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HOUSTON AND KILLELLAN KIRK
Joint Session and Congregational Board Meeting on 16 February 2010
MINUTES
The Session and Congregational Board of Houston and Killellan Kirk met at 7.30pm on Tuesday 16 February 2010 in the Church Hall with the Rev. Donald Campbell, Minister in the Chair. The Rev Donald Campbell constituted the meeting with a prayer and a reading.
Sederunt/Apologies:
44 members attended the Meeting as detailed in the Sederunt book. Apologies were received from 10 members.
Finance:
Mr John King presented the 2009 Accounts which had previously been circulated and presented to the Congregational Board at a previous Meeting on Tuesday 2nd February 2010.
- During the year, our Offerings plus tax reclaimed on Gift Aid totalled £149,455, an increase of £330, with total income showing an increase of £3,866 to £164,549.
- There was an increase of £2,376 in our allocation to 121 George Street but other expenses have been contained which means our total expenses were up £1,527 to £140,273 creating a surplus in the General Account of £24,276
- We have transferred £10,000 from the General Account to the Fabric account leaving a balance in the General Account of £46,651
- After this transfer the Fabric Fund stands at £71,365. The Kirk Carnival brought in £5,310 which is a substantial sum considering that the day was the wettest in recent memory
- During the year the balance of the loan for the Manse extension was repaid One major item of expenditure was the new hearing system in the Kirk. This was charged to the Legacy Account which along with the installation of new electrical switches reduced the balance of this account by £14,378 to £17,555
- From the statement of funds our total assets are £136,095 an increase of £12,557 over last year.
- £123,100 is held with The Church of Scotland Deposit Scheme where the current interest rate is 1.89%
Treasurer’s Report continued/-
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Treasurer’s Report continued
Financially we have had a good year and I would like to thank the Finance Committee for their input and support with a special mention to Anne & Jack who give so freely of their time and financial acumen and to Douglas who has spent so much time negotiating with Scottish Gas to ensure we get the best possible energy rates.
Mr King clarified a number of points in the form of question from the Members, thereafter the Accounts were approved, proposed by George Colquhoun and Seconded by Allan Gilfillan.
Mr King once again thanked Mr Graeme Finnie, who attended the Meeting in his capacity as Independent Examiner, for all the help he had given Mr King and the Finance Committee. Mr Finnie stated that he would be happy to continue as Independent Examiner, this offer was gratefully accepted.
Mr John McKechnie summarised the Budget proposals for 2010/2011 which had been circulated prior to the Meeting. A number of items were highlighted i.e. a salary increase for the Organist, the Church Officer and the Church Secretary.
The Chairman thanked Mr King, Mr McKechnie and the other Members of the Finance Committee for all the hard work carried out throughout the year and in particular for the extra work involved in the preparation of the Annual Accounts.
Fabric Committee Update:
1. Mr John Wilson highlighted a number of issues that had arisen since the last Meeting:
2. Repair to the Belfry – it has been found that one of the rafters in completed rotted and more extensive work than previously proposed will have to be carried out at an extra cost. It would be of advantage to have Cox repair the roof when the rafter is replaced as this would come within the warranty terms. Action – Fabric Committee
3. Jock and Jenny Plinth – it is hoped that glass covers will be installed in about 4 week’s time. Ian Spearing has volunteered to paint the frames beforehand.
4. Fire exit lights are being replaced in the halls and extras will be installed at the stairs end of the big hall. The fire alarm has had a new battery installed to replace a defective one.
5. A notice board has been installed for the Sunday Club in the big hall.
6. Taps have had replacement parts fitted in the ladies and gents toilets.
7. Service plan for the heating boilers has been increased to cover 365 days, with parts included, as the previous plan did not cover weekends. The extra premium costs sare less than we paid out for parts last year.
8. The console for the sound system was replaced under warranty.
9. Estimates are currently being obtained for redecoration of the Manse lounge. To date we have received two similar quotes, the smaller of which is likely to be accepted.
Fabric Report continued/-
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Fabric Report continued:
10. Estimates are required for a replacement front door in the Manse. Action – Fabric Committee
11. Lead flashing was replaced in the roof of the small hall. A leak in the Manse garage roof was also repaired.
Mr Wilson wished to thank all of the Fabric Committee, in particular at this time, to Mr Ian Spearing and Mr Jack McNeil. Mr Wilson highlighted that the cost of repairs was only kept to a minimum through the hard work of the Committee members.
