## _**St Peter’s Fordham Preservation Trust**_ # _**Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday, 9[th] May 2023**_ **PRESENT:** Roger Palmer (Chairman), Diane Catchpole (Secretary), Richard Taylor, Hugh Palmer, Stephen Taylor, and Sally Parr. **APOLOGIES:** Daphne Wilding proxy given to Roger Palmer, Anne Mitchell (Treasurer) proxy given to DCC. DCC explained that she had spoken to Malcolm Barber about him joining the Committee, and he has agreed to observe at a few meetings during the year so that he can make an informed decision. ## **MINUTES OF THE AGM 2022:** These were confirmed by those present to be an accurate record of the meeting and signed accordingly by RP. ## **MATTERS ARISING:** Electric Rewiring & Heating System Replacement RP/DCC reported that they had met John Morgan, Diocese Asst Sec, who has given details of a number of Churches which have already gone through this process. Details have been given to ST who will lead this project. It is likely that we will move to Pew Heaters or Heated Pew Cushions (subject to pews being newer than 1850 – which we believe they are). Bell Tower RP confirmed that the Safety work has been carried out but general improvements are yet to be undertaken. RP also spoke to John Morgan about the possibility of putting a collapsible barrier on the roof to allow the public to look at the views from this imposing vantage point. He was advised to discuss the idea with the Church Insurers to see what their requirements might be as a first step. Quinquennial Report RP reported this was received in June 2022 and that ST has remedied a number of the smaller items and he was thanked for his efforts. Other major items are mentioned elsewhere in this report. **CHAIRMAN’s ANNUAL REPORT:** Since the last AGM, held on 25[th] May 2022, with eight people in attendance, one proxy given and one set of apologies, the Committee has since met four times at Roger Palmer’s home. Rev’d Anna Jones completed her Curacy training during the year and took up her first fully qualified posting, with which we wished her well. Carol Taylor LLM and Mark Walsh LLM have continued to serve the 5 Parishes during the continuing Interregnum. A Quinquennial Survey was undertaken with a report following. This has been discussed by a joint party of CPT and PCC members with priorities and actions being agreed. The more important elements are mentioned below. The Church has for some time been looking to replace its Oil Heating system but due to Covid and other problems this has not yet happened. Unfortunately, the Servicing company for this equipment have now declined to service it due to concerns that it would be too difficult/costly to repair and so since this time we have not used this system. We are meeting with the Diocese to discuss the way forward. Our aim is to combine this replacement with a full update of all electrics to the Church to avoid duplication of effort. The Bell tower work identified by the Bell Ringers has been agreed and will go ahead when they are ready. The Chairman of the CPT will discuss the possibility of access to the roof with appropriate barriers with the Diocese when they visit the Church. A full Graveyard survey has been undertaken and results fed back to the Diocese and Parish Council in order that priorities and actions can be agreed. (Local Authorities, either Parish Council or ECDC, are responsible for closed graveyards not PCC/CPT.) An up to date Fire Risk assessment was needed and this responsibility was handed to the PCC as they have legal liability for this area. It was recommended that an Asbestos survey be undertaken to ensure that all those using/working on the building knew where any hazardous areas might be. This was completed and only two areas were identified both of which are sealed and therefore safe unless disturbed. Anyone working on the building will now be required to sign to say they have had access to the Asbestos survey and will work to its recommendations. A Car Boot stall was held in 2022 and will be held in 2023 to raise funds. There are also plans to hold a fun Dog Show in 2023 for the same purpose. Timothy Clarke opened his Netherhall garden in Spring 2022 and 2023 with teas provided by members of the CPT. It is probable that 2023 will be the last year of the garden being opened and hence this funding source will cease. Finally, the object of the Trust remains to maintain, repair, restore, preserve, improve, beautify, and reconstruct for the benefit of the public the fabric of the Church of St. Peter & St Mary Magdalene, Fordham. During the AGM a discussion took place as to