Synopsis of the Minutes of the meeting of the PCC held in Royston Parish Church,

PCC Meeting Synopsis – 11 May 2026

A meeting of the PCC was held in Royston Parish Church, on Monday 11 May 2026 at 7.00 p.m.

There were 13 members present, the meeting was opened with prayer.

There were 6 apologies from those unable to attend.

The minutes of the meetings of the previous meeting were approved.

Matters Arising

It had been agreed (by drawing lots) which of the new PCC members would serve for two years rather than three.

The date of the planned PCC meeting for January 27 needed to be changed, this was quickly agreed.

The PCC was to receive a visit from an expert on Solar panels.

Record of decisions taken by the Standing Committee of the PCC, A locksmith had been engaged to repair a lock, the expense was ratified.

Finance

The PCC agreed to support the Holiday club with a £50 donation per session and the parents craft night in early December.

To encourage Christian stewardship It was agreed that the stewardship leaflets (and the church history leaflet) should be permanently displayed at the entrance to the church.

The electricity expenditure was discussed and turning the outside lights off at night is to be considered.

The possible revision of fees for bell ringing is to be considered in the near future.

Committees

Events

It was agreed that a fee should be introduced to cover the electricity and other resources used up by outside caterers providing refreshments after funerals. Those responsible were thanked for all their hard work on the book fayre.

Outreach

An addition to the church’s audio visual technology was discussed, It was agreed that more detail was needed for further consideration.

Sustainable Living

There is some concern about how well the magazine is read online, this is to be investigated.

Fabric

A worn and deteriorated gravestone is of concern, this is in hand.

Interviews for church architect and in hand.

Information Systems

A new IT system is being considered and the PCC asked for more details prior to making a decision.

Safeguarding

The lone-working policy will be circulated shortly.

Prince Andrew’s Close (The Curate’s House)

Renaming Prince Andrew’s Close has been suggested, it was confirmed that the PCC would respect the decision without expressing any detailed opinion.

The meeting closed with Grace at 9.00pm.

Synopsis of the minutes of the meeting of the PCC held in Royston Parish Church

Tuesday 7 April 2026 at 7.00 p.m.

There were 14 present, the meeting was chaired by the vicar.

Being the first meeting since the APCM the vicar welcomed new members and referred to those attending in a different capacity.

The meeting was opened in prayer.

There were 6 apologies.

The minutes of the meetings of 2 March and 22 March were approved.

The proposed dates of PCC meetings were circulated.

The standing committee had taken action concerning a technology issue, its action was ratified.

There is a potential issue with the boundary, this is receiving attention.

1. Development Project (including the development of the vestry)

It was noted that the Fabric Committee had prepared a paper on development opportunities, with the aim of better accommodating Junior Church. It was intended to make a submission to grant-making bodies. It had earlier been agreed by the PCC that complete refurbishment of the vestry was a high priority, but, beyond that, a small number of possibilities are being considered.

There was further discussion about the continuing use of the vestry for Junior Church. The PCC was informed that the junior church leaders can currently cope, but that there were problems with using a space shared by so many people and that some people had indicated that they would have helped with Junior Church, but were prevented from doing so by accessibility issues, this is undergoing consideration by the fabric committee who will report again.

There was no financial report.

Other Committee Reports

a) Sustainable Living Committee

The Sustainable Living committee informed the PCC that the Energy Audit had now been completed, making a number of recommendations, notably for secondary glazing in the vestry.

She also noted that in 15 years the gas boiler would be at the end of its life. This would need to be replaced by a heat pump, at a cost of £160,000 at today’s prices.

The PCC agreed to ask the Finance Committee to consider the detail of how to build up a suitable reserve fund.

It was also agreed that solar panels should be an agenda item for a subsequent PCC meeting.

There were no questions on the committee’s Environment Policy, which was unanimously adopted.

b) Fabric Committee

The Fabric Committee reported that:

• two flickering lights over the desk in the vestry needed to be replaced.

• a flickering light in the small toilet needed to be replaced.

• emergency lighting for the stairwell to the upper room needed to be installed.

The replacement lighting would cost a total of £450 + VAT, whilst the new lighting would cost £500 + VAT. This expenditure was approved.

In the longer term we would be moving towards lighting that we could replace ourselves in both the kitchen and the vestry.

c) HR Committee

The HR committee suggested that the Safeguarding Officer should be added to the committee, joining the Vicar, one Warden and the Treasurer. This was agreed.

The safeguarding officers would be attending training at St Albans in the near future.

They would be formulating a lone working policy.

The church was pleased to receive the bell ringers’ annual report. It was agreed that the report should be amended so that it did not mention individuals by name.

One of the pianos in church is on loan and may be returned, in this case, it was agreed that a replacement should be purchased.

