Michael Ward expresses concern over the state of affairs at Walsingham. As he has no official status other than as Chair of the Appeals Committee he cannot interfere. Have asked Michael Wingate for his observation on overspending on the Appeal. "I do not think you could find a worse combination to manage a complex organisation than two schoolmasters!"
Ward Gethin & CoManagement
64 Archive Record results for Management
Contents:
Site of Shrine
The Hostel or Pilgrim Bureau
The Control of the Shrine and Hostel: The Hostel; Shrine Appeal and Capital Expenditure
Schedule A: Advances to Walsingham as at 31 December 1971
Schedule B: Walsingham [Usage Statistics 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971]
Schedule C: Operating Results of the Hostel/Shrine - 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971
Refers to a Report received by Bishop Clark on 14 May 1975 (a confidential report available to Council members). The terms of reference are to be discussed in the first meeting of the Council of the Shrine on 29 November 1978.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Story about the Red Mount Chapel in King's Lynn shoudl be taken over nby West Norfolk District Coiouncil.
Eastern Daily PressContract between Society of Mary and the Diocese of East Anglia for the administration of the Shrine concludes on 6 December. New one needs negotiating or Marist Society withdraw. Bishop and Director greed that three priests needed in running the Shrine. Provides details of scope and work for each. Marist Sisters' role needs to be reviewed too. Changes in role and numbers over time needs to be reviewed. Lists some of the work done by Sacristan / Guestmistress / Office / Shrine Sister. Parish commitment in this should not be overlooked. Growing numbers of Catholics in the area plus the retired Parish priest has not been replaced. A deacon can do some but not all.
Allen, Peter Rev SM BA MThMichael Wingate writing to Michael Ward: responding to a letter of 15 April requesting observations on overspend. An annotated list of designated gifts provided to Stan Tucker who collated them all into one total sum. Duplication of items lead to Clive [Birch] believing they were covered by a gift and ordering them. The underlying reason for the confusion is that no-one is responsible for cost management. Contracted costs have been successfully controlled but such peripheral items incur additional costs or a commissioned on a time charge basis.
Additionally there have been two major plan changes. Also expected to fit-out in a more lavish way than expected. It all comes back to nobody assuming responsibility for overall expenditure.
Responding to request for observations on overspend. Describes lumping together of disparate costs led to a misunderstanding about the status of gifts and instructions for work [when no funds present]. Reason is a confusion over responsibility for cost management. Contract costs are controlled but receive instructions for peripheral items one by one.
Taking a longer view the original concept of a simple and spartan place of peace has been overtaken by pressure to fit out in a more lavish style. It was also though that full use would be made of existing ecclesiastical paraphernalia but was replaced by requests for new equipment. This was variously constrained within existing costs or the system of "designated gifts" was developed to cover extra expenses deemed to be irresistible. His office thought the system was working but if not then it goes to the earlier point of nobody taking responsibility for checking overall expenditure.
"Private & Confidential"
Introduction
1.1 Organisation and Staffing chart
1.2 Departmental Managers' responsibilities
1.3 Suggestions for improvement of operations
2.1 Income and Expenditure 1981
2.2 Salaries and Wage Rates
2.3 Suggestions for cost reductions 1982
3.1 Current financial situation
Very worried about the state of affairs at Walsingham. With no official status, except as Chair of the Appeal Committee, he cannot interfere. However have asked Michael Wingate for his observations - last paragraph in his letter (attached) points to the management problem.
Ward, Michael R W (1930-1995)Asking for a booklet and/or advice on responsibilities for school repairs.
Parkin, AnthonyComposition of first Council:
Bp Alan Clark - Bishop of East Anglia (Chairman)
Bp James McGuiness - Bishop of Nottingham
Bp Joseph Cleary - Auxiliary in Birmingham
Rt Rev Mgr E McBride - Vicar General, East Anglia
Very Rev Fr Henry Graystone SM - Provincial of the Marist Congregation
Very Rev Canon Noel Burditt - Northampton
Very Rev Canon Wilfrid Smith - Birmingham
Very Rev Mgr Anthony Stark - Master of the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom
Rev Clive Birch - Director Designate
Sister Kathleen Caulfield SM - Provincial of the Marist Sisters
Sister Kathleen Moran - Pro-Administrator
Mrs Mary Pyne
Mr Michael Ward - East Anglia
Mr Adrian Kellett - Est Anglia
Mr D Morgan - Walsingham Association
Acting Secretary - Rev John Hawkes - Westminster
Treasurer- Rev Peter Wilson - East Anglia
Two resolutions:
- "The Shrine Council seeks to develop the National Shrine of Our Lady at the Slipper Chapel and that an architect be briefed to draw up plans for the completion of the Outside Altar, an extension to the covered areas and to take immediate steps to block the prevailing winds and rain."
