1 **Annual Report and 2022 Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Martin’s, Hereford Part of the Benefice of South Wye, Hereford** 1 ## _**Contents:**_ - 1 - 3 Parish and PCC Information, Membership and Policies - 4,5 Electoral Roll - 6 Churchwardens’ Report - 7, 8 Treasurer’s Report - 9,10 Return of Parish Finance - 11,12 Receipts and Payments - 13,14 Assets and Liabilities - 15-19 Team Rector’s Report - 20 Vestry and APCM Agendas - 21 - 24 Minutes of 2022 Vestry & APCM ## **Parish Information** St. Martin’s Church is situated in Ross Road, Hereford. It is part of the Diocese of Hereford within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Team Office 89 Ross Road, Hereford, HR2 7RJ. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission. St. Martin’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Anne Dowdeswell, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church Centre complex of St. Martin’s, Ross Road, Hereford, and our investment properties. ## **St Martin’s PCC** The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St. Martin’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. In particular, we try to enable the people of 2 South Wye to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus; Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish; Missionary and outreach work. To facilitate this it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St. Martin’s and the Church Centre. ## **Membership** PCC members who have served at any time from 1st January 2022 until the date this report was approved are: Ex Officio: Reverend Anne Dowdeswell Team Rector Reverend Lauren Bell Curate Churchwardens Julia Ware Irene Goodman Deanery Synod Rep Bev Merrett Secretary John Eden Treasurer Gillian Farlow Elected Members Bev Merrett Irene Goodman John Eden Geoff Rawcliffe Gillian Farlow Julia Ware Clive Wilce ## The PCC meet bi-monthly. The Standing Committee has authority to transact business between meetings. ## **Reserves Policy** It is the policy of the PCC to hold a minimum of £10,000 as a General Reserve to cover running costs in the event of a major problem, another £10,000 in a Restricted Building Fund to meet anticipated building maintenance costs and unforeseen repairs, and a further reserve (3 months staff pay) to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and meet emergencies. ## **Church Workers Pension Fund** The Scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in 3 Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pension costs charged to the SoFA in the year are contributions payable by and on behalf of the only eligible member of staff. ## **Safeguarding** The Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, requires all clergy authorised to officiate; other relevant Church Officers (e.g. Church Wardens) and parochial church councils to have “due regard” to safeguarding policy and practice guidance issued by the House of Bishops. A duty to have due regard to guidance means that a person under that duty is not free to disregard it but is required to follow such guidance unless there are cogent reasons for not doing so. The PCC are committed to the Safeguarding policy, guidance and structures of the church of England and Diocese of Hereford. 4 _**Electoral Roll 2022**_ ## _Members of the Electoral Roll during any part of 2022 are:_ - 1 AUER Frances Alexandria Ruth - 2 BAYLISS Brenda Rosemary - 3 BISHOP Ann - 4 CLARKE Elizabeth - 5 COCKROFT Susan Catherine - 6 DAVIES Gwendoline May (JEAN) - 7 DITCHFIELD Margaret Rose - 8 EDEN John - 9 ENGLISH Marion Rose - 10 EVANS Shirley Jane - 11 EVANS Geoffrey WIlliam - 12 FARLOW Gillian Elizabeth - 13 GILBERT Dorothy Zoela - 14 GITTENS Catherine Grace Elizabeth - 15 GITTENS Sarah Joan - 16 GOODMAN Susan - 17 GOODMAN Irene Elizabeth - 18 GWYNNE Caroline Ellen - 19 HAMMETT Sarah Jane - 20 HARDING June Dawn - 21 HARWOOD Pauline Heather - 22 HARWOOD Victor - 23 HEALEY Irene Dorothy - 24 HUGHES Valerie Mary - 25 HYDE Leslie Martin - 26 JONES Dafydd John - 27 JOSEPH Joan - 28 KENNETT-WISE John Duncan - 29 KENNETT-WISE Pamela Jean - 30 LEESON Nora Betty - 31 LEWIS Sarah Louise - 32 LIBBY Ann Josephine - 33 MARSHALL Paul Zee 5 - 34 MASON Doris Jean - 35 MC.CARTHY Claire Deanne - 36 MERRELL Michelle Lynne - 37 MERRITT Beverly Anne - 38 MORRIS Ann Elizabeth - 39 MUSSELL Irene Christabel - 40 NEVILL Jackie - 41 PEMBRIDGE Elizabeth Mary - 42 PRICE Marlene