The Rev Campbell thanked Mr Wilson and his team, on behalf of the Session, the Congregational Board and the Congregation for their continuing excellent efforts often at unsociable times.
AOCB
New Communicants – the first of the new Communicants will be admitted on 28 February and the remainder on Sunday 7 March 2010.
Church Extension Project Presentation:
Mr Iain Cameron and Mr Alastair McGregor gave a very detailed, informative, presentation of the current position with the above project. Mr Cameron updated the Members on ‘where we currently are’ and ‘where we hope to go from here’ with regard to planning permission etc.
The Session and Board Members were given a ‘Google visualisation display’ of the proposed plans; paper copies of the plans were also displayed on the notice board in the hall for all members to view and comment on.
Questions were invited and a wide ranging discussion followed. One of the major concerns was how this project would be funded.
At the end of the discussion the Rev Campbell commended these proposals to the Members and asked that we be willing to take the leap of faith that Mr Cameron had spoken about.
It was agreed that the proposals should be taken forward to the Congregation. The display will be shown in the Church on three Sundays, one of which will be the week of the stated Annual General Meeting. The Congregation will then be asked to make comment on the plans.
The Rev Campbell highlighted to the Meeting that the majority of the work already carried out on the Project, had been done on a voluntary basis at no cost to the Church and Mr Cameron and Mr McGregor are due our very grateful thanks.
The Meeting closed at approximately 10pm with the Benediction.
At Houston and within Houston and Killellan
Church hall, the Kirk Session met on Sunday 29th November 2009 at
1400hrs. The meeting was constituted in prayer by Rev. Donald Campbell,
Moderator.
This meeting was convened for the purpose
of considering the next stage in the ‘Election of new Elders’
1. As agreed by the Kirk Session on 27th
October 2009, the Moderator, in conjunction with the Session Clerk and Deputy
Session Clerk, produced a list of 19 members (on screen) who were considered to
meet the agreed criteria of the number of nominations received, church
attendance, involvement in Church life, welcoming capacity and enthusiasm for
the Church and sense of Christian commitment. .
The Moderator explained that no fixed
number of Elders had been agreed.
The meeting was informed that it has never
been agreed policy in our Kirk Session not to admit Elders as spouses of
Elders.
If any Elder had an objection or concern
about any member on the list produced, the Elder was asked to contact the
Moderator within 14 days i.e. by 13th December 2009.
In the event that no objections are raised,
all 19 members will be approached to establish their interest in becoming
Elders.
The need for complete confidentiality was
stressed again.
2. Retiring offerings for charitable causes
at this year’s Christmas services. The Moderator asked Elders to consider
suitable charities. Action – The
Moderator
3. New members. The following persons were
admitted by resolution of the Kirk Session viz.- Mrs Margaret Lang, 2 Crosslee Park, Crosslee
PA6 7BW, Mr John Baxter, North Glen
Farm, Langbank, PA14 6YH and Mrs Ruth Baxter, North Glen Farm, Langbank, PA14
6YH.
4. The Clerk read out a letter from the
Convenor of Adams House in Elderslie, asking for our support. Last year we
agreed to give £150. No agreement to this request was given at this stage but,
on a motion from Caroline Morrison, it was agreed to discuss the whole issue of
donations to Charitable causes at the January Session meeting. – Action –
S/Clerk
5. Date of
next Session meeting – Tuesday 5th January at 1930 hrs in the Church
Hall.
The Moderator thanked everyone for
attending and closed the meeting with the benediction at 1450hrs.
-----------------------------------
--------------------------------------
Rev Donald Campbell,
James McBeath, Session Clerk
Moderator
Page no 1 – 23.06.09
Minutes of the Joint meeting of the Kirk
Session and Congregational Board on 23rd June 2009 in the Church
Hall.
Rev Donald Campbell constituted the meeting
in prayer.
1. SEDERUNT/APOLOGIES. 47 members attended with 14 apologies.
2. MINUTES The minutes of previous Board meetings of 21st
April and 10th May were
agreed – proposed by Adam McCartney and seconded by John King
All outstanding items were on going. Ref
para no 14 requires to be agreed re non
church organizations. ACTION– Clerk, Fabric and CPS.
