority.
The Minister of Music vacancy has not yet been filled but is in hand.
It was agreed that the church’s policies on maternity leave/ paternity pay and sick pay
should be considered by the HR committee and the PCC advised accordingly.
The PCC was pleased to hear the now available statistics show that this synopsis is being
read and it was agreed to continue with its publication
The meeting closed with the Grace at 9.20pm.