St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Epsom

Minutes for Parish Pastoral Council

Meeting Wednesday 30^th April ‘03 5^th Meeting

Present: Fr William Davern, Michael Brennan, Carlos De Souza (Paul Killoughery), Selina Hough (Alice Williams), Jan Madden, Margaret Rates, John Sharpe, Chris Sibthorp, Michael Tripp, John Turner and David Walsh,

Apologies from Richard Davieson, Theresa Kenefick and Tony Prince

1.Opening Prayer and Reflection

2.Any other business. A welcome to Oonagh Campbell from the Parish Finance Committee

3Parking and Clamping There is no progress on the issue of parking and clamping in that it seems that adoption of the roads by the local authority is not likely to happen and therefore there remains absolutely no parking at any time on the estate. Clamping remains in force with a release fee of £90. We recognise we are lucky to have the fairly large car park around the Church and the goodwill of the school for occasional use of their playground. It was felt that for the present all that could be done was to continue to liase with the residents and also to ensure that people coming to the church are made aware of the clamping operation. A notice might be put up at the entrance to our car park.

4.Financial Update Oonagh Campbell gave us a very good run down of the parish finances. She presented and went through the financial return for St Joseph’s both for our main Parish Account and for the Church Relocation Account, and related it to last year’s figures.

The Parish accounts show a small deficit. It was noticeable, that the collection figures remained rather static and that whilst many people have completed Gift Aid forms (what used to be covenants) that is of enormous benefit to the Parish Funds, a good proportion of the Sunday collections is still not gift aided. The 300 Club has ceased to function at present and a volunteer to resurrect and run it might be sought in the near future.

The Relocation Account is obviously still in debit as having raised about £800,000 we have about £790,000 left to pay off. However, over £100,000 was raised last year.

The Finance Committee is currently undergoing a partial reformation.

5.Possible PPC Role. The PPC might be able to facilitate and support the work of the finance group by creating targets that would continue to make a steady inroad into the parish debt and an increase in the Parish finances to keep us in the black. Targets could be set in discussion with the Finance Committee. This would highlight the real size of the issue and aid clear planning on a yearly basis. This would give specific tasks for us as a Parish to aim at and allow the PPC to give regular updates on progress. Starting point figures will be available for our next meeting.

We need to consider ways in which we can encourage parishioners and visitors to use Gift Aid forms as a matter of course. Figures will also be available to help judge just what the potential is for gains through increased use of Gift Aid. Other possible ways of raising revenue will also be discussed at the next meeting of the PPC.

6, A Special Note of Thanks. All the PPC felt that Oonagh really deserves a special note of thanks for all the work she does for the Parish week in and week out.

Next meeting: Wednesday 14th^th May 03 at 7.30p.m. in the Fr Chatterton Room

Closing Prayer.