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SafeguardingPARISH Safeguarding continues to remain a priority within the church, both in the Diocese and within our Mission Community. We aim to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all who visit and worship here. Safeguarding is the responsibility of us all and is discussed regularly at PCC meetings. In the past year there have not been any reported safeguarding concerns. Our Safeguarding Policy and Domestic Abuse Statement are displayed in both churches and are published on the Church website. All users who hire our hall or vestry are required to sign documentation to agree to abide by the required safeguarding provisions. We continue to have %u2018due regard%u2019 to the House of Bishops%u2019 Guidance.All Church officers and Junior Church volunteers are DBS checked and have completed the relevant Safeguarding Training. PCC members have now completed Basic, Foundation and Domestic Violence training. Reverend Paul Pritchard and Jacqui Adams have also completed Safer Recruitment training. All paid and volunteer roles are appointed following the Safer Recruitment process. Training is reviewed and updated every three years as required. Information regarding training and Safeguarding guidance can be obtained on the Diocesan website: http://manchester.anglican.org. Risk Assessments are completed for our church buildings and for specific events, theses are held centrally.The Diocese have set up a new system which enables each Parish to record all relevant details including policies, training, DBS checks, risk assessments, insurance, safer recruitment etc which then produces an action plan. This is reviewed at PCC meetings and ensures that we are following required guidelines and are regularly updating and improving our procedures.Our Mission Community Safeguarding Officers meet termly with the clergy and provide shared knowledge, support and guidance.Any Safeguarding concerns should be reported to Jacqui Adams ( based at St James, Emma O%u2019Donnell based at St Saviours, Reverend Paul Pritchard or the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer. Contact details are displayed in both Churches and on the website. We also display helpful contacts with external organisations. We rely almost entirely on volunteers and are grateful to everyone who supports the Church by offering their time and skills. During the coming year we hope to expand our church and community activities and would welcome interest from anyone who would be interested in helping to support these activities with ideas, time and talents.Jacqui Adams and Emma O%u2019DonnellParish Safeguarding OfficersPCC%u2008SecretaryPCC MEETINGSUp until February 2025 the the PCC had met five times during the term 2024-2025 and there had been one remote Standing Committee Meeting to approve commencement of urgent electrical work in the Parish Church.Attendance (actual attendances as a percentage of possible attendances) was 76%..The proceedings of the PCC are summarised in the formal minutes. After these have been approved at the following meeting they are available on request for inspection by anyone on the Electoral Roll (except when deemed by the PCC to be confidential). As ever, the main agenda items were of finance, our ability to pay our way (Parish Share, expenses etc. etc.) and the continuing development of the Mission Community. Trevor DunkerleyMARCH 2024-MARCH 2025Churchwardens elected to serve were David Marsland and Kath Moss.Those that offered their services to serve on the PCC were: Jacqui Adams and Linda Forsyth.Trevor Dunkerley was co-opted on for one year as Secretary.APPOINTMENTS BY PCCVice Chair: ChurchwardensSecretary: Trevor DunkerleyTreasurer: Alan MakinsonRegister of Giving: Lynn BriercliffeElectoral Roll Officer: David WestheadChild Protection Officer: Jacqui AdamsStanding Committee: Vicar, Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary DEANERY SYNOD REPRESENTATIVE (FOR THREE YEARS FROM 2023)Deb Warrington and Carly Fox.Planned Giving/Gift AidONCE again, on behalf of your Parochial Church Council, may I pass on a sincere %u201cThank You!%u201d to everyone who has contributed financially either by way of cash, donations or standing orders during the last year.During 2024 we recovered a total of %u00a38,222.07 of Gift Aid rebate from HMRC; this relates to qualifying contributions made by envelopes and standing orders from January to December 2023.The money that we receive from HMRC, completely free of charge, is vital to the parish finances and relies on the congregations from both St.James%u2019 and St.Saviour%u2019s informing me that they pay income tax.I would be grateful therefore if everyone who pays income tax double checks that any donations they make to the church are properly Gift Aided. It is also just as important that anyone who, due to change in employment/personal circumstances, does now not pay income tax also lets me know so we don%u2019t claim in error.It would also help if anyone who regularly uses the yellow %u201cone off%u201d Gift Aid donation envelopes, located at the back of both churches, considers giving by way of the weekly envelope scheme or by standing order.The boxed sets of envelopes are available to any member of either congregation and are available from myself or any of the church wardens.Another way of contributing, whether you pay income tax or not, is by a standing order directly from your bank, again just ask myself or one of the wardens for details.If you require any further information about the weekly envelope scheme, paying by standing order or Gift Aid in general please speak to me in church or telephone 01706 845555 or mobile 07746 731591. Lynn Briercliffe