Present: Pat Maguire (Clergy Chair), David Mason (Lay Chair)
Hugh Ashton
Warren Bardsley
Georgina Boyn
David Clarke
Michele Gerard
Sharon Greensmith
Jane Hardy
Roger Hartley
Judith Henshaw
Richard Henshaw
Brian Maguire
Gregory Platten
Delphine Preece
John Preece
Lilas Rawling (minutes)
Liz Ridler (treasurer)
Apologies: Linda Atkin, Lesley Bovington, Ted Green, Robert Mountford, Diana Pearson,
Peter Walker, Wendy Walker, Abbie Walsh
Geoffrey Platten gave an informative talk on his role as an Army Chaplain for the Army
Reserves, the successor to the Territorial Army.
1. The minutes of the previous AGM of 3 rd July 2022 were agreed as a correct record.
2. There were no matters arising.
3. Treasurer’s report given by Liz Ridler. The report is on the CTil website.
Proposed by Lilas Rawling, seconded by Hugh Ashton that the report be accepted.
Richard Henshaw proposed, seconded by Liz Ridler that Jemimah Reid be
reappointed as the inspector of the accounts, with grateful thanks to her. These
matters were both agreed by the meeting.
4. Safeguarding policy. CTiL did not have its own policy, but one had been requested
by one of the potential donors for a grant for CDT. Darrell Hays, the CTBI officer had
not been asked the question before by any other group but was happy that Lichfield
CTiL should use it as their template. This had been edited by Liz Ridler and adopted
by the Enabling Group, with the alteration that everywhere the word ‘children’ or
‘child’ appeared, ‘and vulnerable adult/s’ would be added. This was brought to the
Forum for information.
5. Website. The technology for the website needed upgrading. Peter Walker who deals
with it has informed CTiL that there were 2 options – transfer the existing website to
the new platform which would be more stable and secure, or have a new website
entirely.
Richard Henshaw proposed, seconded by Roger Hartley that it was transferred to the
new platform. The cost would be £150. Agreed by the meeting
6. Organisation reports.
i) Church of Sanctuary. Warren Bardsley said that the purpose of encouraging
organisations to sign up was to embed welcome and hospitality to refugees
and migrants settling in Lichfield. So far St. Chad’s, the Roman Catholic
churches, Wade Street, Methodists and the Mosque have signed up.
A further part of this was an appeal for cricket gear by Antony Narain as
Afghan refugees have been invited to play cricket for Whittington.
ii) School Uniform Bank. Places to collect uniform were being looked for. Ann
Hughes, the Mayor was holding a drop-in on July 25 th between 2 and 4 pm, so
that free school uniform could be collected by families.
iii) David Clarke, representing the new Food Bank chairman, reported that there
had been a 32% increase in demand from 1/4/23 to 30/6/23. Citizens Advice
for South East Staffordshire were present at 4 of the sessions a week to help
clients deal with underlying problems. There had been a 9% increase in
donations, but currently the Food Bank was spending between £1,000 and
£1,000 aa week to supplement the food donations. The Trussell Trust
provides a grant to assist with administration, but the Lichfield Foodbank is
the largest run by volunteers in Staffordshire.
7. Election of Officers. Before the AGM it was announced that David Mason would be
standing down from the role of Lay Co-chair and Lilas Rawling would be standing
down from the role of Minute Secretary. Lilas Rawling agreed to take on the role of
Lay Co-chair but no nominations were received for the role of Minute Secretary. All
other officers will continue in their current roles. Rev’d Abbie Walsh, Rector of St.
Michael’s and St. Mary’s, and Rev’d Sharon Greensmith, Master of St. John’s,
agreed to join the Enabling Group.
The meeting closed with all saying the Grace together.