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ACTION

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CE09/47

Apologies for Absence

Cllrs Jo Carr, Colin Laycock, Daniel Shing

CE09/48

Minutes of the last meeting                                                                                            

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 th September 2009 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

CE09/49

Declaration of Interests

None

CE09/50

Matters Arising

None

CE09/51

Report of Cemetery Superintendent

The following statistics were reported by Mrs Banks for the period: -

14 th September to 9 th November 2009.

Total entries recorded – 2 (Parishioners 1, Non-Parishioners 1 of which consecrated 1 and general 1).

Of these: Re-opened 1, New graves 1

Trees – Cremated remains 2 and reserved 1.

The income to 9 th November is £15,996.

RESOLVED to note the report

CE09/52

Row referencing – The Clerk reported that quotations had been received for both metal and granite row markers and examples of both were displayed. Members debated the need for and the cost, practicalities and risks of row markers. It was suggested that a map of the cemetery with row referencing would better serve the public and grave diggers.

RESOLVED 1)to request the clerk to obtain quotes for a display cabinet for the cemetery office wall in order to display a copy of the cemetery grid referenced plan and to proceed with this if under £500, after consultation with the Cemetery Committee Chairman 2) not to proceed with row referencing markers.

GP

CE09/53

Memorial Trees – period of exclusive rights - the Clerk informed the Members that a resolution regarding the period of exclusive rights could not be found and that a deed document was not issued for these. He gave examples of the period of exclusive rights in other cemeteries which were between 15 and 25 years. A discussion took place on the merits of the different schemes and rules for extending the initial period.

RESOLVED:  1)That the period of exclusive rights for a memorial tree shall be 20 years and that this can be extended on application to the Clerk 2) that the Cemetery Superintendent be requested to obtain a deed book for memorial trees which will include the decision in 1 above.

GP

RB

CE09/54

Cemetery – Publicity –at minute CE09/46 Members requested that the cemetery booklet be referred to this meeting. Some Members suggested that due to the limited life of the cemetery ground that advertising was not appropriate, others suggested that the cemetery was a trading concern and as such it was important to keep generating income to keep council tax at an acceptable level.

RESOLVED: 1) that the clerk be requested to produce a coloured A5 laminated flyer with photographs of the cemetery and contact details on the front and prices on the rear, using the council’s printing facilities 2) a copy of the flyer to be displayed at the cemetery, made available at the office and sent to local funeral directors.

GP

CE09/55

Garden of Remembrance –at minute CE 09/46 Members requested that the replacement of the slate above the top row of slabs be referred to this meeting. Concerns were expressed that flower vases would not stand up on the heavy slate.

RESOLVED: to replace the heavy purple slate with finer slate as used on the 2009 garden of remembrance.

GP

CE09/56

Revised fees for 2010/11 – the Clerk reported that the retail price index RPIX was currently -1.4% for the year to September 2009.

RESOLVED: to retain the fees for 2010/11 at 2009/10 levels.

CE09/57

Budget for 2010/11 - The Clerk / RFO presented the proposed budget to Members. The proposals indicated an increase of £2,790 in net expenditure due mainly to a projected decrease in income.

RESOLVED: to recommend that the Finance and Policy Committee include net income of £30,200 in the Council’s budget for 2010/11 for the Cemetery Committee.

CE09/58

Risk Management

a)   Manual Handling – the Clerk reported that the manual handling instructions had been received from both the grounds maintenance contractors and grave digging sub-contractors.

RESOLVED: to note the report.

b)Safety Boards – the Clerk reported that a complaint had been received concerning the safety to the public and undertakers due to trip hazards at the graveside. A discussion took place concerning the condition of and lack of wooden boards and the contractual obligation for providing these. The Clerk advised that under the cemetery maintenance contract, the Council were responsible for providing the green matting and that he would check the contract regarding contractual obligations for safety equipment.

RESOLVED: for the Clerk to purchase new walk boards at a cost of approximately £800 as per the quotation from Teleshore UK Ltd provided the provision of safety equipment was not the contractor’s responsibility.

GP

CE09/59

Any Urgent Items – for noting or referral to next Agenda for Council   or appropriate Committee

There were none

Meeting Closed at 21.10hrs