Mary - 43 RANYARD Susan - 44 RAWCLIFFE Deanne Elizabeth - 45 RAWCLIFFE Geoffrey Norman - 46 RICKERS Barbara Joan - 47 RICKERS William Kendall - 48 ROGERS Margaret Doreen - 49 SAUNDERS Beris Pamela - 50 SEYMOUR Janet Ethel - 51 SHARLAND Joan Margaret 52 SHARPE Pamela - 53 SPICER SCOFIELD Andrea Joy - 54 SPICER SCOFIELD Marie Louise - 55 TALBOYS Margaret Edith - 56 TREHERNE Dianne Margaret - 57 WALKINGTON Claire - 58 WARD Gillian Mary - 59 WARE Julia Dawn - 60 WATKINS Debra Georgina - 61 WIGGINS Gaye Clare - 62 WILCE Clive Anthony - 63 WILCE Marion Elsie Jean - 64 WILCE Susan Caroline - 65 WILCOX Sarah - 66 WILLIAMS Heather Elizabeth 67 WOODCOCK Alison 6 ## _**Churchwardens’ Report**_ In Spring 2022 it was good to be back to normal with steady numbers, the eucharist at the altar and the church open all week. Hudson, a member of Chill’n’Church was a great help as he attended the Sunday Services and was willing to lend a hand with the duties. Sue Cockroft had a very successful coffee on 18th June and raised money for St Martins. Julia and Irene attended the Churchwardens’ Visitation at St Peter’s Church on 21st June and found it a very meaningful service. In September Chill’n’Church members began taking part in Services and at the Pet Service they were very useful in keeping the animals in order. On 22nd September a number attended a First Aid Course arranged by David Bland. Thirty people came to the church to watch the Queen’s Funeral together. In November the hall opened again and thanks are due to those who sorted out the cupboards, washed crockery and cutlery and got everything ready for the various activities. The Uniformed Organisations attended the service on Remembrance Sunday and we had the usual Act of Remembrance in the Churchyard. This was very well attended. As Pre-School Praise was only attended by one family and this spasmodically it was decided to discontinue. At Christmas we had a successful Fair and Draw and once again Chill’n’Church members helped. In January 2023 we had a Jumble Sale to raise money towards the new Hall Boiler. On 5th March we met Barry Stevens who began his work as Chaplain at the Hereford Academy. We were delighted with the SIAMS report for the Academy and that the part played by St Martins was noted for its impact. Chill’n’Church prepared and led their own service and we hope this will be the first of many. 7 There was a lunch at the Bishop’s Palace to mark the end of the Intergenerational Missioner Project and they shared ideas and various activities they had led. Fortunately David has now a new role as Community Pastor and is continuing Monday Meals, Food Share and Messy Church. He is also involved in helping those in the Three Counties Hotel. Bible Studies continue on Tuesdays from 1-2 o’clock followed by Coffee Time, and then at 3.30 the Narthex becomes a ‘Warm Space’ and toasted sandwiches are served. The Hall has now got a new boiler and water heater. Thank you to all who help in any way at St Martins and thank you for your faithfulness in attending. _Julia Ware Irene Goodman Churchwardens_ ## _**Treasurers Report**_ We started 2022 with such optimism. Just as we began to ease back into our pre-pandemic activities we had “the fire” which overshadowed everything else last year. The Parish Hall was closed until October whilst remedial works were undertaken; uninsured losses of over £20,000 were incurred due to a change in Fire Regulations. Luckily, we had £20,000 in Property Reserves to cover most of these extra costs. Now we must factor the cost of a new hall boiler (£12,500) into 2023 costings. There was a surplus of £11,060 for the year, down from £43,408 in 2021. When we factor in the £28,000 in FoodShare Grant funding to be spent within the year this turns into a loss of nearly £17,000. Having spent over £20,000 on fire related costs this is not surprising. Income: Receipts for the year were virtually the same as 2021. Planned Giving was down by £1,000. Other Voluntary Receipts were up by £6,500 largely due to small FoodShare Grants. 