Annual Vestry Report 2017
Please find below this year's annual vestry report on the life and work of our Rectorial Benefice. This was published and approved at the Annual Vestry Meeting on Wednesday 26 April 2017 at St Luke's Church at 7:30 pm
| annual_vestry_report_2017.pdf |
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) and Mission Working Groups
Summary Minutes of the meeting on 7 July 2015
| pcc_summary_minutes_from_7_july_2015.pdf |
| annual_vestry_meeting_report_for_2015_.pdf |
Each parish and benefice in the Church in Wales has a PCC. In the Benefice of Canton we have a PCC made up of ex officio members and others elected during the Annual Vestry meeting. We also have smaller groups known as DCCs (District Church Councils) which began when the benefice was formed to look specifically at issues relating to individual churches. In 2015 we also initiated four working groups which would look at different aspects of our communities mission and duties to make real God's kingdom in our local area. These working groups have been entrusted to advise the PCC on:
- Young People and Youth Provision - (youth committee)
- Pastoral Care
- Buildings
- Finance
The overall responsibility for our mission as a faith community remains with the PCC.
Parochial Church Councils (from the Constitution of the Church in Wales):
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
BACKGROUNDThe Constitution’s frequent reference to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) indicates its important role in the life of the Parish. The PCC is accountable to the Annual Vestry Meeting, and it is a further requirement of the Constitution that the Incumbent and the PCC consult and co-operate in all matters of concern. The affairs of a Parish are therefore a joint responsibility. The PCC is required to meet at least four times in every year.
It should also be remembered that PCC members are charity trustees and thus have certain responsibilities in charity law (in addition to the requirements of the Constitution). This status is not dependent upon whether or not the parish itself has been required to register with the Charity Commission (see subsection (v), below).
FUNCTIONS
The Constitution of the Church in Wales defines the functions and powers of a PCC. The principal function of the PCC is “promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.” PCC Members, therefore, have significant responsibilities for the local mission of the Church. These shall include:
The PCC’s responsibilities are not limited to the eight areas set out above. Specific mention is made (Chapter IVC section 8(4)) that, with the exception of Special Trusts and the Incumbent’s discretionary fund, parish finance should be under the control of the PCC. The PCC is a channel of communication between the parishioners and the Bishop.
ADMINISTRATION
Rules and Regulations
Subject to the Constitution (see Chapter IVC, Section 12 for more details), the PCC shall make rules for its own procedures.
Declaration:
All lay members before taking office shall sign a standard form showing this declaration:
“I (Christian name and Surname) declare that I am a Communicant over eighteen years of age and that my name is properly entered on the electoral roll of this Parish, that I will faithfully and diligently perform my duties as a Parochial Church Councillor during my year of office, and that I agree to accept and be bound by the Constitution of the Church in Wales.
(Chapter 1VC, Section 11 of the Constitution)“
Membership
The Parochial Church Council has three categories of members (for further details see Chapter IVC, Section 9 of the Constitution):
Appointments
For further details about appointments see Chapter IVC Section 12, and Regulations 11 and 12 of the Constitution. However the main appointments which the PCC can make are as follows:
Check List
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING (DCC)
Parishes with more than one church may find it helpful to have a congregational meeting in each church which may select a Church Committee to deal with matters concerning that particular church. While such committees can improve the efficient running of a parish, it must always be remembered that they cannot replace the authority vested either in the PCC or the Incumbent and churchwardens.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITY
The PCC reports to the Annual Vestry Meeting on all its activities. However, members of the PCC also have legal responsibilities as charity trustees. PCCs have been recognised as charities in England and Wales for many years. The basic responsibilities of PCC members, as charity trustees, have not changed significantly for some time regardless of whether or not the PCC (due to income thresholds) is required to register with the Charity Commission.
In addition to the functions set out in (ii) above, PCC Members are responsible for their local parish’s aims and direction, its mission and vision, finances and the employment of any staff. Trustees must recognise that they have accepted a particular responsibility and are accountable for it. It is therefore imperative that all PCCs have good governance and recognize a duty of prudence. The PCC must:
BACKGROUNDThe Constitution’s frequent reference to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) indicates its important role in the life of the Parish. The PCC is accountable to the Annual Vestry Meeting, and it is a further requirement of the Constitution that the Incumbent and the PCC consult and co-operate in all matters of concern. The affairs of a Parish are therefore a joint responsibility. The PCC is required to meet at least four times in every year.
It should also be remembered that PCC members are charity trustees and thus have certain responsibilities in charity law (in addition to the requirements of the Constitution). This status is not dependent upon whether or not the parish itself has been required to register with the Charity Commission (see subsection (v), below).
