By Hayley Beckett on 12th November 2024
EBA Council Summary 2 November 2024
EBA Trustees – with three apologies – met for the EBA Council meeting on 2 November 2024.
Lou Webber (EBA Moderator) welcomed everyone. In opening the meeting Lou read from Isaiah 43:15-21 “A new start” She highlighted that in this passage God reminds us of what has been but then says forget that because God is a God of a new thing. This should encourage us to live hopefully, be attentive and alert to all that God is doing. Lou then opened in prayer
As is customary for the November meeting of council, The secretary lead trustee training focusing on “The importance of strategy” reminding trustees of their trustee responsibility according to the Charities Act of a charity delivering its purpose and their duty as a director according to the Companies Act of promoting the success of the company. The training included questions about the Strategy of the EBA and how we develop a robust framework in which to function.
The council was brought up to date with 3 outstanding matters from previous meetings, which included an update on the group reflecting on regional minister appointment processes across the Union, a recent meeting of the EBA Justice Hub and Claire brought the council up to date on where the association has got to on delivering on its responses to the project Violet research. Claire had added the “Commitment to action report” a national document presented at BU Council to the council papers and encouraged trustees to read through this. Claire thanked the trustees for being willing to go on this journey and for their engagement. Progress reports will return to BU council in October 2025 to review progress.
On an EBA level the team have identified 3 new individuals to attend the next Magnify You programme this will start with an initial meeting in March 2025 with the programme starting in September 2025. Claire and David will be having a termly progress meeting and will report to council following this meeting each term.
Hayley Beckett (EBA Company Secretary) brought the Governance Report which highlighted the gaps we currently have these include, co-options for trustees, a safeguarding trustee and representatives on BMS council of reference.
David Mayne (RMTL) Presented the team report, the regional ministers have all been out and about visiting churches and ministers which included a lot of Inductions and Ordinations over the last few weeks. The minister’s conference 2025 is already over 2/3 booked which has been encouraging.
David then presented strategic priorities for 2025 which fall under the following four headings
The council agreed to these as priorities for 2025.
Within the team report Vicky Baker had provided for council a copy of the “Taking the pulse of ministry research” that the CYF round table had focused on when they met in October. The council were encouraged to read the report.
Richard Lewis (EBA Treasurer) presented the financial position for the first 9 months of 2024 remarking that the picture is as forecast – but just because we are not surprised by the figures does not take away the seriousness of the situation currently find ourselves in – decreasing income and increasing expenditure.
Within the report Richard presented the budget for 2025 again remarking that we are agreeing to a deficit budget which is something the trustees need to take seriously. The budget was agreed.
Finally, stipends were reviewed, and it was agreed that stipends would raise in line with the percentage increase set by the Baptist Union. Trustees also agreed to increase the multiplier on regional minister stipends in line with other associations. The RMTL’s stipend will be BUGB standard stipend multiplied by 1.5 and RM’s stipends will be BUGB standard stipend multiplied by 1.3. Trustees also agreed to an additional increase to for the secretary to reflect the higher level of training and expertise that has been gained.
David Mayne (Interim Safeguarding Trustee) presented the report from Gillian Jones (EBA Safeguarding Lead). It was noted that her time has been busy and, in some cases, frustrating as occasionally individuals do not act in appropriate ways when facing safeguarding concerns. Trustees appreciate all that Gillian does and the way she supports the churches in the association. Gillian is attending the minister’s conference, and the team will consider how to make the best of that opportunity.
The council agreed a role description for a PA to the team leader and this vacancy will be advertised in the next few days.
David Mayne (RMTL) was invited to speak introducing proposed changes to the association, Part of the job description when David was appointed included bringing about change to the association. A year into the role David presented to council 4 areas that he sees are important to bring about the change needed.
A written paper was submitted to the council prior to the meeting as an introduction containing further information than captured below. Trustees split into groups to consider these 4 proposals.
Introduction of Areas-
Proposal: That we formally introduce Areas, which will be the main way our geographical Associating finds expression
Development of Networks
Proposal: To give more intentional expression to connecting people across the Association who are ministering in similar contexts or facing similar challenges.
Removal of Task Groups
Proposal: To remove the reference to specific Task Groups in relation to EBA Council
Establishment of Council of Reference
Proposal: To involve wider participation in significant discussions of the Association by bringing in people from each of the newly established Areas for consultation and conversation.
After discussion and feedback the council did not feel ready to accept or approve these at this stage but further thought and information would be gathered before the council meet again in January 2025.
The meeting closed in prayer.
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