8 Activities for Generating Funds were down by £7,000: Gift Day down £1,100, Fundraising down by £820, Parish Hall hires down by £2,400. Both Fundraising and Hall hire had already been decimated compared to prepandemic levels. We received a Grant of £1,200 from the Diocese towards the cost of heating this winter. A Bonus Ball surplus of £1,300 augmented PCC funds in 2022 largely thanks to Sue Cockroft and her patient record keeping and gentle reminders. Thank you Sue. ## Payments: We increased our Parish Offer in 2022 to £20,000 compared to £16,000 in 2021. Church Running Expenses were up by £5,000 due to FoodShare Grants received and spent. The Hall Maintenance costs were up by £3,000 mainly due to incidental fire related costs. Church Gas costs doubled from the previous year when we were under lockdown. Extra costs were incurred upgrading Flat 3 during the 3 month period when it was unoccupied during a changeover of tenancy. We also received no income for the 3 months it was unoccupied. The growth in our FoodShare activities is undoubtably a wonderful thing and has increased the St Martin’s profile and has been of great benefit to the South Wye community. Thanks also to Pam Sharpe and Heather Williams for organising and distributing Draw tickets. Thank you also to Jackie Nevill and her team for the ever-popular Christmas Fair. As long as we continue with our fundraising efforts and have no more major catastrophes I am hoping our finances will remain stable throughout 2023. Finally, thank you for your continuing support and encouragement throughout the year. It has been very challenging and I really appreciate your kindness. _Gillian Farlow Treasurer_ Return of Parish Finance Parish ref . 180075 Parish Hereford: St Martin January to December 2022 INCOMING RESOURCES UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED 01 Tax efficient planned giving 17716 03 Collections at services All other giving and voluntary receipts, includlng speci81 appeals (recurring and on&off) GSft Ald recovered 2885 04 4050 2402 06 5706 07 Legacies received {¢apilal value} Grants (include re¢urrfng one-offj 08 18589 19400 48947 21802 09 Gross income from fundraising activities 6090 Dividends, interest, income from property elc 32796 313 statutory fees retained by the PCC (weddings, funerals etcl Gross income from trading le.g. hall lettings, rnagazine. bookstslll. NOT fundraising, 20378 5938 12 70 Other Incoming resources I receipts not already listed Unrestrlcted 114149 22185 Restrictod TOTAL 136334 14 Number of tsx efficient planned givers 24 16 Number of new legacies reCe￿ved Your diocese can supply notes to explain what each section is. These are consistent with the guidanG8 provided in PCC accountability, 2017. Contact {Phone o Looklng back across 2022, were ther8 any exceptional Circumstances or significant chani A fire in the Parish Hall re5ulled in closure of the Hall for most of 2022. Due to changes in Fire Regulations i cost of £13,000, One member of stsff is enrolled in the CWPF Pension Builder Scheme. Due lo reductions in working hours s been depreciated by 25D/o in line wth PCC policy.The Foodshare Current Account includes £26,000 Project S If this fom is NOT eompleted on behalf of the entire parish, please list below the Churches included. Deanery . Hereford 618075Hgreford: St Martln Diocese Hereford RESOURCES EXPENDED UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED 17 Fund-raising aclivitles (costs and paymenlsl 976 Mlssion giving and donations Diocesan parish share contribution Salaries, wage$ and honoraria Clergy and stsff expenses 47 82 19 20000 20 17513 8030 21 75 22 Church expenses.. Mlssion and evangelism costs Church running expenses Church utility bills Costs of trading 10897 23 24668 50 24 2753 25 20009 27 Mejor repairs to the Ghur¢h builéing Major repairs to the Ghurch hall or other PCC propety.1n¢luding redecofalion 28 378 20000 New building work lo the church. church hall, clergy housing or any other PCC propety 86d17 38859 99 Other outgoing resources I payments Unrèstrlctfrd R08trl¢t•d TOTAL 88416 38858 125274 31 Cash and deposll balance as at 31 $1 De¢ember Investments as al 31 sl December 33180 60585 32 30 RECEIPTSAND PAYMENTS ACCRUALS Date 06 Mar 2023 Name GILLIAN FARLOW Position HON TREASURER )r E-mail) Iges that may have led to unusual figures? Please provlde detslls In the box below. we in¢urred unlnsured 105s85 of £22,000 wiping out Reserves. The Hall boiler now requires replacemenr at 8 further Jlnce the COVID reslridions, the overpayment of contributions resulted in a small refund. The Foodshare van has 5pe¢ific Grand fundlng lo be spent in 2023. Our Charity Commlssion Registration Number is .1179658. 