Leeds Methodist Mission Management Committee Preliminary Business Minutes of the meeting held at Oxford Place Centre 4th July 2011 1. Opening devotions were led by the Revd Adrian Burdon 2. Welcome and attendance: the Revd Adrian Burdon welcomed everyone to the meeting. (i) (ii) Present: Mrs Ann Bailey, Mr Paul Berry, the Revd Adrian Burdon (Chair), the Revd Pat Creamer, Mr Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Mrs Gill Jewell, Deacon Jenny Jones, Mr Bernard Neville, the Revd Caroline Ryder, Mr Kenneth Tait (Secretary) Apologies were received from: the Revd Philip Bee, Mrs Christine Butler, Miss Marjorie Cossey, the Revd Robert Creamer, Mr John Goacher, Mr Anthony Hyett, Mr Rob Lolley, Mr Andy Poole, Mrs Gwen Pridmore, the Revd Liz Smith, Mr John Witt. (iii) Absent: Ms Jane Aitchison, Dr Robin Carmichael, the Revd Darren Garfield 3. Minutes of the previous meeting (11th April 2010): The minutes were signed by the Chair as a correct record. 4. Matters arising from the previous minutes: It was agreed that all matters arising (except for item 8 (v) should be deferred to the next meeting. Anything arising from 8 (v) would be taken under the main agenda item. 5. Service Charges to Tenants: It was agreed that this matter be referred to the Finance and Property Committee. Main Business 6. Conversation concerning the Lounge Café (i) Adrian Burdon reported that following from the committee s decision at the previous meeting the Lounge Café had been closed at the end of May 2011. The manager, Mrs Angela... had been given due notice and had been made redundant. On 8th June 2011 a letter was sent to all committee members. The content of the letter was: Subsequent to the decision taken at the last meeting of the Management Committee, the Lounge Café at Oxford Place closed and the manager was made redundant from the end of May. I am now in a position to tell you about the future exciting development of this important aspect of our mission and ministry. I have successfully negotiated for the Leeds Methodist Mission to work in partnership with the Nurture project which operates out of St George s Crypt. Nurture is a social enterprise scheme started to assist marginalised individuals back into society and work. They achieve this by helping people get a sense of achievement by carrying out work activities. This enables people to build a sense of self worth and also give them a connection to the community they are working to be part of. This work also enables people who have either never worked or who have been out of work for some time to gain work experience. Nurture is a professionally managed catering project which works in St George s Crypt. The proposed scheme is that Leeds Methodist Mission work as a partner of Nurture and that we will 1/8
LMM Management Committee 4th July 2011 (Draft) work with them to reopen, staff and manage the Lounge Café. The financial deal is that all costs will be absorbed within the project and we shall share the profits between the Leeds Methodist Mission and the Nurture project at the end of each year. This is a fantastic opportunity which will enhance our engagement with the mission of the church in the city centre. We discussed the details of the proposal at the Finance and Property subcommittee which met on 6 June and resolved that it is a good deal and one which we cannot afford to pass up on. I am therefore writing to all members of the Management Committee to seek your endorsement of this work and agreement that we engage in this partnership. Members of the committee were invited to make responses by 19th June. In the light of positive responses from the committee steps have been and are being taken to take the proposal forward. (ii) Adrian then took the committee through the following statement of the present situation inviting questions and comments at each stage. [Comments and clarifications are given in italics at the end of the relevant section.] [A] [B] The Purpose of the Leeds Methodist Mission The Leeds (Mission) Circuit is a single-church circuit with its mission focussed on the City Centre of Leeds and upon the Universities in Leeds. Within the context of the calling and priorities of the Methodist Church, it is our purpose to be a place of Christian worship, witness and service within the centre of Leeds. Our calling is to respond, with practical expressions of the love of Christ, to the needs of all who will come onto the premises and to reach out beyond our building. Our aim is to proclaim the Gospel, in word and deed, within the context of Leeds city centre. We engage in this mission and ministry through our work through the Person-to-Person listening service, through the Oxford Place Lounge Cafe and by being present and available in the premises at Oxford Place. We engage with this mission through our work of chaplaincy at the Universities, as well as in the retail sector and law courts. We continue to reflect upon our place in the city centre and to engage with the life of the city in all its fullness, working