	PCC Jottings - March 2008
	Our Youth Worker, Catie-Anne submitted a report on the work she had been involved in with the young people over the last couple of months. She reported that the Youth Groups were making good progress, with several new members joining recently; that youth worship had restarted and the “Back to the 80’s musical” had made a profit thanks to the good attendance and a contribution from the Stockport Youth Opportunity fund. Catie-Anne also reported on the work she is involved in with pupils from Hazel Grove High School, and the confirmation sessions. As part of a forward planning exercise, the PCC had been issued a month earlier with a book on dealing with change in our lives and we considered the ways that the church could adapt to the forthcoming vacancy and the arrival of a new vicar after Martin has retired. An interesting discussion took place on how we must learn to adapt when we see that many changes can be for the better. Although two-thirds of the churchyard is now closed and will become the responsibility of the Council, the remainder cannot, for legal reasons, be officially closed even though there are no more grave spaces. In a recent meeting with Council officials they expressed an opinion that it was doubtful whether the Council would therefore take on the maintenance of the whole churchyard. The PCC decided to appeal to the Council to exercise their discretion and take over responsibility for the whole and thus rationalise the situation.	The PCC received two reports on the church finances. The first was the approval of the 2007 accounts following completion of the audit, the second was a depressing report on the finances for the current year which forecast a deficit of £31,000 by the year end if giving does not increase and expenditure cannot be curbed. Members heard that the response to the appeal for increased giving, from the talks by Martin Smith on 24th February had so far been disappointing. There had been no net increase as the extra giving had been offset by cancelled standing orders, (due to deaths and people moving away). We have received a quotation of £5,700 for new dual projectors and screens together with monitors for the side aisles. However, in view of the financial situation the PCC agreed only to go ahead with this project if a sponsor could be found. Part of the narthex roof which suffered damage by those who stole the lead and then by those who repaired the flashings, requires urgent repairs. A cost for repairs is being sought together with a price for recent damage to stone work. Martin Johnson
	Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6235

PCC Jottings - March 2008

Our Youth Worker, Catie-Anne submitted a report on the work she had been involved in with the young people over the last couple of months. She reported that the Youth Groups were making good progress, with several new members joining recently; that youth worship had restarted and the “Back to the 80’s musical” had made a profit thanks to the good attendance and a contribution from the Stockport Youth Opportunity fund. Catie-Anne also reported on the work she is involved in with pupils from Hazel Grove High School, and the confirmation sessions.

As part of a forward planning exercise, the PCC had been issued a month earlier with a book on dealing with change in our lives and we considered the ways that the church could adapt to the forthcoming vacancy and the arrival of a new vicar after Martin has retired. An interesting discussion took place on how we must learn to adapt when we see that many changes can be for the better.

Although two-thirds of the churchyard is now closed and will become the responsibility of the Council, the remainder cannot, for legal reasons, be officially closed even though there are no more grave spaces. In a recent meeting with Council officials they expressed an opinion that it was doubtful whether the Council would therefore take on the maintenance of the whole churchyard. The PCC decided to appeal to the Council to exercise their discretion and take over responsibility for the whole and thus rationalise the situation.

The PCC received two reports on the church finances. The first was the approval of the 2007 accounts following completion of the audit, the second was a depressing report on the finances for the current year which forecast a deficit of £31,000 by the year end if giving does not increase and expenditure cannot be curbed.

Members heard that the response to the appeal for increased giving, from the talks by Martin Smith on 24th February had so far been disappointing. There had been no net increase as the extra giving had been offset by cancelled standing orders, (due to deaths and people moving away).

We have received a quotation of £5,700 for new dual projectors and screens together with monitors for the side aisles. However, in view of the financial situation the PCC agreed only to go ahead with this project if a sponsor could be found.

Part of the narthex roof which suffered damage by those who stole the lead and then by those who repaired the flashings, requires urgent repairs. A cost for repairs is being sought together with a price for recent damage to stone work.

Martin Johnson

PCC Jottings - March 2008

Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6235