- Bishop Clark should appoint a steering committee from the Council to consider the architect's report and plan."
Matters arising:
a. no more heard about threatened legal action
b. Anglican service televised from Chapel of Reconciliation
c. No further bills from Architects
d. gas cooker not replaced; pricing gun bought
e. Fr Birch accountable for finance to Bishop and Diocese; Director's office being provided
Financial Statement 1981-1982
Additional Urgent Works
Appointment of Manager - seven applicants
Sale of Properties
AoB
John Hawkes, the Bursar is at the point of resigning - it is impossible for him to apply financial controls when the staff go over his head to Clive [Fr Birch, Shrine Administrator]. Last straw was an invoice for £4,000 for the repository which already holds £20,000 of stock. Given that the Executive had spelt out no more expense one can understand John's feelings. Several issues identified; definite restraint needs to be applied to the shrine set-up.
McBride, Edward Rev (1919-2011)Introduction - last meeting start to deal with legal problems in status of Meryemana as a company and registered charity being intertwined with the Guild. Duplication of Appeal committee and Foundation committee
Proposals - 7 off
Responsibilities of Meryemana Council - Policy, Finance, Meryemana Centre, Council members and Officers, Members, staff
Responsibility of Appeal Committee
Responsibility of Guild Committee
Fr Connelly made him redundant after a year's service without any advance warning or discussion. Major Steward had been granted leave and the letter arrived in the middle of that leave. He says the manner the notice was served was brutal and would expect more gentlemanly treatment from a member of the clergy. The matter deserves scrutiny. The organisation is an unhappy one and not fit for purpose. A young girl is to do his job which he considers will require outside support to just keep the books let alone manage the accounts. He suggests that the Administrator and Treasurer need report regularly through the Walsingham Trust to achieve a reasonable degree of consistency.
Steward, Campbell MajorDocument 1, 3 pages: Lease of Red Mount Chapel, The Walks, King's Lynn, Norfolk. Signature of the deputy Town Clerk
Document 2, 2 pages: The Management and Maintenance of the Red Mount Chapel. To be read in conjuction with the Lease dated 12 August 1968. Headings: Interpretation; Use of the Chapel: Religious uses, Non-religious use, Day to Day maintenance; The Restoration and major repairs to the fabric [committee structure], Financial.
The Bishop's first four nominees were:
Rev W G Bridge, All Saints Rectory, Goodwins Road, King's Lynn
The Honourable Mrs Rosemary Dawnay, Hillington Hall, Hillington, Kin'g Lynn
Donovan Purcell, Esq. FRIBA
Alderman J A Claxton
"Instrument of Management made by the Minister of Education under Section 17(2) of the Education Act 1944."
Headings: Interpretations; Body of Managers; Term of Office; Employees not to be Managers; Managers not to be financially interested in the School; First Managers and Meetings; Determination of managership; Vacancies; Casual Vacancies; Chairman; Convening of Meetings; Record of Managers present at Meetings; Minutes of Meetings; Date of Instrument; Schedule.
Schedule names Beccles and Bungay RC Schools
Instrument of Management made by the Minister of Education under section 17(2) of the Education Act, 1944.
Headings: Interpretations; Body of Managers; term of Office; First Managers and Meeting; Managers not to be financially interested in the school; Determination of Managership; Vacancies; Casual vacancies; Employees not to be Managers; Chairman; Record of Managers present at Meetings; Minutes of Meetings; Rescinding Resolutions; Adjournment of Meetings; Meetings of Managers; Convening of Meetings; Application of Scheme fo Divisional Administration; Date of Instrument.
Policy statement about safe working conditions
Birch, Clive Rev SM LGSMReferring to the annual catholic pilgrimages to the Red Mount Chapel from 1897. Like to see the chapel restored. Proposes a 50-year lease to Bishop of Northampton to aid restoration. Appendix A - details agreement; Appendix B details work needing doing.
Bishop supports this but he's not yet spoken to his parish committee.