CEMETERY COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 28TH JANUARY 2008

Present :   Cllr R. Mills (Chairman), Cllr V. Baker, Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr C. Stanger,

                Cllr A. Wardle, Cllr H. Wright

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr A. Maycock

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

4.    Memorial Safety Inspections

Cllr Wright reported back from the today's site visit with the Chairman, Cllr Mills and stonemason, Mr L. Finn. Approximately 40 memorials were identified for re-instatement following earlier safety inspections. These were mostly kerbstones plus 2 large cross memorials which the stonemason will re-dowel. The cost of the works will be approximately £800.00 and a written estimate will be forwarded to the Clerk accordingly. The Clerk will give permission for the works to commence in March 2008. This will leave money available in the budget for the next phase of memorial testing and the Clerk asked committee members to consider how this should proceed.

5.    Cemetery Chapel

The Clerk referred to the ongoing ground investigation works to identify the cause of subsidence to the Cemetery Chapel. Cllr Maycock recently reported that one of the leaded windows on the side of the chapel had come away from its surround. It has now been secured and the Clerk will be asking the surveyor to check whether this signals acceleration in the subsidence or is a result of recent weather conditions. The Clerk confirmed that the chapel is currently used for storing the beir plus the mowing equipment since the workshop was broken into. The committee has previously discussed the possibility of bringing the chapel back into use but this will be dependent on the results of the ground investigations which will determine what work is needed. Cllr Wardle asked the Clerk to find out whether there are any grants available to help with the cost.

6.    Cemetery Lodge

Further to the recent survey, the Clerk will be sending out for 3 quotations for works to the Cemetery Lodge. These will be bought back to the next meeting for discussion.

7.    Towcester Allotment & Garden Association

Correspondence from the Secretary of the Allotment Association refers to an incident on an allotment site in Hull where a jogger climbed over the perimeter fence, tripped over a discarded fence post and broke her arm. This resulted in a significant claim for damages. The Allotment Society is seeking confirmation that they are protected under the terms of the TC insurance policy. The Clerk advised the committee that considering the allotment holders lease is with the TC, and not the Society itself, they should be covered by the TC public liability insurance. It was agreed that the Clerk will forward a copy of the letter to the TC insurers for clarification.

8.    Garden of Rest

The Clerk reported that spaces in the new Garden of Rest are rapidly being used with the second of the four sections is nearly completed. At this current rate the TC will be left without any internment spaces within 10 years and needs to look for more land as a priority. The Persimmon / Bloor application has allocated an area near to the A5 and the Clerk is waiting for hard copy of the plan to establish whether this would be suitable. Cllr Godwin suggested a further row of internment spaces could be sited within each of the four sections and this would give the TC more time. Cllr Mills considered that additional internment spaces could be located around the perimeter of the Garden of Rest although some shrubbery would need removing.

9.    Correspondence regarding Additional Screening of the Cemetery

The Clerk referred to correspondence from a resident of Buckingham Way who has enquired whether the TC would be prepared to provide additional screening for the Cemetery. Over a period of time the graves have become much more visible from the resident's property and in particular she is concerned that her young children will be upset by the children's graves in this section. The committee considered it would be extremely costly to plant and maintain a hedge of sufficient size to screen this section of the cemetery.

Proposal

Cllr Godwin proposed that the Clerk responds to advise that the TC will not

provide additional planting to screen the cemetery; seconded by Cllr Wright, All in favour.

10.    Closed Churchyards

The Clerk reported that a number of churchyards in villages surrounding Towcester are closed. John White Funeral Directors has received several requests to take burials from outside of town and would like this matter to be put before the committee. Considering the rate at which the burial spaces are being used and also reserved, the Clerk feels the Council need a policy for future burials. Cllr Baker felt this matter needs to be considered very carefully. A number of suggestions were made on whether a policy is needed or if cases should be considered on individual merit. The Clerk pointed out that, when dealing with burials, a decision is needed quickly. It was agreed that this issue would be bought back to the next meeting to allow committee members to give it due consideration.