3. SAFEGUARDING REPORT.. – Cath
Close
Those Kirk Session members present agreed to ratify the following
members, all having received Disclosure Scotland Certificates. viz
Mrs Jean Best, 9 Ranfurly Road, Bridge of
Weir – Starzone
Mrs Norma McBeath, 12, Brackendene, Houston
– Starzone
Miss Lindsay McCourt, 32, Craigburn Cres,
Houston- Starzone and Youth club
Mr Stephen Randtoul, 2 Crawford Road,
Houston
Mrs Sarah McEwan, Greenbank, Lintwhite
Cres, Bridge of Weir – Starzone
4. MEETINGS. Details of the
forthcoming Session and Board meetings from August 09 to June 10 were agreed.
5. NEW CHURCH REAR HALL COMMITTEE REPORT
– Iain Cameron, Acting Convenor.
Iain’s full report is shown at Appendix A.
In answer to questions, Iain emphasized
that negotiations were at a very delicate stage and that we need to proceed
with caution. It is planned to advise members of the congregation of progress
via the Church record in Sept/Oct..
In answer to a question from Malcolm
MacGadie regarding the need for such an extension, the Minister said that the
current kitchen/ toilet did not even meet basic hygiene standards never mind
Health and Safety and Disability Discrimination legislation. The vestry was
totally inadequate in area, which was a concern vis a vis Behind the Scenes, weddings and funerals.
While the facilities may have been acceptable 50 years ago, they are not in
2009.
The Minister explained that it is not
proposed to replace the current Halls.
The meeting agreed to Iain Cameron’s
request to extend the Committee’s brief to include the investigation of
providing temporary improved toilet facilities at the Church.
Iain was thanked for producing a very
detailed report of what had happened up to the present.
Page no 2 - 230609
6. TREASURER’S REPORT – John King
Copies of the current accounts, along with
a report from the Treasurer, were circulated to members prior to the meeting.
It was agreed that the cost of the
peripheral sound items should be
allocated the Legacy budget.
7. FINANCE REPORT – Jack McKechnie
Jack reported that although we are still in
surplus we have to keep a close watch on our expenditure.
8. FABRIC REPORT- John Wilson
John’s report had been previously
circulated to members.
It was agreed to replace the fire in the
Manse at a cost of £461 to include the
cost of the removal of a squirrel’s nest.
After discussion, it was agreed that the
estimates received for painting of the exterior of the Halls and the hall and
stairway of the Manse should be reviewed again by the Fabric Committee. As far
as value for money is concerned it was agreed to leave the matter to the
discretion of the Fabric Convenor and his committee who should meet in July/Aug
to make a decision.
9. CHURCH RECORD – Bob Finnie.
Bob’s report had been previously
circulated.
It was noted that the Record will now be
published 8 times per year and that John Melrose had taken over from David
McLay as Editor. The Minister expressed our grateful thanks to David who had
carried out the role of Editor over the past 21 years most efficiently and
effectively.
10. WELCOME PACK – Barbara Ann Brown.
Barbara Ann outlined 4 welcome items which
had been drawn up by the Kirk Session Mission team. The Kirk Session would be
asked to ratify these at their August meeting viz.
Fillan welcome card for children
Welcome leaflet
New occupancy note
Welcome pack
Page no 3 - 230609
11. UNITARY FORM OF CONSTITUTION (All spiritual, financial and temporal matters to come under
jurisdiction of the Kirk Session)
Copies of this form of Constitution were
available at the meeting and members were asked to consider the information
provided.
This matter will be discussed at the August
Kirk Session meeting.
12. ECO CONGREGATION/FAIRTRADE.
This year’s General Assembly instructed
that all congregations should have a plan for measuring energy consumption. ACTION
– Fabric Convenor.
Many congregations are now eco
congregations and also fairtrade ones. The Minister asked if anyone would be
prepared to take on the role of Co-ordinator. Fiona Rodgers said she know
someone who might be interested. FOLLOW UP ACTION. – Minister/Session Clerk.
13.AOCB.
a) It was agreed to allow the Church of the
Nazerene the use of our Hall from 1000-1600 hrs on 29th August 2009,
without charge.
b) It was agreed to produce an updated
Church Directory to all Office Bearers by 1st January 2010. ACTION. The Church Secretary.
The Minister closed the meeting in prayer
at 2120hrs
Rev D Campbell.
