1. Devotions Led by Neil

2. Attendance Evelyn Allen, Irene Benn, Revd Neil Bishop, Joyce Brown, Andrew Crossley, Revd Steve Day, Enid Harding, Harry Harding, Caroline Harding, Erica Hartley, Barbara Hartley, Helen Ingleby, Revd Tony Lee, Rae Naylor, Brenda Paterson, Graeme Patterson, Derek Rawden, Marian Spencer, Audrey Wilks.

Apologies Helen Bishop, Barbara Cavell, Geoff Ellis,Jean Griffin, Barbara Rawden, Barry Parker.

It was agreed to send a card to Barbara Cavell who is in hospital.

3. Minutes of the 7^th September meeting The minutes were agreed to be a true record.

4. Matters Arising

4.1 Missions' Linkperson – Still vacant.

4.2Circuit Weekend Away – This event is still to be planned.

4.3 Other matters arising – The outstanding quinquennials are in the process of being sorted out.

5. Finance

5.1 The accounts have been inspected. It was agreed to send the usual honorarium to the independent examiner. The budget for 2006/07 was presented. The budget for Ministers' travel looks low but can be revised. We are still waiting for the quinquennials to be done which is why the budget for that is so large, 2 of these will hopefully be done in the next year. We need to keep half of a year's running costs as reserves, but it was agreed that it is simpler to talk about what is in each account as opposed to what is supposed to 'reserves' and what is general funds.

5.2 Shares for each church. It was agreed from the budget to have 100 shares of £550 this year. Churches are asked to look at how many shares they would like to take. Beeston Hill has paid their outstanding assessment, which they thought had been paid. If they receive the grant from DAF then we will give then £670 per year for 3 years towards the work by Kidz Club which the grant is funding. Thanks were expressed to Erica for her work.

5.4 Connexional Funds Account. Nothing has been paid out yet this year but money has been received from 2 churches and the circuit service. Could the other churches please send their Connexional money to Harry? There is £874 in the account. Thanks were expressed to Harry for his work.

6. Property

6.1 Middleton Property Scheme – The scheme has been started with the hall. Nearly all the funding has been received. The final funding bid is going to the Big Lottery for the remaining £16,000.

6.2 Beeston Hill Property Scheme – The floor and security have been upgraded. But the building is not yet compliant with disability regulations and the roofing and windows need attention.

House on Park View – This has been refurbished with money from the sale of 2 of the houses which were bequeathed to Beeston Hill in the early 1900’s.

There has been difficulty managing the buildings, a request is going to the church council that Carol Normanton be paid to manage the buildings part time.

6.3 Beeston Wesley Street – The Church Council have agreed to close the building and sell the site, by a vote of 19 to 3. The congregation wish to stay together so they need to identify venues to rent or share. This is still in the early stages; they are looking at as many options as possible. They should be able to make a decision by early summer.

6.4 Quinquennials – Already discussed in 5.1

6.5 Valuation of manses and discussion of how to proceed after down-sizing – We don’t want to make a decision at the last minute so we have had both properties valued. 36 Cross Flatts Avenue is £165,000 - £190,000 and 176 Town Street £190,000 – £220,000. The extension at 36 Cross Flatts Ave has a crack in the plaster which will need looking at when the house is empty. This house is already manse specification but 176 Town Street would need a downstairs toilet and the kitchen and bathroom replacing. The leadership team was asked to consider how we would organise the changeover if we sold one of the houses.

7. Other Planning for Future Staffing

The Circuit Stewards are to do some preliminary work on the profile for a new minister and bring their recommendations to the leadership team.

7.1 Ecumenical working Ways of working more closely with the C of E parishes in Leeds 11 are still being explored. There is some shared work in Beeston & Middleton, including shared community work. The URC in Leeds South is probably out of the picture for the time being.

7.2 Managing our buildings as community resources A lot of work is being done fundraising and working with community groups at the moment. What would we do if the new minister was uncomfortable with all the work involved, such as networking, or did not have time to do it? They would certainly have to be more selective. Could we amalgamate work with other charities or make 1 charity for the circuit? There are some practical difficulties.

7.3 Property development Current issues should be sorted out before a single minister is in place.

7.4 Worship – We need to try and have a manageable Plan for one minister by the autumn.

Trinity would find it difficult to change their service times earlier but are willing to consider some change and more joint services.

St Andrew’s are happy to have an 11am service. They are looking at Fresh Expressions in addition.

Middleton would prefer to have an 11am service rather than an earlier one. They are willing to explore other types of worship. The local parish churches have been asked to lead 1 or 2 services a quarter which has already had an effect for the next plan.

Workshop Services could be planned regularly on a Sunday in the quarter (such as the first) to prepare for readings services to be held later, with the minister and local preachers resourcing the workshops. This will be tried before the autumn.

The evening worship is valued at Hunslet and if possible they would like to retain it. Revd Lee suggested that the ministers at Beeston Hill and Cottingley could help with these evening services.

7.5 There will be 2 services led by minister in the circuit on Chrismas Day. Each church is to decide if they want a Christmas Day service. Churches may have a readings service if there is not a minister available.

7.6 The support and training of lay volunteers, Very worth while. Churches are asked to let the ministers know what they would like to look at this year.

7.7 Community work in schools and other organisations outside the Church's control. It would depend on the minister and it was felt that the outside work was a beneficial change from circuit routine.

8. Circuit Stewards – The Circuit Stewards will be consulting the leadership team about the profile and would like as much help as possible.

9. Local Preachers' Meeting – The report on evangelism is commended to the meeting and churches are asked to take it to their meetings. Worship Leaders are invited to the next LPs' meeting.

10. Education & Youth – The sleepover etc. linked with ‘Pray Without Ceasing’ was surprisingly well attended. The next one is on Good Friday. There are now 2 extra leaders from Beeston Hill. Anyone 11+ is welcome. We are looking at working with younger children too, but it still needs to be planned. Steve was thanked paricularly for his commitment to the sleepovers.

11. What sort of Bishops? – It was suggested that this was discussed as part of the summer school.

12. Appointments

12.1 Circuit Invitation Committee – this will consist of the Circuit Leadership Team.

12.2 Synod

12.2.1 One circuit steward to serve on Synod - Margaret Hebden

12.2.2 Three other lay reps to Synod – Graeme Patterson and 2 vacancies. As no one volunteered, these places will go automatically to the other circuit stewards.

12.2.3 Nominations for members of the meeting who would like to be Synod-appointed for 3 years. – None.

13. AOB

13.1 Circuit safe – The safe at St Andrew's is full and it was suggested that we buy a new safe, but Hunslet said the Circuit papers might fit in their safe.

13.2 Rev Peter Pillinger, the Methodist Fresh Expressions Missioner, will be in the Leeds District on Tuesday 9^th May to meet those interested in or already involved in Fresh Expressions of Church.

13.3 Worship Resources – The Circuit was asked to buy equipment for use in worship to project power point on to screens. It would cost between £1,800 and £2,000 with screens costing a further £500. This was agreed. Revd Steve Day and Mr Andrew Crossley to action.

14. Date and venue of next meeting – 20^th June 2006 if needed and 6^th September 2006 at St Andrew’s.