with ecumenical partners, people of other faiths and civic authorities as opportunities arise. St George s Crypt St George s Crypt is a Christian Charity based underneath the thriving church of St George s, Leeds. It has been providing care and support for homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged people since 1930. Don Robins first opened the doors of the Crypt to alleviate the considerable distress of many who found themselves with next to nothing as a result of the Great Depression. Don Robins, the founder of St George s Crypt, spoke these words 80 years ago (15th June 1930) as part of his first evening sermon. It is as fresh and relevant today as it was then. Here, in the heart of a great city, full of men and women needing God and seeking the answer to the mystery of life, it is for us to make this place both a beacon and a refuge to the hard-pressed wayfaring man on the road of life,. St George s must be a Church wherein may be found the life of a Christian family, not as a theory, but as a living fact. 2/8
LMM Management Committee 11th April 2011 It must touch life at all points and, in all its doings, bear the hallmark of reality. It must be broad in its outlook and rich in its experience. It must take all that is good and true, all that is capable of lifting men to God, whether it be old or new, and it must offer all things thankfully to the glory of God and the succour of His children. The building up of a Church able to fulfil so great a calling must be the task of all, not of just a few devoted workers. It will call for the ideals and energy of the young, just as it will call for the wisdom and the endurance of the aged. It is going to demand sacrifices of time, of thought and of money if this Church is to take in the life of this city that place to which it is most certainly being called of God. But I believe with all my heart that, under God, it can be done, though it is as great a call as has ever been made of any of us. The tasks that confront us are enormous, but the strength of those who trust God is unlimited. I pledge myself that as far as in me lies, where the battle is hottest and the work is hardest, there you will always find me. To you all I look for eager, adventurous cooperation, deep fellowship and willing sacrifice. Should I look for less, when the cause is so great and it is God who calls? [C] [D] Nurture at St George s Crypt Nurture at St George s Crypt is a Community Interest Company which is working in partnership with the Pret-a-Manger Foundation to enable men and women who have been homeless and unemployed to find a way back into work. Some of the trainees on the Nurture project are on day release from prison. There are two aspects to the work of Nurture at St George s Crypt, one being horticulture and the other being catering. The first stage of the catering project brings men and women to work within the crypt café which services the needs of the visitors to the crypt and is the base for their outside catering business. The Lounge Café fits within the vision as a training kitchen and café. The Lounge Café will be staffed by trainees who have spent at least six months working in the project at the Crypt. This will be the first time that they will meet members of the public and paying customers. The aim of the project is that suitable trainees will go on to internships with Pret-a-Manger shops and onward from there into full-time employment in the food service industry. Those who will staff the Lounge Café will have been working at St George s. They will also have had relevant training to NVQ level. They will have received this training either at St George s or during their time in prison. Statement of purpose for the Relationship The Leeds Methodist Mission has always had a concern for those who find life challenging. We stand within the great Methodist tradition of social holiness, reaching out from worship into service. It is clear that in our concern to proclaim the Gospel, in word and deed, within the context of Leeds city centre, we do have a common agenda, a mutual calling and shared ideal, with the mission and ministry of St George s Crypt. In envisioning the redevelopment of the Lounge Café it is acknowledged that this work is one of the named activities which is central to our expression of our mission and ministry. It is through the Lounge Café that men and women are brought into the premises at Oxford Place. It is through the ministry which takes place once they have come to us that we hope to demonstrate our purpose of proclaiming the Gospel in word and deed with the context of Leeds city centre. The work of the Lounge Café is a crucial aspect of the work of the Leeds Methodist Mission which, in conjunction with other important 3/8