-----------------------------------
Allan Gilfillan,
-------------------------------------
Clerk to the Congregational Board
James McBeath,
------------------------------------
Session Clerk.
Appendix A - 230609
Houston and Killellan Kirk
Session/Congregational Board Meeting – 23rd
June 2009
New Church Rear Hall Committee Report
Since June 2008 when I last reported the Committee has met on at least six occasions both informally
and formally.
Until January 2009 the Committee comprising Donald Campbell, Minister, John Wilson, Fabric Convenor,
Alastair McGregor, Design Consultant, Norris Hamilton, Project Architect and I
met informally on a regular basis to progress project matters.
During this period design of the suspended first floor only design option was progressed,
additional contacts were made with Renfrewshire Council and Historic Scotland’s
representatives, similar projects were researched and additional site
information relation to the church graveyard was sought.
In addition contact was made with the Presbytery and the Church of Scotland to obtain their advice
and their knowledge of church hall extension projects of a similar nature. This
contact resulted in a meeting with the representatives of both the Presbytery
and the Church of Scotland Trustees in January 2009. Following the meeting at
which both Presbytery and Church of Scotland Trustee representatives’
recognised the need for and indicated
their wholehearted support of our Church Rear Hall Extension proposals a Grant
of £ 5000.00 for was made available to
cover the ‘Feasibility Stage ’ costs of the planned project.
From February 2009 the Committee has met formally twice and minutes have kept of the meetings. This
resulted from receipt of the Church of Scotland ‘Feasibility Stage’ Grant and
the consider view of the small informal committee of a need for additional
financial and legal advice relating to the proposed project. Consequently the
Committee was enlarged to include Jim McBeath, Session Clerk, Helen Dunn,
Depute Session Clerk (Legal Advice), Alan Gilfillan, Clerk to the Board and
Jack McKechnie, Finance Convenor.
Since February the basic hall extension design brief (to meet both current statutory and client
requirements) has been clarified for both two storey and suspended upper storey
only options, contacts have established with Church of Scotland Legal
Department, further contacts have been made with Renfrewshire Council and
Historic Scotland’s representatives, contacts have been established with the
West of Scotland Archaeological Society, similar identified projects have been
researched and visited where appropriate, Church ground ownership position has
been clarified, funding advice in relation to anticipated project costs of
between £250k to £ 400k has been sought from the Finance Committee and the
likely fee for Structural Engineering advice has been agreed. Whilst further
ongoing design development has at the present been placed on hold a full
topographical site survey of the graveyard has been prepared and a shallow site
investigation of the rear gravel path area was carried out to confirm that no
graves were evident within this area. The costs of the topographical site
survey and path site investigation work have covered by the ‘Feasibility
Grant’.
The project has now reached its first ‘delicate’ stage. Further necessary site investigation work
will require excavations with the rear graveyard area. These site investigation
excavations currently planned in the grass areas between the existing
gravestones will require advice to be sought from the West of Scotland
Archaeological Society (who control all historic graveyard excavations) and if
deemed appropriate by them an application to be made to the Sheriff for a
Warrant. Whilst the Committee is anxious to proceed it has to be recognised
that receipt of such advice, approval of site excavation proposals and granting
of the appropriate Warrant may take some time. An approved specialist
Contractor will also likely have to be employed to undertake such site
investigation work if approved. Such works are also likely to make the proposed
project ‘public’ for the first time with perhaps some resulting local or wider
opposition.
Although the Committee currently considers the proposed ‘within graveyard’ church rear hall extension
the best option, it has and will continue to consider all other alternative
hall development options available. Whilst none of these alternative options
are likely to be situated within the graveyard area all will come with their
own problems due to anticipated locations within adjacent private ground or
designated ‘green belt’ areas and the specific archaeological excavation
requirements associated with each. The Committee does expect that at some point
there will be some local or wider based resistance or opposition to the current
proposed ‘within graveyard’ development. Some local or wider opposition to some
if not all of the other current options is also considered likely.
Between now and the end of 2009 the Committee intends to continue to progress site and existing
building investigation work, maintain contacts with and seek advice from all
Church, Public and other interested parties, progress design development work
and obtain necessary additional legal and financial advice. Its next formal
meeting will be held during the early part of September.
If there are any Questions I will attempt to answer them.
Iain R. Cameron
Acting Convenor
23rd June 2009
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