| ATTENDEES: | Scott Bryden, Marilyn Dean, Jimmy Ogunshakin and Andrew Torbet (chair) |
| IN ATTENDANCE: | Andy & Tammy Fleming |
| APOLOGIES: | none |
The meeting began at 7pm and opened with a prayer.
| Topic | Action | |
| 1. | Approval of Previous Minutes | |
| The Minutes from 15th December were agreed and duly signed by Scott Bryden who acted as chair for that particular meeting. | ||
| 2. | Matters Arising from Previous Minutes - not elsewhere covered on the agenda | |
| 15th December | ||
| Pensions arrangements: It was agreed to pay pension contributions for the Flemings with effect from 1st January 2009 of 9.5% gross in line with ICCM practice. The precise scheme to be used and the possibility of allowing the Flemings to administer their own pension plan will be investigated further. Since it is believed that by 2012 a mandatory contribution of at least 3% per employee to a recognised scheme may be required, the Flemings may wish to sign a waiver in this regard if this is permitted. | MD | |
| 24th November | ||
| Missions Contribution: AF will follow-up his previous communication with the Indian churches. No project has yet been identified for funding within the UK small churches. | AF | |
| Volunteer admin team: TF to put a note in the Bulletin to ask for people to volunteer to count the cash giving and other light admin duties. Any such volunteers to speak to AT | TF/AT | |
| HOPEWorldwide: The charity is seriously understaffed and a reply to our query has not been forthcoming. Some informal help may be offered by Julia Wakefield. | ||
| HMRC Letter: the penalty for the late submission of a nil return form has been set at zero. | ||
| Financial advice and budgeting: MD presented paperwork from Stewardship and it was decided that 2 teams of advisers be approached and asked to train for this work: AT, the Desalus, MD and Andy Chapman. Initially they would offer advice to those needing help setting a personal budget within the congregation. Working with people in the wider community is also covered in the Stewardship training. | AT/MD | |
| 3. | Shepherds Items | |
| Church Holiday Deposit and Agreement: SB reported good progress though still awaiting the final insurance documents. | SB | |
| Family Group Leaders Retreat 20/21st March. Bookings have begun. | ||
| 4. | Finances | |
| Monthly spreadsheet 2008 complete to December was presented. Despite the present climate, MD/AT to investigate a higher interest account for savings deposit. The 2009 monthly spreadsheet to show income to certain budget headings in the same line as the outgoings. | ||
| 5. | Employment of Staff | |
| Employment of an admin assistant to be progressed with immediate effect by JO. | JO | |
| Flemings have accepted an invitation to work for 3 days per month (AF 2, TF 1) for the East London Church (ELC). MD/AF to sort out the payment issues and whether the ELC will be covering the ErNI pro rata. | MD/AF | |
| AF expressed the desire for another ministry couple to work with the teens and pre-teens. Suggested a part-time arrangement working up to full-time. MD/AF to work this into the budgetary plan from the middle of the year for future discussion. | MD/AF | |
| 6. | Legal Matters | |
| Compliance Schedule - ongoing | ||
| Staff Handbook - ongoing | JO | |
| UK Border Agency Sponsoring Licence (Home Office Rule Change) - MD/JO to seek to complete the paperwork by the end of March. | MD/JO | |
| Trustees Insurance - professional indemnity - Public Liability - ongoing | JO | |
| Prospect of converting (MCoC) to a Company Limited by Guarantee - to be the subject of the Trustees Reading day this year. | ||
| 7. | Any Other Business | |
| Ongoing dialogue with ICCM on co-operation between UK Churches: AF reported his recent communications. Extensive discussion arising from the beginnings of outreach in Lincoln, which involves members of both the Leicester (MCoC) and Leeds (ICCM) congregations. Future plans, need for staff in the east Midlands etc. | ||
| 8. | Date of Next Meeting | |
| The next Trustees Meeting will be held on 30th March 2009 (subsequently amended to 27 April 2009) |
Marilyn Dean
For Church Secretary