In Salisbury again today with my colleague, Belinda, coming across from Dorking for a conference meeting in the afternoon on one of our health claims cases. The morning was spent in meetings with Serena looking at some employment contracts and dealing with some more drafting of letters. Lunch was a very hurried affair consisting of the sandwiches and yoghurts which Sara had packed. I did, however, manage to get to the bank before we started our meeting. I left the office at 5.30 p.m. and came home for a short while. Tom immediately started to talk about getting new TVs and Sky. Sara and I did say we would look into this but with so many other expenses recently it hasn't been top priority. I fear that more time will be taken up with staring at screens although I must admit I would like to have the convenience of watching top football on TV. Duncan can fit the cabling for the TVs in the Family Room and bedrooms although we may leave the cabling for Tom's room as that is the one that is likely to go if we extend the house as we are considering doing. Later this evening Sara and I researched the options for Sky and the TVs. I have left it for Sara to sort these things out. Tonight, having cancelled our house group, I attended a special meeting of the clergy and synod members at the Diocesan Education Centre off Devizes Road. Richard, Maxime and Debbie also attended. It was a presentation on the crisis affecting the clergy's current pension plan which is a non-contributory defined benefits scheme. There was a great deal of debate and the results will go before a special Synod Task Group. It was interesting to learn ho much the clergy receive as a stipend and the value placed on their free living accommodation. At a time when secular pension schemes are facing substantial changes, my own included, a group of us think that the clergy should not be buffered from these real challenges around them. No real conclusions were reached but the Task Group can take on board our thoughts and comments which, broadly, are that the defined benefits scheme should continue but with a substantial reviews to the way it is funded and the pension age.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Deanery Synod and Pensions
In Salisbury again today with my colleague, Belinda, coming across from Dorking for a conference meeting in the afternoon on one of our health claims cases. The morning was spent in meetings with Serena looking at some employment contracts and dealing with some more drafting of letters. Lunch was a very hurried affair consisting of the sandwiches and yoghurts which Sara had packed. I did, however, manage to get to the bank before we started our meeting. I left the office at 5.30 p.m. and came home for a short while. Tom immediately started to talk about getting new TVs and Sky. Sara and I did say we would look into this but with so many other expenses recently it hasn't been top priority. I fear that more time will be taken up with staring at screens although I must admit I would like to have the convenience of watching top football on TV. Duncan can fit the cabling for the TVs in the Family Room and bedrooms although we may leave the cabling for Tom's room as that is the one that is likely to go if we extend the house as we are considering doing. Later this evening Sara and I researched the options for Sky and the TVs. I have left it for Sara to sort these things out. Tonight, having cancelled our house group, I attended a special meeting of the clergy and synod members at the Diocesan Education Centre off Devizes Road. Richard, Maxime and Debbie also attended. It was a presentation on the crisis affecting the clergy's current pension plan which is a non-contributory defined benefits scheme. There was a great deal of debate and the results will go before a special Synod Task Group. It was interesting to learn ho much the clergy receive as a stipend and the value placed on their free living accommodation. At a time when secular pension schemes are facing substantial changes, my own included, a group of us think that the clergy should not be buffered from these real challenges around them. No real conclusions were reached but the Task Group can take on board our thoughts and comments which, broadly, are that the defined benefits scheme should continue but with a substantial reviews to the way it is funded and the pension age.
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