Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy, the Reverend Stephen Haines; Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark; Graham Packham; Deputy Richard Regan and Ian Seaton.

Simon Duckworth declared a general non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a Church Warden at St Lawrence Jewry. 

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 23 October 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2019 were approved as a correct record.

Chair to be heard.

Further to a suggestion from a Member, the Chairman had written to all Benefices Vicars reminding them of opportunities for bursaries at Christ’s Hospital and King Edwards Witley.  Members noted that this could be of particular benefit to looked after children or children at risk of being looked after.

There were no questions.

There was some discussion about diversity and Members noted that a significant number of women were now undergoing training or being appointed to the Clergy.  One Member commented on having recently served on a very diverse interview panel.  There was a further observation about the declining numbers of white middle-class men generally in some congregations.  Members also noted an American study suggesting that the Christian Church was particularly female orientated in some denominations. 

MOTION, that – under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED, that – under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 October 2019.

The non-public minutes of the meetings held on 23 October 2019 were approved, subject to an amendment. 

Members of the Sub-Committee to be heard.

Members were invited to discuss their recent visits to the various benefices.

There were no questions.

The Chairman raised a couple of matters of urgent business whilst the public were excluded.