The Draft Minutes of a Meeting of Monmouth Diocesan Conference.
Held on the 10th October 2009 at County Hall, Cwmbran
1 Opening Worship: Conference was opened with worship by the Area Dean and members of the Pontypool Deanery.
2 Apologies for Absence were received from 16 clergy and 18 lay people.
3 Minutes of the meeting of October 11th October 2008 were received without amendment.
4 Matters Arising: There were none.
5 The List of Members was produced and signed.
6 The Report of the Standing Committee was presented by the Archdeacon of Monmouth. He thanked the Secretary for his work in arranging this year’s Conference and during the preceding year. He outlined the work of the Standing Committee, drawing attention to the Report in the Conference booklet. He also reported that the Standing Committee had set up a sub group to investigate ‘value for money’ which would be reported on next year. The group would look in detail at diocesan groups and committees for financial value and purpose. This was not a cost cutting exercise but part of the vision for the future of the diocese. The Archdeacon drew attention to the different format of this years’ Conference and asked for all delegates to complete the questionnaire about future Conferences. The Report of the Standing Committee was proposed and seconded and agreed by Conference without any questions or amendments.
7. The Report of the Diocesan Board of Finance was presented by the Chairman, Mr Sandy Blair CBE. Mr. Blair spoke of the ‘credit crunch’ and of optimistic talk of recovery; however, the reality for the diocese is that recovery could take many years.
Whoever wins the General Election next year and the Assembly Election in 2011, will have to implement the consequences of the next Spending Review of national finances which is forecast at the most optimistic levels to require reductions of 15% per year thereafter. Recovery in the City may only take months; recovery in the rest of the country will take many years.
The good news is that the long term position of the Church in Wales is surprisingly healthy. Investments have taken a hit in short term value and income is down in the current year, but the Church’s finances are strong enough in Wales for there to be full confidence in the pension fund and for the RB to maintain it’s commitment to support dioceses for several years ahead. At a recent meeting of the Governing Body, the Chairman of the Representative Body “ guaranteed the enhanced block grant until 2014” and the Chairman of the Investment Committee reported that “ Pensions are well covered by capital and income” .
Mr Blair went on to speak of the diocese’s finances: The most recent accounts are for 2008, these were approved by the DBF Executive who are the trustees and then adopted by the full DBF after receiving the very positive opinion of the Auditors.
He referred to the Summarised Financial Results (the first page of figures in the Financial Information pack).
Income and Expenditure: Mr Blair explained that the diocese raised £229,000 more in income than the previous year but spent £434,000 more. We thus ended that year with a small deficit compared with a small surplus the previous year. The most significant unbudgeted causes were: higher than anticipated requirements for Council Tax, Clergy Training, and essential repairs and improvements to Parsonages.
The major portion of expenditure is on support for Ministry throughout the diocese.
Assets: The value of property increased (following the first revaluation for some years) whilst the value of investments fell.
The consequence of all this is that total funds fell by a fraction over £500,000 i.e. about 17% in a year when almost all indicators of value fell more. Furthermore most of that fall is temporary being accounted for by short term fall in the value of our investments. The advice from both the RB Investment Committee and our own Diocesan Investment Advisor is that we can expect good recovery over the long term.
Mr Blair spoke about the current financial year: The diocese had budgeted for less income and less expenditure (about £500,000) to reflect the continuing transfer of responsibility for total Ministry costs from the RB to the diocese and a slight consequential reduction in the total number of clergy. At the half year mark Mr. Blair reported that expenditure was within budget but, not surprisingly income was falling a little short of target. There are two reasons for this; investment income is down and the overall pattern of parish share payments in this difficult year is a little further behind than normal. Mr. Blair congratulated all parishes for the efforts made to maintain payments without which the church in this diocese could not continue with its mission and ministry nor provide the range of other provision so well set out in the Conference Report. The DBF is conscious that current circumstances make it a challenging task to increase giving and wish, together with the RB, to provide such advice and guidance wherever reasonably possible. Mr. Blair urged the parish Treasurer’s to use the Direct Debit option for payment of Parish Share.
Other things:
During the year DBF have undertaken a number of reviews which are all hopefully going to help ensure it is in good shape to face the challenges of the future. Most particularly:
1 The DBF has examined it’s Governance Arrangements as Trustees: the recommendation is that there be more clarity over the relationships between the various different bodies that serve the diocese. The Standing Committee is now looking at how further value exercises might assist.
2 Together with the Archdeacons and inspired by the deep commitment of Sharon Smith herself , the diocese has made adjustments to the staffing profile to release up to 50% of Sharon’s time as Accountant, to develop new ways of supporting parishes.
3 There has been a review of accommodation needs and a contract to provide essential repairs and minor improvements to the Diocesan Office has been let, funded out of capital value and without any charge on Parish Share.
4 The diocese has undertaken an independent Review of Staff Pay and Grading and established for the first time a formal grading structure covering DBF funded staff.
5 We are also well advanced in planning a significant recruitment exercise to find a replacement for the Diocesan Secretary.
So to the Future, what of next year?
The last page of the Financial Information sets out next years budget together with forecasts for the following 4 years. The DBF, in consultation with the Bishop and the RB over clergy numbers and associated pension and housing costs respectively, attempted to curtail cost where possible whilst making some provision for future priorities e.g. greater support for children and more relevant training for both clergy and laity. The DBF have also taken a prudent view of likely income challenges and have reduced the annual increase in parish share from the previous target of 5% to 3%. Whilst the DBF hope not to need to call on any reserves it can be seen that the DBF have budgeted for a deficit as is shown by the figure in brackets in the penultimate line. None of this can happen without considerable effort by a wide range of people, and Mr. Blair thanked his fellow members of the DBF, especially those who serve on the Executive as Trustees, the staff of the Diocesan office ; the Bishop and the senior clergy and most particularly all the parish treasurers who in financial terms are the frontline of the church.
