Our Parish is truly blessed with a dedicated and engaged Parochial Church Council (PCC). Every member actively participates, regularly attending services and committing to the good governance and vibrant life of our church community. Each year, our Churchwardens are appointed at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), and we have a dedicated Safeguarding Officer who ensures the well-being of everyone in our care.
The PCC is composed of our Incumbent, two Churchwardens, a Deanery Synod representative, and nine additional members. This diverse representation, which aligns with our Electoral Roll of 81 members as of December 2023, ensures a broad range of voices contribute to our decisions, all in accordance with Church Regulations.
The PCC typically holds ten meetings annually, expertly chaired by the Incumbent, a Churchwarden, or the Lay Vice-Chair. We're proud of our consistently high member attendance, ranging from 79% to 85%, reflecting the deep commitment of our team. Our representatives also regularly attend Deanery Synod meetings, ensuring our Parish's voice is heard and bringing back important updates to the PCC. Our Treasurer diligently represents the Parish at Parish Share allocation meetings.
To effectively manage the diverse work of our Parish, the PCC operates through several sub-committees, known as "Panels." These panels leverage the skills of both PCC members and other dedicated members of our congregation, ensuring responsibilities are shared and no one person is overburdened. Our current panels include:
Our Parish thrives thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers who manage our administration and paperwork with impressive efficiency. This team includes an administrator, Secretary, Treasurer, and Cashier, alongside others who generously lend their skills. Our record-keeping is meticulous and always up-to-date.
We maintain comprehensive and current policies that are regularly reviewed and updated by the PCC. This includes a robust Child Protection Policy, which is strictly followed, and a detailed Health and Safety Policy. To ensure a safe environment for all, an Accident Book is kept in each Parish building, reviewed at every PCC meeting, with necessary actions promptly taken.
We are committed to transparency and accountability in all our operations. Our Inventory, Log Book, and Terrier are meticulously maintained and presented annually at the Archdeacon's Visitation. Each year, an Annual Report and Accounts are prepared, approved by the PCC, and thoroughly examined at the APCM. Parish Registrars are correctly completed with quarterly returns submitted, and our graveyard plans are diligently kept up-to-date. All fee income is carefully recorded by our Cashier and Treasurer, adhering strictly to our cash handling policy.
While the Ascension Building currently presents challenges, a recent review has identified exciting potential future possibilities for this vital space within our Parish. We also recognise the importance of succession planning for our Lay officers to ensure the continued strength and leadership of our church for years to come.