which Graveyards were active when as this information is important for determining which are formally closed or open, and hence who has legal liability for them. It was confirmed that Graveyard 1 and Graveyard 3i were no longer used and believed Closed. However, Graveyard 2 was still in use for prebooked burials as well as cremations with Graveyard 3ii being in current use. SP will look into 1980 and 1981 PCC mins to see if there is a record of any graveyards being formally closed and passed to PCC/LA responsibility. ## **THE TREASURER’S REPORT:** AM tabled a full financial report showing figures as at the 31[st] March 2023. Current Account £8,272.28 Deposit Account £28,823.37 COIF £15,000 COIF (Bell Tower) £15,000 Making a grand total of £67,095.65 RP proposed, and it was unanimously agreed, to accept the Treasurers Report. RP praised AM for her efforts on behalf of the CPT. (ST would like another copy of the Report). It was agreed that the subject of Membership Fees would wait till AM returned at the next meeting. ## **RESIGNATION & ELECTION OF COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS** In accordance with the Rules, three members resigned from the Committee, RP, DCC, AM. They all agreed to be nominated for return to the committee and were accordingly proposed by ST and seconded by HP. They were re-elected unanimously as was SP who officially joined the Committee for the first time. Roger Palmer (Chairman) Diane Catchpole (Secretary) Anne Mitchell (Treasurer) Sally Parr The Incumbent is automatically appointed to the Committee and Stephen Taylor is the PCC appointee. It is believed that an applicant for the post of Incumbent is to be interviewed later this month and we hope for a successful conclusion to our interregnum. ## **ANY OTHER BUSINESS** ST reported that there was woodworm in the cupboard under the stairs and DCC agreed to spray this when other areas are sprayed during May. ST also reported that Anglia Water were going to install a new Stop Cock for the building as one could not be found. This will be in Graveyard 2 next to the water pipe. Once this has been completed ST will arrange for a plumber to fit an internal device so that the upstairs water can be turned off when not in use, thus reducing the likelihood of any frozen pipe problems. RT confirmed that he is working on the idea of a fun Dog Show during September and will be basing much of it on ideas from Snailwell Dog Show. He is hopeful that Angus and SP will help with this event. RP offered his thanks to DCC, AM, and ST for their work on behalf of the CPT. This was unanimously confirmed. ## **DATE OF NEXT AGM** This would be on Tuesday, May 2024, at 7.30pm in the Undercroft. _The next normal meeting will be held on Tuesday, 11[th] July, 7.30pm at RP’s home._ T PEfER' HAM PRE ERVATI NTR EAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202 Membership Fees Donation from Richard Taylor - Car Boot Donations from Timothy Clark - Open Gardens at Netherhall Donations from Car Boot Sale Stsll Bequest L Ramus LPOW - VAT refund Interest Received HMRC- Glft Aid 210.00 500.00 370.00 303.47 31544.00 1676.14 400.30 177.54 35181.45 JW Warren - lighting to Bell Tower Cam Fire - maintain fire equipment George Collln & Sons - steps and handrail Bell Tower Steven Sheldon - malntalnlng walls Aztec maintaln alarm Cambridge Asbestos-asbestos survey 4330.43 54.00 4982.40 160.00 160.80 960.00 10647.63 Surplus for the Year 24533,82 Bank Account Balance at l Aprll 2022 Deposlt Account Balance at l April 2022 COIF Charltles Ethlcal Investment Fund Accumulatlong Untts • 3138.76 29423.07 ioooo.00 42561.83 £ 67095.6S Bank Account Balance at 31 March 2023 Deposlt Account Balance at 31 March 2023 COIF Charities Ethiul Investment Fund Accumulatlons Unlts * COIF Charltles Ethlcal Investment Fund Accumulatloni Unlts -Bell Tower Fund+ 8272.28 28823.37 15000.00 15000.00 £ 67095.65 *4671.81 unlts were purchased on 14111113. *The value at 31 March 2014 was £10159.32 *The value at 31 March 2015 was £11541.71 *The value at 31 March 2016 was £11447.80 *The value at 31 March 2017 was £13679.99 •The value at 31 March 2018 was £14312.56 ¥The value at 31 March 2019 was £15967.78 *The value at 31 March 2020 was £16006.09 *The value at 31 March 2021 was £19833.70 •The value at 31 March 2022 was £22130.36 *The value at 31 March 2023 was £26694.61 *An addltlonal 1076.26 units were purchased on 01/12122 at a cost 01 £5000 giving total of 5748.07 units for a total cost of £15000. +3318.58 units were purchased on 08112122 for the Bell Tower Fund at a cost of £15000. +The value at 31 March 2023 was £15411.82