It was also noted that the church had recently received a legacy to cover the cost of a grand piano which is being considered.

The meeting closed with Grace.

ROYSTON PARISH CHURCH
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC)
Synopsis of the Minutes of the meeting of the Parochial Church Council of Royston Parish Church
held in the church on Monday 2 March 2026 at 7.00 p.m.
There were 19 present.
The meeting was opened in prayer.
There was 1 apology for absence
The minutes of the meeting of 24 January 2026 were approved with no amendments
Under matters arising is was noted that the new policy for flowers in church was very much along the
lines of the one that had now been recommended by General Synod.
There had been one use of the new Vicar’s Discretionary Fund.
The standing committee had not taken any decisions since the last meeting
The Annual Report for 2025 was approved and signed.
the church Logbook had been updated and was available to be viewed in the vestry. The Terrier
would be available before the APCM.
The PCC was advised that some members of the congregation had enquired about mixed recycling
(ie plastic, glass & foil) the charge for proceeding with this would increase our overall cost from £400
per annum to £520 per annum this was approved in line with the Church’s sustainable living policy.
The Deanery Synod report was received
Following a suggestion from the events committee The decision was taken to purchase more
crockery.
The fabric committee reported that:
The PAT test had now taken place, with all appliances passing.
A quotation is being obtained for an organ light and an electric candle for the aumbry.
The flickering lights in the vestry and in the toilet are due to be repaired.
The PCC approved the annual professional carpet clean in the sanctuary
Following the safeguarding report The updated Lone Working & Personal Safety documents were
accepted by the PCC. and agreed that a risk assessment for lone home visits should be drafted.
Other policies were discussed and all is in hand
The PCC was pleased to hear that a candidate for the post of Minister of Music is due to be
interviewed, the financial implications were discussed and easily agreed on
Those present gave thanks for the service of members who will be standing down with effect from
the APCM and the meeting closed with Grace at 8.25pm.

A synopsis of the minutes of the PCC meeting held in Royston Parish Church,
Saturday 24 January 2026 at 2.00 p.m.
There were 14 present, The meeting, chaired by the vicar, was opened with prayer.
There were 7 apologies
The minutes of the previous meeting (24th November 2025) were approved.
Matters arising
An environmental audit had taken place. The report should arrive by the end of February and would then be considered by the Sustainable Living Committee or main PCC.
The Fabric Committee hoped to have interviews with potential architects soon.
Maintenance work is in hand including the monitoring of the fire alarm system.
The Church is now using two-factor computer log-in as recommended
The Standing Committee had authorised £498 expenditure on a Howe Dolley.
A large part of the meeting was spent discussing the church finances, a full report will be available at the APCM, generally finances are doing well, although we can’t afford to be complacent. It is hoped that the refurbishment of the vestry will commence this year. It was noted that the chapel in the additional burial ground may need some repairs, the fabric committee will look into this and make a site visit.
There was also discussion on the fees paid to readers and self-supporting ministers.
The Budget for 2026 was agreed.
The Fabric Committee reported that the upper vestry room had been cleared and was now in use. a quote for for a new fire exit sign for the stairway had been obtained, but an adhesive fluorescent sign at minimal cost had proved adequate.
PAT testing is in hand and will take place in the next few days.
Quotations are to be sought for a new spotlight above the organ and for an electric aumbry candle.
The church had received a donation of a new thurible.
A yew tree is now touching the church wall and needs attention, this is in hand.
A proposal was considered for an external power switch, with a mini-meter and an inside switch. It could be used for Remembrance Sunday and other outdoor events, thereby reducing the need for environmentally harmful
diesel generators. PCC members supported this in principle and asked the Fabric Committee to consider this.
Elections to the Deanery Synod are taking place this year.
The Events committee asked for approval to purchase more mugs, this was approved.
All safeguarding procedures are in hand.
1. Safeguarding
Steven said that he had ascertained that Home Communion or any visiting that included children or vulnerable adults was defined as a church activity and would therefore need a risk assessment.
He also reported that the safeguarding officer had said that she would be standing down Officer a well known church member has confirmed that they was prepared to take over and another has. This arrangement was put to the meeting, with all members being content. Therefore, Vaughan West was appointed as the Parish Safeguarding Officer and Yvonne Dyer as the Assistant Parish Safeguarding Officer with effect from 22 March 2026.
There was a discussion concerning PCC members’ role in safeguarding. Steven said that we were all responsible for ensuring that proper safeguarding standards were in place, as we as trustees set up activities for children and vulnerable adults as well as ensure that the people who run these are suitable for the role and receive the appropriate training.
It was recognised that the flower arrangers are making increased use of silk flowers.
The Vicar’s discretionary fund was discussed and agreed.
The meeting closed with Grace.