Parish Council Reports

The parish council approved in principle the publication of the minutes for their meetings on the website. Apologies for the fact that, on the whole, minutes have not been distributed for public consumption. Below, however, we do have the latest minutes from the meeting in May 2024 and we hope that the minutes of more meetings will be published at regular intervals.

The first meeting of the Parish Council took place in the spring of 2018. The two year term of office of some members came to an end in 2020; they had the option of continuing for a further two.

The membership of the parish council is: Colette Peaker (Chairperson), Deacon Andrew Cleary, Maria Eves, Lesley Farrar, Mike Glover, Lindsay Johnston, Josie Kelly, Ann McDonald, Fr John Meehan, Br Eamonn O’Brien, Fr John Southworth, Miriam Thompson,

Parishioners are invited to suggest items for the agendas or to comment on tne minutes of the meetings. Please pass these to Father John Southworth (see Contacts page).

Parish Council: Minutes of the meeting 26th February 2025

Apologies- Andrew Cleary

Mrs Peaker confirmed that Ms Farrar had resigned from the council and it was agreed a card thanking her for all her hard work would be sent out.   

Safeguarding

No updates.

Trees

The tree responsible for the water leak has been removed. There is still a problem with the roots and this will need resolving so the leak and flow of water down the street can be stemmed. Work in terms of the other trees causing an issue is still ongoing.

Chairs

Following on from previous discussion regarding the Parish becoming a community hub, and therefore requiring a sociable space, Mrs Peaker confirmed the furniture suppliers continue to keep her informed when chairs become available.

Bonsall Hall

Fr Southworth confirmed there were no further updates.

Defibrillators

A defib for St Timothy’s is to be purchased as a matter of urgency and training on how to use it arranged. Mrs Peaker is to seek advice from the Oliver King Foundation.

Synod

Mr Glover and Mrs Peaker advised that part of recent synodal discussions focused on the need to look at all Church buildings, some of which are already empty, consider their future usage and viability. There will be further updates in due course.

Pastoral Letter – 15 th /16 th February

The above letter was used as a focus for discussion – Are our Parish Churches welcoming places and do the various ministries reflect the cultures that are present in our parish?

The council discussed the need to examine our consciences and truly reflect on how we could become a more inclusive parish, acknowledging our strengths but also excepting we have work to do as we move forward.

Concluding prayer - read by Mrs Peaker

Time and date of next meeting – Tuesday 25 th March at St Paul’s Church 7pm

Parish Council: Minutes of the meeting 28th January 2025 

Opening Prayer – Mr Cleary – Mark: 3 31-35

 Apologies – None

Safeguarding

Mrs McDonald advised there were no updates.

The role of the Parish Council –

The steering committee confirmed it had met on the 23rd of January to further explore the future role of the Parish council and the changes that could be made to coordinate, encourage and carry out the council’s mission of building a dynamic community characterized by faith. It was suggested that the council was not an administrative body, it’s primary function should be responsibility for the “faith aspect” of our community. Administration therefore may need to become the remit of another group with that group bringing matters to the council as necessary.

Areas that were considered a concern were general communication within the parish and the time taken to implement agreed new initiatives.

The tool kit ‘Reimagining Pastoral Councils’ was distributed to all members and it was agreed that an effective discussion on this documentation and the council’s future role could not be completed within a time driven monthly meeting when other agenda items also needed consideration. A facilitator is therefore to be sought and a full day’s weekend session arranged to discuss the future role of the council in depth.

Trees

Fr Southworth confirmed that an application has been made to the council to remove the tree by the front door that is causing a drainage leak. The leak has been identified as being on the Church side but at present it cannot be accessed because of the tree. This is to be chased up as a matter of urgency by Fr Southworth.

Action Fr Southworth

Bereavement Group

This group continues to make positive progress and four people have attended recently. Br Eamonn confirmed the group is still very much at the experimental stage – seeking to find out from attendees whether their needs are being met.

Synodal matters – our Family of Parishes

Mrs Peaker suggested consideration be given to publishing St Margaret Mary’s mass times in our newsletter. It was agreed the newsletter could easily be tweaked to accommodate this.

Action Mrs Peaker /Fr Southworth

First Aid

Mrs Farrar suggested a notice outlining the location of the defibrillator and wheelchair should be placed on the noticeboard. A defibrillator is to be ordered for St Timothy’s.

Mrs Peaker to attend to the notice

Fr Southworth to order a Defib for St Timothy’s.

Concluding Prayer – all

The meeting concluded at 8.30pm.

Date and time of the next meeting – 25th February 7pm at St Paul’s Church.

Parish Council: Minutes of the meeting 9th OCTOBER 2024 

Opening Prayer – Mr Cleary - Luke 12 39-53

Apologies – Fr John Meehan, Miriam Thompson. 

Review of the Minutes of the previous meeting

The previous minutes (10th of September 2024) were circulated and found to be a true representation of that meeting. 

Safeguarding

Mrs McDonald advised one DBS was now sorted.

Holy Communion/ Reading Protocols

Following on from the discussions at the previous meeting Fr Southworth confirmed he would draw up some general guidelines for both of these ministries.

Action- Fr Southworth

The role of the Parish Council -

It was agreed to dedicate the next meeting to the study of our future remit as a council. The intention is to reconfirm our role in terms of faith matters. Emphasis will be on looking at our brief in the light of the findings/work of the Synodal council and with this in mind Chris Kelly, as one of the Synodal representatives ( alongside Mrs Peaker) will be invited to the meeting. In the meantime, the Steering Committee will meet and feed ideas into the November meeting.

Action - Mrs Peaker contact Mrs Kelly.

Mr Glover to call a meeting of the Steering Committee.

 Trees

Fr Southworth confirmed in March 2018 various trees were listed but these can be pruned if considered to be getting too close to the road/dangerous. Terry Locke/ Fr Southworth are to try again to get some advice via the city council. Regarding the church grounds, some of the bushes have already been pruned and more will be in due course.

Action - Fr Southworth

Bonsall Hall

Following posts on Social media and other comments made within the parish community over the last few weeks, Fr Southworth is to contact the Archdiocese to clarify the current situation with regard to Bonsall.

Action - Fr Southworth

Church Heating

Four firms have been approached to submit tenders for the work. Upon their responses the Archdiocese will make the final decision and the work will commence. Completion of the work is expected to be early December.

Ramp

A quote of £5988.00 plus VaT has been received and accepted from K Darlington and Sons Ltd. Work on both ramps is expected to commence shortly following adjustments being made to comply with Historic Churches requests.

Mass Times St Timothy’s

It has beeng suggested by a parishioner that with winter approaching an adjustment to the timings of the 5.30pm mass may be beneficial to elderly parishioners. Fr Southworth is to place a notice in the newsletter to elicit parishioner’s views about bringing the Mass forward and he will speak on this matter at the 2nd November 5.30 Mass.

Action - Father Southworth

Any Other Business –

Mrs Farrar confirmed the parish Christmas afternoon tea date to be Sunday Ist of December at 2pm. Tickets (£5) will be sold at both churches after next weeks’ masses.

Concluding Prayer - read by Mrs Peaker

The meeting concluded at 8.30pm.

 Date and time of the next meeting – Thursday 28th of November 7pm at St Paul’s Church.