Hagley Parochial Church Council
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 27 November 2025 at 7.30pm at St Saviour’s.
Opening Prayers: The Rector opened the meeting with prayers.
- Present: Fr Tom Owen, Sue Priest, Margret Tindall, Fiona Taylor, Mark Taylor, Margaret Rankin, Jenny Moulder, Rev Kim Topham, Diane Mottershead, John Gowar, Michael Norris. Apologies: Alan Smith, Barbara Albert, Bob Jones, Wendy Jones, Graham Perkins, Sharon Bryant.
Minutes of the meeting on 25 September 2025: These were approved (2 abstentions) and signed by Fr Tom after an addition of clarification on the Finance section. Proposed by Tom, seconded by Mark.
- Matters arising and AOB: Non Fairtrade products are still being used in the parish. We are still working towards Fairtrade certification. Many positive comments have been received about the memorial tree at St Saviours.
- Finance: The finance documents were circulated prior to the meeting, copy attached, and Mark ran through them. The PCC agreed to pay the Ministry Share in full for 2025 but not send any extra as our finances are running at a deficit. We need to keep funds in reserve for projects that are in the planning stages eg heating, modernisation. Our finances need to align with our mission and vision for the future. We are aware that we need to be better stewards of our money before asking for increased donations. The Ministry Share for 2026 is £71,000 for the benefice. Hagley will pay £49,000 and Clent will pay £22000. The PCC voted unanimously to accept this, proposed by Mark and seconded by Diane.
- Modernisation Project: Tom and Kim met on site with Chris who planned the TV screens at Top church, Dudley and they looked at the proposals for St Leonard’s and St Saviour’s. The PCC understand the necessity of change and adapting to new ways of worship. Chris suggested 2 screens at the front of church with the possibility of adding a further screen in the family area in future. Tom went through some of the points raised at their meeting: St Saviour’s dark walls would work well with coloured lights themed to the style of worship and would add to the atmosphere, appealing to a visual generation (younger). The electricity supply would require improvement to Phase 3. This project would need to take into consideration the requirements of the heating upgrade at St Saviour’s, and if done at the same time possibly reducing costs for the two projects. We are waiting for quotes. This will not be a quick process due to the technical requirements. It is more urgent for Mission to get the TV project underway before the heating. The modernisation project will not compromise the installation of new heating system.
Church Heating Project: The C of E aims to be carbon neutral by 2030, and to this end, replacement oil burning systems are not granted a faculty. There are no grants available currently for installing eco heating systems, nor any help with sourcing suitable alternative replacements. The PCC were shown brochures for an infra red system, which heats people rather than air – the Herschell Halo System. A 3D map has been produced showing where the heaters should be best placed. An initial estimate sheet has been produced – see attached. This is an long term investment, with high initial costs leading to reduced costs in the long term. There are not any other suitable alternatives. This company provide the units and can recommend installers. The installation may be combined with the TV installation to reduce costs.
When the PCC has made a decision and the full facts of both projects are clear, the plans will be shared to all parishioners.
- Outreach: The Outreach group have put forward 4 suggestions for the PCC to consider – see attached. Jenny, Safeguarding officer, will review the recipients and provided there are no adverse reports £1000 will be donated to each. The PCC voted in favour of the suggestions subject to the Safeguarding checks. Proposed by Diane, seconded by John. Update: One of the proposed donations will be discussed at the January meeting.
- Evangelism: Churches Together are having a stall at Hagley Village Christmas evening. Leaflets with details of the Christmas services in Hagley and Alpha leaflets will be on offer along with a Prayer Tree. Fiona will be contacting her contemporaries who have drifted away from church now their children are older, to invite them to a buffet supper to re-establish contact.
- Security: Two quotes have been received for CCTV cameras at St Saviour’s. The cost will be split between the Church Hall and the PCC. Notices will be put up to advise that we have cameras. The PCC are asked to authorise expenditure up to £3700 to purchase cameras and signs. Proposed Fiona, seconded Margret T, unanimously approved.
- Festival and Events:
a) Christmas: There will be a new Order of Service for Advent. Large print version will be available. This OoS will be reviewed by the Accessibility Group when they meet for the first time imminently. (The Accessibility Group consists of Katie, Anah, Natalie, Jenny and Fr Tom). Facebook posts will advertise in the local area groups.
b) 2026 Year of Pilgrimage: A journey of spirituality, discipleship, and physicality. There will be a local pilgrimage on the Clent Hills; a pilgrimage to the Mother Churches in the Diocese; and a Golden Valley Way 4 day pilgrimage (19-23 May); National Pilgrimage to Walsingham looking at the life and work of St Francis of Assisi (October 19-23). These cover a range of prices, duration and accessibility.
c) Remembrance day: 126 adults attended this year. The child focussed sermon had very positive feedback. This was Jon Plant’s last year as RBL coordinator.
- Brief Reports:
a) Eco Church: Notices boards will be set up at each of the three churches. Focus on using Fairtrade products and Eco friendly cleaning products.
b) Hagley Hub: The PCC accepted the 2026 Risk Assessment submitted by Sharon..
c) Social Events Group: 19 attended the recent curry night in Hagley. The maximum of 44 attended the Advent lunch at Hagley Golf Club.
d) Churchwardens: Fiona sent a report which was circulated prior to the meeting. Ex cathedra have requested a date for next year. The FOSJ have agreed to continue with the sponsorship. Michale Norris is resigning as Church warden at St John’s at the APCM in March. John Gowar is resigning as Churchwarden at St Saviour’s at the APCM in March. Fr Tom would like to record that he has been very grateful, as he commenced his ministry in Hagley, for their guidance and sage advice. Tom thanks them for their great support during the vacancy. Jon Bryant has agreed to be Churchwarden at St John’s.
e) Church Hall: A report was circulated prior to the meeting. The PAT testing has been completed on time. The roof tiles damaged by cricket balls at St John’s have been replaced.
- Electoral Roll: 84. (70 living inside the parish and 14 outside the parish).
- Safeguarding: Safeguarding Sunday on 19 November at St Leonard’s morning service. Following the data breach the Diocese will be using an alternative company to process the checks. The PCC will be using the approved Diocese Safeguarding policy for 2025-2026. The PCC approved this unanimously, proposed by Jenny, seconded by Diane
- AOB:
a) Jenny Moulder relicensing as ALM: Proposed by Diane, seconded by Kim, approved unanimously.
b) Children’s, youth and family worker: No suitable applications have been received. The post will be readvertised in 2026. The PCC approved a £1000 budget for advertising. Proposed by Kim, seconded by Mark, passed unanimously.
- Future Dates: Thursday 15 January; Thursday 12 March. AGM 22 March at St John’s.
Chairman............................................................................. 15 January 2026