ST STEPHEN WALBROOK
PCC Priorities - March 2014
Action
Status
Future Mission and Ministry at SSW + Possible Partnership
Open the church for longer hours
Review and keep updated the SSW website
Information on church/leaflets/brochure/postcards/activities
Underway
Underway
Underway
Ongoing development
Strategy for businesses
More bible studies (SPA)
Welcome people from pavement/advertising
Pew bibles
Relationship with the Chinese Church
Refresh links with the Samaritans
LIC link ‘Prayer Partner’ scheme. PCC to join then more
If and when money becomes available and/or the future is better known
Expand use of the building
Board for prayer requests
Explanation of LIC with terminal
Glass doors and other re-ordering/repair
Notice boards outside (eg. Service today at 12.45)
Morning/Evening Service
Underway
Completed
Underway
Partly completed
In preparation
Completed
Capital Programme – March 2014
1. Roof – clerestory walls Priority
Estimated cost: [40K] 2014
Rather less than half of this work has been completed so far See accompanying note.
2. Roof – asphalt covering Priority
Estimated cost: [26K] 2014
The asphalt covering to the South West quadrant of the roof and above the West entrance is
exhausted and needs to be replaced. The plan is to replace it with copper sheet, which will provide
a much longer and more robust solution for these areas. Other parts of the roof are already
covered in copper where appropriate.
3. Insulation of front entrance Priority
Estimated cost: [55K] 2014
In the winter months there is a howling draught funnelled through the main entrance porch and up
into the main body of the church. To remedy this, improving comfort and reducing heating
expense, it is proposed to install toughened glazing and replace the Victorian doors at the top of
the steps with glass doors. The DAC has welcomed the concept and encouraged the drawing-up
and submission of detailed plans. Heating review underway.
4. Vestry
Priority
Estimated cost: [80K] 2014
Modern accretions to the panelling and cabling and asbestos found under part of the panelling
have been removed. The floor and ceiling have to be replaced, heating and electrics brought up to
date, re-panelling done, and new furniture provided. A detailed specification still has to be drafted
and agreed. Trial of revised lay-out to take place shortly.
5. Crypt lavatories & kitchen
Priority
Estimated cost: [60K] 2014/15
Present facilities are inadequate for the events staged in the church. The plan is for the kitchen to
be moved within the crypt and improved. The previous site and that of the two old WCs will be
used to modernise and double the lavatory accommodation. Detail under discussion.
6 Crypt – completion of renovation
Estimated cost: [35K] 2015/16
The renovation of the choir vestry, storage room and cupboards, lighting and electrical circuitry will
need to be undertaken as a separate project after project no.5 is completed.
7. Stripping out remaining trunking
Estimated cost: [20K] 2015
Superfluous metal trunking remaining from a previous but now redundant air conditioning system
has been removed so far as that can be done readily. There remain other sections which still
obstruct the best use of the limited space available and require a more major operation to remove.
8. Roof and tower access
Estimated cost: [85K] 2015
Better access to the roof and tower is needed. The concept is to provide a staircase from the
vestry lobby through the ceiling to the external landing, with a new covering and ladder access to
the main roof level. The present doorways to the spiral staircase/organ loft and tower room (which
now open onto the outside landing) would remain but then allow dry access without using the
narrow spiral stairs from the Vestry.
9. Tower room
Estimated cost: [55K] 2015/16
There is very limited ancillary space in the church for meetings and administration. This room is at
present unusable because of limited access. After the completion of projects 7 and 8 it can be put
in order to be used as an additional office and/or meeting room.
10. Fire & smoke detection system
Estimated cost: n/k 2016
Such a system is needed, but the expense of installing it would not be justified until the major
projects listed above are complete. A fire inspection in February may result in interim measures.
11. Spire repairs
Estimated cost: n/k 2016
Inspection from cherrypicker in February and April 2014 showed need for pointing and stone
treatment.
12. Heating system
Estimated cost: n/k 2017
By this time it is expected that the interior of the church will be looking dowdy and need
refreshment. Extensive scaffolding will be required.
13. Internal redecoration
Estimated cost: [130K] 2017
The present two gas-fired boilers will require replacement and the arrangements for delivering
heat in the church will need to be overhauled. Heating review underway.
14. Disabled access to churchyard
Estimated cost: [50K] 2018
Plans for this access (which would allow disabled access to the church for the first time) were
submitted as part of the planning for the (now completed) Churchyard Garden refurbishment but
rejected by the City planners. As an alternative It is now proposed to incorporate into the steps to
the Churchyard Garden a mechanical device similar to the Sesame System installed at St Mary le
Bow. The cost estimate is on that basis.
15. Organ refurbishment
See Review & Report of 12th January 2011
Estimated cost: [50K] 2019
16. Bell refurbishment
Estimated cost: [15K+] 2020
See Whitechapel Bell Foundry Report of 21st March 2012. The bell currently in use was cast by
the Foundry in 1601: there is a second (smaller) bell in the tower which could be brought back into
use. Both require extensive cleaning and renovation for which they will need to be removed from
the tower. Removal will be via the louvred windows and external mobile crane.
Footnotes:
1.
Cost estimates include Professional Fees of 10% and VAT at 20%.
2.
Figures in square brackets subject to confirmation with Quantity Surveyor.
3.
Additional spending on regular maintenance is estimated as £8K per annum at
2012 prices.
4.
Next Quinquennial Inspection 2014-15.
5.
tbc = to be confirmed.
6.
Priority
Confirmed at PCC meeting 19 February 2014