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.

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.