11 ) (O fo Ln u> o m fD ui oo o (o u> fo ¢D UJ c4 0 o o N e4 (0 (N ts ro J ID uj Ln u) o o) (O Cq Ln fo *0 st Martin with St Francis PCC Statement of Assèts and Liabillties (by cod•l As aL. 31 Decembèr 2022 o ro￿ go ￿0 c*0 (0 <15 (0 (O (o o 10 o (D (u ¢DZl IOD tou rD< 14 Q CL c 15 ## _**Team Rector’s Report on 2022**_ In many ways, 2022 was the year of the fire! An overheating extractor fan started a fire in the void above the toilet ceiling. Mercifully the smoke detectors and fire alarms all worked and the residents in the flats evacuated safely. The remedial works were covered by our insurance, but unfortunately the cost of bringing our fire protection up to 2022 standards were not. The hall was out of use for much of the year as the works continued and the impact on our financial situation was considerable. We are grateful to everyone who worked on the hall, especially to Marlene, Rodney and Mick who worked so hard to enable us to reopen. ## _**Mission and Community**_ _Foodshare and Meals_ Under David Bland’s leadership the Foodshare programme continues to develop and success with a number of grant applications has supported the work and enabled the parish to employ David as Community Pastor at the end of 2022 as the IM project drew to a close. A regular pattern of weekly sessions, at the Scout Hut and St Martin’s on a Monday and at Belmont Community Centre on a Friday is augmented by the ‘as and when’ table at St Martin’s which is stocked whenever there is produce available and the Community Fridge at Saxon Hall which is used for very short dated items . The chiller van enables the safe storage and distribution of more produce. We have also returned to offering hot meals on a Monday in the Hall, open to a wider group than the previous ‘meals for the homeless’ model and proving very welcome during the cost of living crisis. We have also registered as a ‘Warm Space’ and provided a range of extra sessions including cooking classes and pop up foodshares to meet local needs in tough financial times. _Community Engagement_ Riverside Primary School were able to come to St Martins to explore Baptism and think about what Christians believe and Lauren has become a governor at Riverside. Anne remains a governor at the Hereford Academy and has also joined the governing body of Blackmarston School. _Chill’n’Church_ Our youth group Chill ‘n’ Church has continued to meet weekly during term time and has steadily maintained and increased its student numbers, with now around 40 teenagers being registered with us. We continue to focus our games, crafts, and activities on the coming Sunday’s lectionary although we do allow for other themes to be incorporated throughout the year. 16 Food and snacks are always appreciated by the group and it has been particularly wonderful to celebrate so many of their birthdays with them. The teenagers have grown to have a strong commitment to the youth group and confidently identify St. Martin’s as being their church. In the summer we were able to host a lovely BBQ for Chill ‘n’ Church members and some of their family that could attend, the teenagers also enjoyed climbing up to and learning about the organ that evening, and we were greatly thankful to John Eden for doing this with them. We were also extremely grateful for Sue Cockroft joining us as a core team volunteer and the teenagers really love her help and creativity too. Some Chill ‘n’ Church members also began to help out at other church events, such as the pet service and Christmas fayre, alongside helping with our Sunday morning worship as altar servers. During each week’s youth group session we also continue to hold our daily night prayer service live on Facebook which the teenagers continue to join – and they often log in through the week too. The youth group has expressed enthusiasm for organizing some fundraising events to help towards ongoing costs and potential trips for Chill ‘n’ Church members. _School Chaplaincy_ Lauren maintained the Chaplaincy presence in the Hereford Academy through the year, running two lunchtime sessions each week and linking with Chill’n’Church. A Deanery based funding proposal enabled the parish to work towards recruiting and employing Barry Stevens as Chaplain from the beginning of 2023. As whole school collective worship resumed, Lauren and Anne regularly attended on Friday afternoons. _After School Club at St Martin’s School_ Bible Club, a joint programme with Putson Baptist Church, continues to be very popular. Each week the children explore a Bible story through games and crafts. Great thanks are due to the volunteers who regularly support this group. _Young at Heart_ This friendship group has continued to meet twice monthly, once to enjoy a pub lunch together and with one meeting for games, talks and entertainment. _Tuesday Coffee_ The Tuesday afternoon coffee group meets each week and provides an important time of fellowship for members and visitors. 