- 74 -



         This group is basically the actual income which had been used

prior to the inception of potential income, and its reconsideration

generated considerable debate. The advantages are the ease of

availability (all parishes record figures for attendances and giving

in a weekly service book), the disadvantages are deciding what is

'regular' and what 'fortuitous' income. Whilst there was general

agreement that the former was appropriate and that the latter was not,

consensus could not be reached as to where lay the border between the

two. Judging from the tenor of the discussion consensus will be

difficult to achieve until a closer study is made of the weekly

giving/special events giving theme. There was however agreement that

only the preceding year, and not the preceding several years, should

be the basis, there being no perceived need to iron out cyclical

fluctuations; and that none needed further analysis on to a per

capita basis.


4.2.1.3
Average (over the previous financial year) of the weekly:


         (a)  total expenditure                                       √     √     X         X

         (b)  net expenditure (after deducting

                certain approved payments)                     √     √     ?         ?


4.2.1.4
Average (over the previous several years) of the weekly:


         (a)  total expenditure                                       √     √     X         X

         (b)  net expenditure (after deducting

                certain approved payments)                     √     √     X         X

         The use of expenditure was considered because it seemed a way

round the problem of weekly giving versus special events giving. Whilst

parishes might differ in their choice of methods of raising revenue,

they would be more of a mind in how they spend it since all would be

facing basically the same needs. The theory seemed promising, and

Previous Contents Next