The St John's Church Steering Group was set up in January 2008. St John's Church Preservation Group view the St John's Church Steering Group as vital to our work.
Chair
Ven Fred Trethewey, Archdeacon of Dudley
Steering Group Members
Alan Taylor
Buildings Inspector, West Midlands region English Heritage
John Dentith
Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee
Brian Wentworth
Churchwarden St John's Church and St John's Parochial Church Council (PCC)
Pam Wentworth
Secretary St John's Church PCC
Sandra Jones
Churchwarden St John's Church and St John's Parochial Church Council (PCC)
Rev Dave George
Priest in Charge, St John's Church
Deb Brownlee
Chair, St John's Church Preservation Group
Other member (rotated)
St John's Church Preservation Group
Councillor Shaukat Ali
St Thomas's Ward
Councillor Steve Waltho
St Thomas's Ward
The St John's Church Steering Group was formed in January 2008 following a meeting of Councillor Shaukat Ali and the Ven Fred Trethewey
Meetings take place around six times a year
TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE STEERING GROUP
Discussion of options
whether or not redundancy is granted
Funding streams available
Needs and priorities of
local community and how the old church building might be a resource for
meeting the needs of the community
Communication with the
media
Respecting views and statutory obligations of all parties
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Worked together to produce the Feasibility Study Consultant's Brief "The Future For St John's Church"
Obtained costings for initial waterproofing works
Faculty permission for the waterproofing works obtained - valid for three years
Feasibility Study consultants selected and fundraising taking place ready for early 2010 start
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 1st December 2009 6.30pm - a public meeting in the Parish Hall, St John's Road, Kates Hill. Everyone welcome.
Meeting on Tuesday 21st July 2009
Apologies: Brian and Pam Wentworth, Alan Taylor, Rev George Discussed Feasibility Study Consultant's Brief (Change made in Section One) All Consultants to carry out the research (More enquiries to be made) DB/AT Funding (More enquiries to be made) DB, SA, SW, JD, FT,AT Bid for Tower Repairs and Community Radio All Benefactors and public appeal for funds DB/SJCPG Grounds clearance (Appeal for Glyphosate re Japanese Knotweed and need for more helpers) DB/SJCPG Media release All/DB/FT prepare
Meeting on Tuesday 6th October 2009
Apologies: Sandra Jones, Rev Dave George Discussed: Opening of tender documents from potential feasibility study consultants and shortlisting. Date set for meetings short listed companies. All Proposal for limited re-opening of St John's Church building for cleaning, airing, monitoring for further damage and to assist with fundraising (submitted by SJCPG). Agreed subject to risk assessment and insurance. Action BW/SW/SA/DB Details for 1st December public meeting of Steering Group 'Community Update' (submitted by SJCPG for consideration) agreed All
Meeting Wednesday 18th November 2009
Apologies: Sandra Jones, Rev Dave George Meetings with the three shortlisted feasibility study consultants. Unanimous decision reached. Other business: Access to the church building. Action AD/BW/PCC Faculty requirement for repairs to lightning conductor. Action DB Funding for feasibility study to commence by 31.3.2010. All.
PRESS QUOTES FROM STEERING GROUP - ARCHDEACON
25.3.09
The Archdeacon of Dudley said “The Steering Group
is making progress in tackling the need for basic repairs to the building and
in working towards a feasibility study on the options for its future. We are
hopeful that a plan will emerge that will enable the church building to have a
new lease of sustainable life.”
21.7.09
Chair The Ven Fred Trethewey “ We are continuing to work towards engaging
suitable consultants for the feasibility study and we have applied for the
granting of the necessary legal permission to commence work on the rainwater
goods and roof repairs. In addition we are now stepping up our efforts to
locate suitable sources of funding.”
18.11.09
Chair the Archdeacon of Dudley "We were very impressed with the energy which XXXX brought to their presentation, their track record in working with churches in communities like Kates Hill and their commitment to working in close partnership with us on this exciting project"
PRESS QUOTES FROM ST JOHN'S CHURCH PRESERVATION GROUP - STEERING GROUP
25.3.09
Deb Brownlee, Chair
“We sought agreement through the Steering Group to do
sufficient work to make the building waterproof whilst further explorationsregarding the future for St John’s continue. This
will buy time for the building which at the moment suffers more damage every
time it rains. The Steering Group have now agreed on a commissioning architect who
will prepare a workplan. This is the first stage towards obtaining permission
to carry out the repairs.”
24.7.09 Deb Brownlee, Chair
18.11.09 Deb Brownlee, Chair "The
Steering Group has looked at many firms of architects to partner with
us in this great mission to Save St John's and the whole process has
taken many months. We managed to shortlist to just three companies but
when we entered into final discussions we were absolutely unanimous
that XXXXX showed the greatest understanding of the brief, were totally
professional in their approach and coiuld bring the benefit of wide
experience to the table. We are very excited at the prospect of
partnering with such a dynamic company"