17 _Newsletter_ The weekly newsletter is distributed to over 120 email addresses and 50 copies are delivered by hand or posted. It has enabled us to keep in touch with ‘life events’ families as well as more established members of our church family. Thank you to those who deliver newsletters each week. ## _**Safeguarding**_ Through the year Bev Merritt has worked incredibly hard as our Safeguarding Officer. Risk Assessments, safer recruitment and training at different levels for those involved with different areas of work have all been put in place and we are hugely grateful for all of Bev’s hard work. ## _**Services and Liturgy**_ _Sunday Services_ Sunday congregations remain below pre-lockdown levels but are gradually increasing. During 2022 we were able to develop a team of young servers as Cain, Dan and Hudson all offered their time on a Sunday morning. We are hoping that others may join them from the congregation and from Chill n Church and also that we may be able to find better robes for them. _Regular Services_ The fortnightly communion service at Belmont Community Centre has become established. Holding the service outside often enables people to participate who would not otherwise. Thursday morning Communion at St Martin’s has a very small but faithful regular congregation. _Messy Church_ Through the year Messy Church has returned to something approaching pre-lockdown in style and the community of families that attend regularly are really forming into a congregation. During the summer a series of Messy church walks and picnics were very popular. A group from the Messy Church team attended the International Messy Church conference in Swanwick, which offered lots of inspiration and enthusiasm. _Seasonal Services_ Easter services were the first for 3 years where we were able to sing in Church and it was lovely to be able to welcome people to a complete set of services for the Triduum. The All Age Harvest Festival was well attended and it was great to welcome the uniformed organisations back again. At Francistide several members of Chill’n’church joined the congregation (two and four legged) for the Pet Service. 18 Our Act of Remembrance on after the main service on Remembrance Sunday, as well as the services at the War Memorial and in the churchyard on the 11th were very well attended once again. This year we inaugurated the new garden of remembrance for SAS veterans and 4 sets of ashes were interred in November. At Christmas we enjoyed Carols at the Scout Hut and Belmont Community Centre as well as at St Martin’s. The Crib service was well attended and ‘midnight’ mass at 8pm seemed to suit a lot of people. _Special Occasions_ Lauren was priested at Petertide and it was lovely that members of the congregation were able to join us in the Cathedral this year. On the 3rd July she presided at the Eucharist for the first time at a lovely and well attended joint service for the Benefice at St Peter’s Bullinghope which was followed by a fabulous picnic. St Martin’s also hosted a joint service when Bishop Richard preached and presided on the 4th September. Two national services, the service of thanksgiving for the Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen and, at the end of the year her funeral service, were shown on a large screen in St Martin’s with refreshments afterwards. People were glad to be able to join together to mark these two important although very different occasions. 2022 was the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict and this was marked at St martin’s by a number of events and services including a service of Thanksgiving, to which we welcomed family members bereaved by the conflict, veterans and their families, the Lord Lieutenant and a representative of the Falklands Islands government. We also welcomed a number of veterans groups to services through the year including the South Atlantic Medal association and the Welsh Guards. ## _**Prayer and Spirituality**_ Night Prayer online continues to draw a congregation of more established and newer members of the church. A Bible study group on Tuesday lunchtimes in St Martin’s has become well established. 