LMM Management Committee 4th July 2011 (Draft) expressions of mission and ministry, both within and outside Oxford Place, expresses our reason for being. It is, therefore, proposed to enter into a relationship with Nurture at St George s Crypt to redevelop the work of mission and ministry within the Lounge Café at Oxford Place. The project will be identified within the Community Interest Company as Nurture at Oxford Place. This will not be a separate company, but a device for identifying the work which will take place and a mechanism for giving account of the project. Nurture at St George s Crypt have established relationships and partnerships with a number of external professional organisations. These are supportive of the development of the work at Oxford Place and will be available for giving appropriate encouragement and advice as the work develops. Two of the particularly active partners are the Pret-a-Manger Foundation who offer practical assistance to the project and Yorkshire Bank who give significant business management support to the work. The staff (paid and voluntary) of Nurture are professionals in their own right, bringing relevant experience and skills to the project. (See [J] below) [E] [F] [G] The Financial Basis of the Relationship For accounting purposes, income and expenditure associated with the work in the Lounge Café at Oxford Place will be identified within the accounts of Nurture at St George s Crypt as Nurture at Oxford Place. All costs associated with the kitchen and Lounge Café will be the responsibility of Nurture at St George s Crypt, this will include the cost of utilities and sundry expenses such as running costs/contracts on the dishwasher and other equipment. It is agreed that the end of year profit (or loss) will be split 50/50 between Nurture at St George s Crypt and the Leeds Methodist Mission. Concern was expressed at the possibility of the project making a loss. It was thought that this was unlikely. It was also stated that without the cost of a paid manager the Oxford Place Lounge Café would have broken even. As the management costs of the new project were borne entirely by Nurture then the risk of a loss was slight. Insurance The Methodist Insurance Company have been consulted. Nurture at St George s Crypt is responsible for all insurance matters concerning the Lounge Café, kitchen and store rooms associated with the work when they are in use for the purposes of this project. Nurture at St George s Crypt is responsible for insurance cover relating to volunteers and employees whilst on the Oxford Place premises. Nurture at St George s Crypt is responsible for all public liability insurance relating to the Lounge Café and kitchen. The Leeds Methodist Mission management committee is responsible for ensuring sight of certificates of insurance to ascertain compliance with this direction. Leeds Methodist Mission retains liability for the premises when they are not operating as Nurture at St Georges Crypt or Nurture at Oxford Place. The division of responsibility between Leeds Mission Circuit and Nurture as far as insurance claims were concerned is that while the Lounge Café is operating Nurture s insurers are responsible for what happens in the areas used by the café and Leeds Mission Circuit s insurers for rest of the premises and the whole premises when the café is not operating.(this is exactly the same as for the tenants in the building.) Ownership of the Lounge Café and kitchen Whilst the work which takes place within the Lounge Café and kitchen is the work of Nurture at St George s Crypt the premises remain under the ownership of the Leeds Methodist Mission. This is a partnership of Christian organisations who have a common agenda, a mutual calling and shared ideal of mission and ministry. It is agreed that all equipment and property of the project is available for use on those occasions when the Oxford Place Methodist Church, Leeds (Mission) Circuit have use of the Lounge Café and kitchen. 4/8
LMM Management Committee 11th April 2011 In recent weeks members of the Leeds Methodist Mission have recognised that the Lounge Café has been given a significant make-over. It must be confirmed that this is a cost-neutral development, the furnishings and equipment that have been placed in the Lounge Café have all been donated to St George s Crypt. The managing trustees of the Leeds (Mission) Circuit and Oxford Place Methodist Church have not been exposed to any financial liability. If the project does not proceed then the crypt will simply remove their property and we will be left with a painted wall! Should equipment fail during the project and be replaced then if the project comes to an end who owns the equipment. It was suggested that this would be a matter of negotiation. It was agreed that an inventory of existing equipment be made. It was thought that this would cover a small number of items. [H] [I] [J] Staffing and Management The Lounge Café and kitchen will be staffed by a team of trainees appointed by Nurture at St George s Crypt. These trainees are volunteers who have an apprenticeship contract with Nurture at St George s Crypt. Some of the staff of Nurture at St George s Crypt are on day release from prison, working both in a voluntary capacity and as paid