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.
A meeting of the PCC was held in church on, Friday 13 June 2025 at 7.00pm
There were 13 present and 7 apologies
The meeting was opened in prayer
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with the correction of a spelling mistake.
Under Matters arising the future dates of PCC meetings and the 2026 APCM were advised It was noted that no decisions requiring ratification had been taken by the Standing Committee since the last PCC.
This was followed by the financial report, the PCC was pleased to learn that the church was due to receive a grant from the “listed places of worship scheme” and had also received two legacies.
The PCC was advised that the church is currently in the Church of England’s Energy Basket arrangement whereby rates for electricity supply are negotiated for a considerable number of churches as a bundle. The current 3-year scheme ends in September 2025 and options are being investigated.
Work needed on the south wall and is being looked into by the relevant sub committee.
The PCC was pleased to hear that the refurbishment of the curate’s home was complete and was under budget.
The PCC was reminded that all who help at church in various ways need to repeat the Safeguarding course every 3 years.
The possibility of a limited number of parking spaces in the churchyard was being investigated by the fabric committee.
The ongoing problem of finding enough storage space in the church was discussed and a number of options were considered.
The PCC concluded that in the first instance the church needs to be firmer in what we retain and store, and that we should have a day allocated when a team systematically analyse what we are storing and aims to reduce what we tore and utilise the space more effectively.
The boiler controls need attention and this is in hand.
The PCC agreed to pursuing the idea of corporate membership of the town twinning association.
The PCC agreed that the vicar should have the authority to make a decision for offering the use of the church to suitable organisations as the requests arise without reference to the PCC
The possibility of obtaining a licence to show films in the church with a focus on children’s entertainment is still undergoing consideration.
The closing date for applications for the post of minister of music is 23 June after which a short list will be decided and interviews arranged.
The retiring Church Warden was thanked for their service and the meeting closed with Grace at 20.30.
A Meeting of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) was held in Royston Parish Church, on Monday 28 April 2025 at 7.00 p.m.
There were 18 Present and 4 apologies for absence
Opening prayers were based on “Be Still and Know that I am God”. (Psalm 46)
The Curate’s home was discussed at length, (the item was brought forward to accommodate non-PCC members who are helping with this matter). We are looking forward to welcoming our new curate and whilst the property is empty we are taking the opportunity to get decorating and facilities in good order, a budget was agreed and a small group appointed to take decisions on such matter as colour choices.
The minutes of the meetings of 3 March and 23 March were unanimously approved.
There were no matters arising from either meeting.
No decisions have been taken by the Standing Committee since the previous meeting.
The Treasurer reported that the first quarter had been in line with the budget. She also reported that a new gas contract had been obtained saving the church considerable funds.
Safeguarding there was nothing to report but the PCC was reminded that the DBS check is essential for church officers and volunteers.
The Fabric Committee
- is dealing with the flashing light.
- has the details of two architects and expects details of a third, the committee will make a choice in due course.
- informed the PCC that the wall outside the kitchen has been repaired but it is still unclear if the ivy should be removed.
The Events Committee :
- commented that volunteers are still required for the book fair.
- requested donations for the hamper to be raffled at the patronal festival.
Equal Opportunities Policy Following discussion the policy was adopted by PCC members with a few amendments.
Summer Club and parents’ craft evening will take place on 5, 14 and 30 August. The parents’ craft evening takes place on 30 June, and it is hoped to have a follow-up session. A budget was agreed without hesitation.
Dates of future PCC meetings were agreed
Music / Minister of Music vacancy is in hand.
ROYSTON PARISH CHURCH
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC)
Synopsis of the minutes of the meeting of the PCC held in Royston Parish Church on Monday 3 March 2025 at 7.30 p.m.
There were 16 present and 4 apologies
The meeting was opened in prayer.
With one minor amendment the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed.
There were matters arising.
Although the DAC had given its permission for swift boxes to be installed it was decided not to pursue the matter for the time being.
The PCC members were reminded that they should take the opportunity to inspect the terrier & Inventory log book.
It was reported that the choristers had had their first workshop.
The annual report was discussed and agreed upon, this will be available by the publication of this synopsis. Further consideration is to be given to the management of the financial reserves and the PCC acknowledged the services of the independent examiner who kindly charged a reduced fee.
After the forthcoming APCM the churches committee structure is to be slightly changed.
The administration of safeguarding procedures were discussed.
The Fabric Committee reported that a new architect was being sought, a fence is being planned on the south side of the church and the repair to the flickering light in the chancel is in hand.
Consideration was given to some work needed to the kitchen wall, the PCC approved the expenditure.
The accommodation for the new curate was discussed and is in hand.
The PCC ratified the decision to withdraw from X (Twitter) as this has not be used recently, the churches other social media activities being clearly preferred.
This was the last PCC meeting before the APCM, those whose terms were ending were thanks for their service and the PCC vacancies were noted.
The meeting closed with Grace at 9.50.
Synopsis of the minutes of the meeting of the PCC held in Royston Parish Church on Sunday 23rd March 2025 following the APCM.
A short meeting of the new PCC was held straight after the APCM on 23rd. March. This was to conduct the routine elections of vice chair, secretary and treasurer and the agree the dates of subsequent meetings.
ROYSTON PARISH CHURCH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC)
Synopsis of the meeting held in Church on Friday 7 February 2025.
There were 17 present Rev’d Dr Sivyer chaired the meeting which was opened with prayer.
There were three apologies.
The minutes of two recent meetings were unanimously agreed.
Under Matters arising
It was reported:
That there was a problem with one of the spotlights which may cost £750 to repair, in the absence of an alternative action this was approved.
The possibility of swift nesting boxes is in hand.
Mercy Ships cannot now visit on 28 March and are now booked in for June.
It is proving difficult to prevent damage to the churchyard by vehicles but the matter is still being attended to
A document management system had now been purchased and options for better and more economic phone systems were being considered PCC members were given the good news that two anonymous donors have come forward to buy a new church laptop – the laptop is now on its way. Members expressed their thanks.
Accounts were considered, expenditure was broadly as expected and there had been a surplus on the accounts although it is likely that expenditure would be higher in 2025.
The Budget was unanimously approved.
Future expansion or refurbishment was considered but no action decided upon other than to take forward the possible refurbishment of the vestry
The fabric log book is now up to date.
The roof alarm is in order
Under Committees
A volunteer is needed to represent the church on the local Bible Society.
Certain safeguarding formalities were discussed and are in hand.
Arrangements for the curate’s accommodation are in hand
The flower arrangers need a brown bin which incurs a small charge. This was unanimously approved.
The PCC members were enthusiastic about the progress being made with the choiristership initiative.
The Church now has a Data Privacy Notice so as to be compliant with GDPR. The policy was unanimously adopted.
The meeting closed with Grace at 9.35.