19 ## _**Events and Fundraising**_ The loss of the hall affected many of our fundraising activities. The Spring Fair was replaced by an Easter grand draw this year although we were able to return for the Christmas Fair, planned and organised by Jackie Nevill. We ran another gift day in August. Both Gillian Farlow and Sue Cockroft hosted coffee morning fundraisers and we are very grateful to them for their help with this as well as with the bonus ball and other regular fundraising efforts. ## _**Hall Use and Users**_ Echo, who had been longterm hirers of the ‘classroom’ restructured their organisation and no longer needed to meet at St Martin’s. As the team was evolving we took the opportunity to create a ministry team office and to reorganise the ‘choir vestry’ for hire as a meeting room, which has worked well so far. ## _**Loss**_ During the year we were saddened by the deaths Geoff “Gus” Edwards, a stalwart of Scouting and Propus locally, Beris Saunders, a friend and faithful member of our churches for many years and of Sandra Ling a more recent member of our church family. We continue to keep their families in our prayers. I would like to extend my personal thanks to everyone whose hard work enabled the ministry of the parish to grow this year. Christine and Sharron in the office, who provide so much pastoral as well as administrative support, Lauren whose priestly ministry has been so important, especially to the wedding couples, baptism families and funeral families to whom she ministers with such care, Jackie Nevill for her priestly and organisational skills and gifts which are so important to the benefice, David Bland for his continued work with FoodShare and outreach, Julia Ware and Irene Goodman whose work as Churchwardens is so vital to the life of the Church community, Gillian who has kept us financially secure through such a challenging year, John Eden who serves the parish both as a gifted Musical Director and as secretary to the PCC, all the members of the PCC, the congregations and the wider church family. Thank you all for your support and prayers. _Anne Dowdeswell Team Rector_ 20 # **APCM for Calendar Year 2021 St Martin’s, Ross Road, Hereford Sunday 8th May 2022** ## **Vestry Meeting Agenda** Prayers Minutes of Previous Meeting Election of Wardens ## **APCM Agenda** Minutes of previous meeting Treasurer’s Report Churchwardens’ and Fabric Report Incumbent’s Report Electoral Roll included in Annual Report included in Annual Report included in Annual Report included in Annual Report Election of PCC members Sidesmen and Women Deanery Synod Representation Safeguarding Officer Appointment of External Examiner A.O.B 21 ## **Parish of S Martin, South Wye, Hereford Minutes of EASTER VESTRY held on Sunday May 8th 2022,10.45am, in church following the Parish Eucharist** **Present : Revv Anne Dowdeswell, Lauren Bell: Irene Goodman, Jackie Nevill, Julia Ware, Ann Bishop, Jean Mason, Janet Seymour, Susan Goodman, Pam Sharpe, Bev Merritt, Heather Williams, D J Jones, Marlene Price, Joan Joseph, June Harding, Geoff Rawcliffe, Deanne Rawcliffe, Sue Cockroft, Julia Ware, Gillian Farlow, Clive Wilce, Marion Wilce, Gaye Wiggins, Jean Davies.** **Apologies: John Eden** **The Meeting opened with prayer.** **The Minutes of the meeting held on Sunday 25th October 2021 at St Martin’s Church were approved.** ## **Election of Churchwardens** There were two nominations - **Irene Goodman** and **Julia Ware** , both consented to their nomination and continuation in office. The meeting **APPROVED** the election of Irene and Julia. AD thanked the wardens for the work they had done and continue to maintain parish and church life through the current COVID pandemic. Support regarding the reopening of the church to public worship was particularly appreciated. The APCM for the Parish of S Martin, South Wye, Hereford followed immediately **Minutes of ANNUAL PAROCHIAL MEETING for the Parish of S Martin, South Wye held on Sunday May 8th 2022, immediately following the Easter Vestry meeting. Present : Revv Anne Dowdeswell, Lauren Bell: Irene Goodman, Jackie Nevill, Julia Ware, Ann Bishop, Jean Mason, Janet Seymour, Susan Goodman, Pam Sharpe, Bev Merritt, Heather Williams, D J Jones, Marlene Price, Joan Joseph, June Harding, Geoff Rawcliffe, Deanne Rawcliffe, Sue Cockroft, Julia Ware, Gillian Farlow, Clive Wilce, Marion Wilce, Gaye Wiggins, Jean Davies.