employees as part of the prison resettlement programme. One of the workers in the Lounge Café is a qualified chef and will be paid accordingly. That worker will not, however, have managerial responsibility for the work on the Lounge Café or any supervisory role with the trainees. The work of the Lounge Café and kitchen will be managed by the management team of Nurture at St George s Crypt. The Superintendent Minister, Deacon, Administrator and Circuit/Church stewards will have no management responsibility for the staff or work Lounge Café or kitchen. A regular meeting will take place between the staff of the Leeds Methodist Mission and the management of the Nurture project in order to maintain communications between the two groups. The Methodist procedure for dealing with CRB checks involves both the superintendent and district and connexional safeguarding advisers. A request will be made to see CRB checks carried out by Nurture and the District Safeguarding Adviser had indicated that this should not be refused. The number of staff working in the café at Oxford Place at any time will vary. Concern was expressed at the possibility of vulnerable adults or children being isolated/unsupervised in a separate room or space. It was pointed out that there would always be a team of people working in the café with supervision. Opening hours In the first instance it is expected that the Lounge Café will be open from 10am until 3pm. If the proposed date of opening of the Lounge Café is realised, the Lounge Café will remain open during the month of August. Marketing and target customers St George s Crypt have members of staff who are experts in their own professional fields, including Public Relations and Marketing. Nurture at St George s Crypt are working with these professional members of their team to develop the project. It is the intention of the project that they begin where we are and acknowledge the loyal customers who have been coming to the Lounge Café over the years. It must be acknowledged though, that this loyal customer base is not large enough to sustain the work evidence in our having to close the Lounge Café as our own work. Recognising the nature of the local neighbourhood, Nurture at St George s Crypt are marketing the work amongst the legal offices with which we are surrounded. Whilst retaining something of the original ethos, the project will develop a parallel ethos which will attract customers from this broader base. It is also envisioned that there will be increased work with tenants in the building, maybe offering a delivery service to the offices in the Gallery and Chambers. Catering for sessional bookings will form an integrated part of the work of the Lounge Café maybe actually being serviced from the facility in St George s Crypt. 5/8
LMM Management Committee 4th July 2011 (Draft) [K] [L] [M] [N] Some particular Methodist issues The Methodist Church has a number of regulations which limit what activities may take place within Methodist Church premises. It is well that the Nurture project are aware of these. Alcohol may not be brought onto Methodist premises and may not be sold or drunk. (SO922) All forms of Gambling are prohibited, including raffles and other similar innocent appearing fund-raising activities (SO 924/925/927). Party-political activities may not be enacted on Methodist premises (SO921) although this does not preclude that wider group of activities that may be deemed political. Church Friends The members of the church are invited to participate in the work of the Lounge Café as friends to the staff and customers. It is envisaged that people volunteering to be friends will receive appropriate training. The vision is that they will establish friendships with the trainees and provide an aspect of stability which has often been lacking in the lives of the trainees. The secondary role of the friends will be to welcome customers, talk to them and listen to them, explaining the nature of the project where appropriate. People volunteering to undertake this role must undergo appropriate CRB checks and the various Creating Safer Space training modules. When would friends or mentors be able to begin? The detail of this had still to be explored and could depend on the number who volunteer to take this role. This was a means by which the people of Oxford Place could have ownership in the project. Safeguarding The Leeds (Mission) Circuit, Oxford Place Methodist Church, Nurture at St George s Crypt, Nurture at Oxford Place and all people associated with this project must comply with Safeguarding Adults: Policy for the Methodist Church (2010) and Safeguarding Children and Young People: Policy for the Methodist Church (Revised edition 2010) and all future developments of those policies. The Methodist Church takes very seriously the safety of all people who come onto Methodist premises for whatever reason. We take especially seriously all matters concerning the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All people working within the Lounge