FUNCTIONS
The Constitution of the Church in Wales defines the functions and powers of a PCC. The principal function of the PCC is “promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.” PCC Members, therefore, have significant responsibilities for the local mission of the Church. These shall include:
- the promotion of the mission of the Church in the parish;
- consideration of matters concerning the Church in Wales (but not declarations of doctrine);
- propagation and implementation of decisions by the Governing Body, the Representative Body, the Diocesan and the Deanery Conference;
- the preparation of the parochial budget, annual accounts and an annual report;
- providing advice on matters properly referred to it;
- communication with Diocesan and Deanery Conference;
- review and reimbursement of parish expenses incurred by clerics (see also chapter 3 of this Handbook);
- discharge of duties placed on the Council by the Church Fabric Regulations (chapter 2, section 1A of this Handbook).
The PCC’s responsibilities are not limited to the eight areas set out above. Specific mention is made (Chapter IVC section 8(4)) that, with the exception of Special Trusts and the Incumbent’s discretionary fund, parish finance should be under the control of the PCC. The PCC is a channel of communication between the parishioners and the Bishop.
ADMINISTRATION
Rules and Regulations
Subject to the Constitution (see Chapter IVC, Section 12 for more details), the PCC shall make rules for its own procedures.
Declaration:
All lay members before taking office shall sign a standard form showing this declaration:
“I (Christian name and Surname) declare that I am a Communicant over eighteen years of age and that my name is properly entered on the electoral roll of this Parish, that I will faithfully and diligently perform my duties as a Parochial Church Councillor during my year of office, and that I agree to accept and be bound by the Constitution of the Church in Wales.
(Chapter 1VC, Section 11 of the Constitution)“
Membership
The Parochial Church Council has three categories of members (for further details see Chapter IVC, Section 9 of the Constitution):
- ex officio: clerics holding parochial appointment, full time stipendiary lay workers, churchwardens and sub-wardens, if appointed
- elected: lay persons elected at the Annual Vestry Meeting up to such number, to a maximum of twenty five, as the Vestry shall determine
- co-opted: Secretary and Treasurer, if not in the above categories; not exceeding seven lay persons or clerics (other than retired clerics) as determined by the PCC; such licensed readers as the PCC may determine.
Appointments
For further details about appointments see Chapter IVC Section 12, and Regulations 11 and 12 of the Constitution. However the main appointments which the PCC can make are as follows:
- Treasurer (if needed committees including a Finance Committee can be established).
- A Secretary who also serves as Secretary of the Annual Vestry Meeting. The Secretary’s duties will include keeping minutes of PCC and Vestry Meetings and issuing notices regarding Vestry Meetings as referred to in section 3 of this Chapter.
Check List
- Annual appointment of Secretary and Treasurer
- Appoint committees as agreed by the PCC
- Signing of Declaration by all lay members
- Annual Report to Vestry
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING (DCC)
Parishes with more than one church may find it helpful to have a congregational meeting in each church which may select a Church Committee to deal with matters concerning that particular church. While such committees can improve the efficient running of a parish, it must always be remembered that they cannot replace the authority vested either in the PCC or the Incumbent and churchwardens.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITY
The PCC reports to the Annual Vestry Meeting on all its activities. However, members of the PCC also have legal responsibilities as charity trustees. PCCs have been recognised as charities in England and Wales for many years. The basic responsibilities of PCC members, as charity trustees, have not changed significantly for some time regardless of whether or not the PCC (due to income thresholds) is required to register with the Charity Commission.
In addition to the functions set out in (ii) above, PCC Members are responsible for their local parish’s aims and direction, its mission and vision, finances and the employment of any staff. Trustees must recognise that they have accepted a particular responsibility and are accountable for it. It is therefore imperative that all PCCs have good governance and recognize a duty of prudence. The PCC must:
- be clear about its purposes, mission and values, and use them to direct all aspects of its work;
- have adopted structures, policies and procedures which enable it to achieve its mission and aims and meet its objectives efficiently;
- see sound governance as an important part of its stewardship and have the appropriate procedures in place;
- manage and use its resources (including finance, skills, knowledge, experience and assets) to plan and budget effectively, monitored by periodic reviews;
- hold accountability and transparency as key values, recognising that it is accountable to wider constituents. It must communicate effectively, explaining its activities and decisions in an open and transparent way whilst maintaining confidentiality where appropriate;
- be flexible enough to adapt to change appropriately to increase its effectiveness in meeting its core object of promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church;
- act with integrity, and in accordance with its values and keep the parish informed of the PCC’s activities and financial position;
- ensure that the PCC is and will remain solvent which means that charitable funds and assets must be used cautiously and only to further the purposes and interests of the PCC. Trustees have a duty to avoid undertaking activities that might place the PCC’s property, funds, assets or reputation at undue risk.