** **Apologies: John Eden** 22 **1.** The Rector opened the APCM, and the minutes of the meeting held on Monday May 10th 2021 were **APPROVED** and signed. Proposed: **Irene Goodman** Seconded: **Clive Wilce.** All in favour. The Rector referred to the complete document, circulated in advance of the meeting, containing the Rector’s Report, the Financial Report, including the Return of Parish Finance and the Independent Examiner’s Report, and the Churchwardens’ Report. ## **2. Treasurer’s Report (pages 6 & 7 of Annual Report)** Gillian Farlow referred to her report, which showed St Martin’s was in good financial position, having secured a number of grants from Herefordshire Council related to the COVID situation, and securing a number of savings related to ongoing expenditure. Gillian F thanked everyone in the parish for their support, both financial, and practical. We had built up sizeable reserves, and reported a healthy surplus to end of 2021 (£43000 - which included legacies) however, the ‘rainy day fund’ was now likely to be heavily drawn upon, following the Hall fire and associated uninsured losses. We also received £10k for the purchase and operation of a refrigerated vehicle to use in connection with FoodShare. The PCC had reduced its ‘Parish Offer’ during the COVID crisis, as trading was non-existent and income through services, events and fees were very much reduced. The Christmas Fayre, and the Bonus Ball scheme have been very useful sources of revenue, and continue to be so. AD thanked Gillian for her hard work and perseverance throughout a very challenging period, and asked that the meeting : - (a) Accept the Accounts (previously approved by the PCC) (b) Note the Return of Parish Finance, to be submitted to the Diocese Outcome : **Accepted,** with no objections. The meeting applauded GF’s efforts. **3. Churchwardens’ Report** Irene Goodman referred to, and read the Churchwardens’ Report as it appears on page 5 of the reports document. Outcome: **Accepted,** no objections. AD thanked the Churchwardens for their help, support and commitment over the last year. **4. Rector’s Report** AD referred to her report, contained in the document previously circulated, page 15-19, and expressed thanks to those who worked 23 towards re-establishing clubs, activities and meeting as well as services, following the easing of restrictions. Precautions are still in place, especially around distribution of communion and movement within the building. Sue Goodman commented on Jo Child’s leaving the Parish, where she had been well liked and was much missed. AD said that in a forthcoming Magazine, there would be a thank you note from Jo, which she has recently sent. AD commented that Jo’s valedictory collection had been given to the St Martin’s FoodShare project, as requested by her. **5. Electoral Roll** The latest Electoral Roll is available and data submitted to the Diocese as part of the Annual Return. The number on roll is currently 69. **6. Election of PCC** The following had valid and complete nomination forms submitted prior to the APCM: John Eden, Gillian Farlow, Irene Goodman, Geoff Rawcliffe, Julia Ware, Bev Merritt, Clive Wilce It was proposed by **Sue Cockroft** and seconded by **Deanne Rawcliffe** that all nominees be elected ‘en bloc’ to serve for a further year. Outcome: **All elected, all agreed, no abstentions** . **7. Sidesmen/women** : This parish does not elect to this role **8. Deanery Synod Representative** : Bev Merritt is content to continue, subject to the consent of the meeting. Outcome : **All in favour/agreed** **9. Child Protection Representative (actually Child and Vulnerable Persons Officer)** Bev Merritt has taken up the role and been trained at Diocesan Levels. (assumed role January 2022, upon retirement from her employment.) The meeting **approved** Bev Merritt continuing as CVPO for 2022/23. **10. External Examiner** Jane Hicks, a Public Sector Accountant, has undertaken the Independent Examination of Accounts for 2021, and is content to continue for a further year. She had received a fee and donated 50% back to the Parish. The Meeting agreed to send flowers to thank Jane for her work and generosity. All **agreed** for her appointment for 2022. **11. Any other business** There being none… Meeting closed with prayer at 11.25am