Café and Kitchen must have a satisfactory enhanced CRB check. Members of the congregation of Oxford Place Methodist Church, working within the Lounge Café, must additionally have undertaken Module A of the Creating Safer Space training and any subsequent training that may be introduced for people working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. Several conversations have taken place with the Connexional Safeguarding Adviser around the issues raised in this project. A Safeguarding risk assessment is in hand and will be performed by the Safeguarding Advisers of the Leeds District and the York & Hull District of the Methodist Church. The appropriate authorities from the Prison Service will undertake their own assessment of the project and premises and will give advice as to relevant practices and protocols for working with day release residents from that institution. Some procedural stuff Getting the project to this position has been quite complicated. Consultations have taken place with Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes and the District Secretary for Property Consents in order to identify any need for the use of property consents process. It has been agreed that this is not necessary. It has, however, been agreed that as the District lay employment team will be consulted on all aspects of this scheme. The contents of this statement will be written into a letter which will be signed by the Rev Dr Adrian Burdon, Superintendent Minister of the Leeds (Mission) Circuit and the Rev Steve Dye, for the trustees of Nurture at St George s Crypt. 6/8
LMM Management Committee 11th April 2011 (iii) Adrian had received two emails: One from the Chair of District, the Revd Liz Smith, and the other from District development Enabler, Michael Noble, in his role as chair of the Leeds Mission Review Group. Adrian read each of these and this led to further discussion. The main points of that discussion were: (a) In response to the suggestion that any decision relating to the project should wait until the review was complete it was agreed that with the review taking months this was not practical. Nor did the meeting feel it necessary to await the review before deciding the future directions we cannot let the grass grow under our feet. (b) A business plan was being drawn up by the Yorkshire Bank. It was suggested that we ought to see this before proceeding. However, it might be sufficient to see how actual figures related to projected figures at the regular meetings between Leeds Mission Circuit and Nurture. Membership and frequency of these meetings had yet to be decided. The financial year of the Anglican Church was January to December and it was assumed that this would be true of Nurture. (c) Concerns about contravening employment law were answered by the fact the Leeds Mission Circuit is not employing anyone in the new project. (d) As far as the premises being closed during August, should the project begin before that, then the premises would remain open. The practice of closing during August was to give volunteers a break not staff some of whom would, in any case, be present throughout the month. (e) On the question of ownership of the project, the meeting felt that it did own it (see [L] above). (f) On the issue of the contribution in ministry (particularly in respect of the probation deacon) it was stated that the absence of a functioning café had made a big difference and that the sooner the new café opened the quicker things could get back to normal. (g) On the question of who the target market would be it was pointed out that Nurture brought expertise in this area and that it should not be a concern. (h) The absence of the superintendent (on exchange to Canada for six weeks) should not affect the opening of the new project as a deputy superintendent had been appointed (the Revd Caroline Ryder) and the meeting saw Oxford Place as operating as a team so that the absence of one member should have minimal effect. 7. Resolutions Resolution I: That the Leeds Mission Circuit proceed with the partnership project with Nurture. Proposed by: Irene Hebden; seconded by: Trevor Parker Agreed unanimously. Resolution II: When all safeguarding procedures have been completed, and enhanced CRB disclosures have been received and processed, an opening date for the project will be decided. Closing Devotions Proposed by: Irene Hebden; seconded by: Gill Jewell Agreed unanimously. The meeting closed with the saying of the Grace by all present. Notes 1. Emails: In addition to the two emails mentioned in 6(iii) several other messages were received commenting on the proposal. These messages form part of the above minutes. However these 7/8
LMM Management Committee 4th July 2011 (Draft) messages have not be distributed. Should any member of the committee wish to see these messages then please inform the secretary or the chair. 2. Planned meetings: Monday 3rd October 2011 at 7.30pm at Oxford Place Centre Monday 16th April 2012 at 7.30pm at Oxford Place Centre 8/8