8.1 Church Drive – update: SA reported that work has started; the first stage should be finished by the end of next week – this means that a significant payment will be due by mid-August. AT is liaising with the grant-making authorities; SA thanked him for his support. As the work has gone ahead without the Town Council grant, the Friends of St Peters have kindly offered an additional £6,000, taking their total contribution to £20,000. SA will write a letter of thanks in time for their next meeting on 3rd August.
Disabled access: The gates should be open at weekends to allow access to Church. This did not happen last weekend, but SA has spoken to the contractors to ensure they are left open in the future.
SA reported that he and AT have decided that it would be useful to have a third person involved when dealing with the contractors as issues often arise that require a quick decision. They have approached Steve Williams (SW) who did a lot of the preparatory work and he has agreed to support them.
There have been problems with the flood lighting – the cables were severed early in the project (they were not buried deeply underground).
The conduit (duct) has been laid. RD has been liaising with the architect to bring the cables in to Church and is meeting with Simon Walls on Tuesday 25th July. However, a decision needs to be made with regard to the termination at St Peters’ Centre – with the cables going either over the archway or under the drive. AT noted that the holding company, Old School Management Ltd (the Church and the owners of the school are shareholders) needs to be consulted before a decision can be made. AT is attempting to get hold of them. RD: There is a cost implication of an additional £1,000 if the cables go under the drive. RD, SW, SA and AT would recommend this route as it is best from an engineering point of view. There is about £600 left in the restricted fund for improving streaming which could be used. JPH asked if the decision to make this additional spend could be delegated to the F&GP. The PCC agreed.
SA reported that the West Door floodlights have been removed for the works. There is now a flat surface going to the door, so when replaced the floodlights will have to be at ground level. There is a plan in place to protect them from vehicles.
SA noted that when the first stage of the works has been finished the path will be reopened to pedestrians only. A notice will be put up to this effect and to say that the surface is a temporary one. The surface needs to cure for 28 days. The final surface can only be put down when completely dry conditions are guaranteed; the process will take a couple of days.
AT: A press release is going to the newspapers and radio. Money from the fund-raising bodies will be available by mid-August. JPH has a meeting with the Dent Brocklehurst Trust on July 5th.
SA thanked AT for all his hard work.
8.2 Christ Church Angels: SA reported that the repairs are going ahead, but the work has been postponed until November. A funding application has been made to the Dent Brocklehurst Trust. Another possible source of funds is the William and Jane Morris fund; however to get this funding the services of an architect would need to be accessed, - this would be costly. Christchurch are continuing to fund raise; yesterday’s Pimms party made £682, and the fete, £200. GA reported that the Parish has received a legacy of £500 from Norman Smith – a restriction has been placed on this legacy to use it for improvements and maintenance of Christchurch. Therefore it could be used for the angels.
8.3 St Peters’ Centre – bargeboards and facias update: GA: The work has been completed; an additional spend of £293 plus VAT was required. SA: The work looks good; £1600 came from restricted funds for the improvement of St Peter’s Centre; the remaining £1065 came from the general fund.
8.4 SPAB Maintenance Training Days: Society for preservation of ancient buildings. Anne Dean organised a training day on 18th July 2017, based on St Peters. MB and SA: An excellent day; four groups carried out a survey of the whole Church and a maintenance plan has been developed. The 15 attendees included two from Christchurch, one from Pershore Abbey, and others from the surrounding villages. The aim of the project is that others learn from it and apply it to their own Church.
TH: Noted that he has heard that the leaded lights in the windows will deteriorate during the next 50 years. The quinquennial is due next year and will look at this.
8.5 Clock: MB reported that the clock is not striking on the quarter hour. It is due to be serviced in September; MB has asked for it to be looked at before then.
8.6 Smart Water: GA: The Church roof and lead are not smart water protected and are therefore not covered by the Ecclesiastical Insurance policy. JPH asked if GA could obtain a quote from a smart water company and bring it to the F&GP. SA asked if the PCC could authorise F&GP to agree a payment of up to £1,000. Proposed by AT and seconded by SA.
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