Mr. Blair invited questions. Questions covered the maintenance of clergy housing, grants awarded by the Pastoral Committee and the percentage of Parish Share that is used to support ministry.
The Chairman proposed acceptance of the DBF Report by Conference which was carried unanimously.
8 The Reception of Other Diocesan Reports was moved en bloc by the Bishop.
9. Motions: none.
10 Answers to written questions: one question had been received
From Mr. John Bewley – Magor Rectorial Benefice: At the recent Governing Body meeting, Archbishop Barry urged the churches to put moral and ethical matters back on the public agenda. We need to make our voice heard on all issues, he said. Could Bishop Dominic share with us some of the issues he considers important? How does he suggest that individual Christians and churches go about making their voices heard?
The Bishop responded: I am grateful to John Bewley for asking this question because ‘moral and ethical matters’ are not ‘add-ons’ to the Christian faith but a consequence of what we believe about God and his relationship with his world.
I would want to name three moral issues as being of prime importance:
The first is our duty to care for God’s creation. The Bible opens with God entrusting humankind with the care of the creation and yet so often we have abused this trust and exploited God’s world. We have been destroying the planet and have now become aware of the need for ecology and the care of creation. This raises moral issues about climate change, the use of fossil fuels, recycling waste, animal welfare and our carbon footprints.
In response to these issues, the Church in Wales has produced the Parish Green Guide which all PCCs should have discussed so that they can see if there are ways in which they can take steps to save energy, recycle and care for the environment. The Diocese has an active CHASE groups (CHASE stands for CHurch Action on Sustaining the Environment) and parishes and individuals can be members of the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals (of which I happen to be the President).
The second moral issue (which is related to the first) is that of justice. Jesus said, ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (justice) …’ We live in a world where 20% of the population uses 80% of the world resources. Women and children often have poor working conditions and lack human rights and many individuals and churches have been long time supporters of organisations like Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International. In addition, there are justice issues concerning the manufacture and sale of arms, trade justice, health justice and finance justice. For example, Governments in the US and Europe have recently found $3 trillion dollars to bale out the banks, but they have provided less that one ten thousandth of that amount to help feed the poor who as a result of the world economic crisis are facing massive increases in food prices and starvation.
In our companion Diocese of the Highveld between 30-50% of the population are infected with HIV/AIDS but the vast majority do not have access to the drugs that are available. Again individuals and parishes have been generous in their support of the ministry to those people.
Issues of justice are also linked with peace because there can be no real peace without justice. The prophet Micah (6:8) said, ‘Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God’.
The third moral issue I would name is that of the family. We know that family life is the bedrock of society and yet even in our own society there is an increase in family breakdown through divorce. We have the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe and many children lack good role models. The ‘knock on’ effect can be seen in the crime statistics and the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Mr Justice Coleridge, a judge in the Family Division has said that not every broken family produces dysfunctional children but dysfunctional children almost always come from broken families.
The Children’s Society has looked at what it calls the ‘sexploitation’ of children and how many parents lack parenting skills. Here in Wales, many individuals and parishes support the Archbishop’s Fund for Children.
The Church can address some of these issues through the work of the Mothers Union, the Care for the Family organisation, our own church schools and work with children and young people where teaching about the importance of relationships is paramount; and more recently there has been an encouraging response to the ministry of Street Pastors
which brings us into contact with needy teenagers. In a Street Pastor scheme there are those who go out onto the streets and also those who support them through prayer.
In addition, many churches run groups for parents and young children and are looking at community projects to support family life and minister to those from broken homes.
So, in conclusion, I consider that three major moral issues – caring for creation, working for justice and supporting family life - as having the highest priority and ones which I hope our churches, and each one of us, will address.
11 Any Other Business:
Certificates were awarded to the Rev’ds Dorothy Thomas, Pam Griffiths, Ashley Hunt and Marian Redwood on completion of Spirituality training with Revd Sr. Anita Woodwell. Advanced training Certificates were awarded to the Revd’s Janet Bone, Jason Bray. Revd. Will Ingle-Gillis was not present and so will receive his Certificate later.
The Bishop paid tribute to Mr. Nigel Williams (Diocesan Registrar) and Mr. Richard Tarran (Diocesan Secretary) and made a ‘token ‘ presentation to mark their last Diocesan Conference in their present posts owing to their impending retirements in 2010’.
The Bishop introduced the Revd. Lynn Coull from the Diocese of the Highveld and invited her to speak to Conference. She read a letter of greetings from Bishop David Bannerman and spoke of the huge impact that HIV/Aids has in her country with 5.7 million people infected with the disease.
Lynn works as Social Responsibility Officer and oversees 75 projects working with the ill and orphaned. She spoke movingly of the home care projects, feeding stations, care givers and crèches, some of which have been helped by funding from Monmouth Diocese. She spoke of the many consignments of toys, blankets, wool, seeds etc that had been sent over a number of years and thanked everyone for their generosity and prayers. She paid tribute to the commitment of Bishop David Beetge and of how much he was missed; she gave assurance that the link was valued and would continue. The Bishop thanked Lynn for her words and assured her that the link was valued here and that prayer would continue daily for the Highveld.
The Bishop thanked the staff of the Diocesan Office for their work throughout the year, the Revd David Neale for his invaluable audio visual work, the stallholders, the Revd David Collingbourne as Secretary to Conference for making all the arrangements and the Registrar for his constant legal help and guidance.
12 The date of the next Ordinary meeting of the Diocesan Conference will be on Saturday 9th October 2010 at County Hall, Cwmbran.
13 Closing Prayer was offered by the Bishop who also gave The Blessing.