| ATTENDEES: | Scott Bryden, Marilyn Dean (chair), Jimmy Ogunshakin and Andrew Torbet |
| IN ATTENDENCE: | Helen Torbet (secretary) |
| APOLOGIES: | none |
The meeting began at 7.20pm and opened with a prayer.
| Topic | Action | |
| 1. | Approval of Previous Minutes | |
| Minutes from the meetings held on 6th April 2006 were approved and duly signed by the Chair. | ||
| 2. | Matters Arising | |
| New Office location - In consideration of the increasing rental charges being paid on the office space, it was agreed that alternatives were needed. Suggestions included: buying a property for multi-purpose functions (this would make use of current savings); cheaper office rental accommodation further out of Birmingham; or using storage facilities, combined with a PO Box address. These suggestions would need further research and feedback to a future meeting. Discussion also turned to a worship service location. Therefore, two projects emerged: a less expensive alternative for the current office; and a larger project to find a new church venue. This latter project would probably involve a working party/committee and external professional advice. It was suggested that SB look for alternative office locations in Birmingham. HT to look for office space locally to her home. A space of 10 ft x 16ft (160 sq ft.) would be ideal. A price of around £7 per sq ft would be a reasonable guide price. SB to find an agent to deal with the larger project. | SB/HT | |
| 3. | Shepherds Items | |
| Membership Covenant - A prepared paragraph covering Data Protection issues was agreed, leaving the way forward to introduce the document to the congregation. It was suggested to launch and teach throughout June on Sundays and Wednesdays. JO to liaise with Shepherds. | Shepherds/ Trustees | |
| It was noted that the Bakers would be looking out for the Leicester congregation. | ||
| Spiritual Enrichment Weekend in October- Spences to make themselves available to those organising this event in London and will feedback progress. | ||
| Shepherds to write to Manchester to thank them formally for the service on 14th May. Informal thanks have already been sent. | ||
| 4. | Finances | |
| Monthly spreadsheet - MD tabled the monthly spreadsheet. No notable comments were made. | ||
| Final Accounts - AT had not yet got with the treasurer, but will do so before the next meeting, and probably report back to the trustees via email | AT | |
| Honorarium for visiting speakers - It was reported that Thames Valley COC (also not part of ICCM) paid £100 + reasonable expenses to any visiting speakers. This would be adopted as the MCOC standard until further notice. | ||
| It was requested to invite Ben Brady to preach one Sunday. It was agreed to pay for Ben's flights, an honorarium of £100 plus reasonable expenses. | SB | |
| GAD - last forms now need to be gathered in on Sunday ASAP. Need to submit to HMRC in May. | MD | |
| Accounts Examination/audit - ongoing. | HT | |
| It was agreed to place £20,000 into the Stewardship account for future projects (eg property or staff). | HT | |
| 5. | Legal Matters | |
| MCoC Logo - Letterhead done. Now moving on to other stationery - invitation cards would be prepared first. | SB | |
| AGM & Resignations - the date set for this is Sunday 30th July - Topics to cover should include finance, Trustees, Shepherds, Hope, forthcoming projects, charity commission, vision for year ahead, other statutory items, voting in new trustees, etc. Notification of the AGM and proposals must be done a month in advance. This information would also be used for the report to the Charity Commission. | JO/AT/HT | |
| Insurance - ongoing. | HT | |
| Data Protection - HT reported the information that will be applied to the notification to the Information Commissioners Office. Ongoing. | HT | |
| 6. | Any Other Business | |
| Unity Proposal (ICOC) - the 'final' version of the document was briefly discussed. Discuss after AGM. Happy with spirit. No decision until after AGM. | Future agenda after AGM | |
| Employment of Minister or other staff - deferred to a future agenda. | Future agenda | |
| Joint Meeting - next meeting postponed due to AGM and associated work involved with this. | ||
| HOPE Street collection in Birmingham to take place on 10th June. It was noted that this was rather sooner than expected. |
Helen Torbet
Church Secretary