Property Update

A brief special meeting of the Mint Church Council was held after Sunday morning worship on Sunday 18 December, in order to address some urgent property issues. These issues arose as a result of (a) the Statutory Periodic Inspection of the electrical installations (October 2011), (b) the Quinquennial Inspection of the Mint premises (November 2011) and (c) a report on dry rot in the Wesley room (December 2011).

a. Electrics

A considerable number of electrical issues (a proportion of them relatively minor, but all needing attention) had been identified. The meeting agreed unanimously that all these specified works should be proceeded forthwith by MAT Electrics, and that “delegated powers be given to the Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary of the Property Sub-Group in agreement with the Chair of the Finance Sub-Group and Church Treasurer to approve or decline any additional works arising from further information of Code 4 items”

b. Dry Rot

Following the discovery of dry rot in the Wesley Room, immediate action had already been taken prior to the meeting to contain and stablize the situation in the short term. Discussion centred on the best way to ensure permanent solution to the problem, as a result of which it was unanimously agreed “(i) that further investigation be carried out to identify treatment and rectification options, (ii) that delegated authority be given to the Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary of the Property Sub Group in agreement with the Chair of the Finance Sub Group, the Church Treasurer and in consultation with John White, to scope, negotiate and commission from an appropriate contractor and at an acceptable cost rectification works, taking into account the issues raised by the Church Council and (iii) to provide a report to the Church Council covering the actions taken”

c. Minor Works

A quotation was accepted for various minor works – provision of (a) pigeon spikes on the Mint Lane elevation, (b) ground bolts to enable Mint Lane gates to be secured, and (c) a loft hatch from the Epworth Room into the roof space above