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CEMETERY COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2009
Present: Cllr H. Wright (Chair), Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr J. Hart, Cllr C. Lofts,
Cllr A. Maycock
1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr R. Mills, Cllr A. Wardle
2. Declarations of Interest
None.
3. Open to the Public
No members of the public were present.
4. Cemetery Chapel
A copy of correspondence from the Department of Communities and Local Government was forwarded to committee members prior to the meeting. It confirms that approval has been granted for the TC to borrow £37,000 from the Public Works Loan fund towards the underpinning / refurbishment works on the Cemetery Chapel. The TC is permitted to draw on the funds between the date of approval (5th November 2009) and the end of the financial year.
Proposal
Cllr Lofts proposed that the TC draw on the loan of £37,000 on 31st March 2010 as it is unlikely that the works will commence prior to this date; seconded by Cllr Hart; all in favour.
5. Allotments
A copy of correspondence from Knight Frank was forwarded to committee members prior to the meeting. It confirms they have been instructed by their client, the Hesketh family, to investigate the opportunity for the sale of a long leasehold interest (999 years) of the allotment land to the rear of Malthouse Court. The sale of the long leasehold would be based upon the presumption that the land will remain in its existing use. The TC is approximately 3 years into a 50 year leasehold agreement for the land; paying an annual rent of £500.00 to the Hesketh Estate. It was agreed that the Clerk will contact Knight Frank to find out further information.
The Clerk confirmed that approximately 40 allotment holders have been accommodated on the Malthouse Court site. Since acquiring the land 3 years ago the waiting list for allotments has again grown to approximately 40 people. The Clerk has arranged for Andy D’Arcy of SNC to attend a meeting of the Cemetery Committee early in 2010 to discuss potential allotment sites in the town.
6. Request for a Seat
The Clerk referred to the request for a memorial seat in Brackley Road Cemetery. It had previously been agreed that the seat purchased by former colleagues of the late Mark Smith would be sited on the Riverside Walk as it was not in keeping with the seats in the Cemetery.
His mother felt that the seat would be at risk from vandalism in this location and has re-iterated her original request. The committee considered the request sympathetically but were in agreement that should be declined as it would set a difficult precedent.
7. Correspondence
A copy of correspondence from Mrs C. Watson concerning maintenance of the Garden of Remembrance was forwarded to committee members prior to the meeting. Mrs Watson visited the Cemetery at the end of October and was dismayed to find it looking untended with weeds growing wildly and shrubs uncared for.
Shortly after receiving the letter the Clerk inspected the Cemetery paying particular attention to the Garden of Remembrance. There was a heavy covering of leaves conducive with the time of year but no major problems. The committee agreed that due to the large number of visitors to the Cemetery it is likely the TC would have received more complaints concerning its maintenance. Cllr Maycock referred to a number of headstones he thought should have been included in the programme of reinstatement works. The Clerk agreed to follow up this matter.
Proposal
Cllr Hart proposed that the Clerk write a sympathetic letter to Mrs Watson acknowledging her complaint but the committee considered the appearance of the Cemetery to be conducive to the time of year; seconded by Cllr Maycock; all in favour.
8. Draft Budget 2010 / 11
A copy of the draft budget for the 2010 / 11 financial year was forwarded to committee members prior to the meeting. The Clerk itemised the budget as follows:-
CEMETERY ACCOUNT
Income
Cemetery fees - £5125.00 budgeted. The Clerk confirmed the income from fees is down due to a reduction in burials and the pre-purchase of plots.
Lodge rent – no increase. £6,600 budgeted.
Expenditure
Grave Digging - £3200.00 budgeted
Cemetery maintenance - £13,200 budgeted; an increase of 2.5% in accordance with the current contract.
Non-domestic rates – 5% increase budgeted
Lodge maintenance/repairs - £1500.00 budgeted.
Cemetery chapel - £7792.00 budgeted for loan repayments in 2010/11. £3896.00 for the current financial year; the Clerk confirmed that this figure was included when preparing the budget as she was unsure until this evening when the loan would be drawn. The committee has proposed to draw the loan on 31st March 2010; the Clerk recommended that this sum be earmarked for the next financial year to provide additional contingency.
Mowers & Maintenance - Fuel - £500.00 budgeted.
- Service/Repairs - £350.00 budgeted.
Tree Surgery - £250.00 budgeted.
Railings maintenance - £275.00 budgeted.
Memorial Stone Repairs – The Clerk confirmed that £1,200.00 will be carried forward from the current year’s budget. It was agreed not to budget any additional monies until the next phase of repairs has been agreed.
Provision for path - £12822.00 budgeted for new tar, spray and chip pathways with new borders. The Clerk confirmed that the bottom path near to the new garden of rest is particularly poor. The committee suggested the Clerk ask the contractor whether the path works can be carried out in 2 phases with works to replace the bottom path being completed early in the next financial year and the top paths following the works to the Cemetery Chapel.
Total Income £16870.00 / Total Expenditure £39184.00 / Precept £22314.00
Proposal
Cllr Godwin proposed that the precept of £22314.00 for the Cemetery Account be recommended to the Resources/Planning Committee;
seconded by Cllr Lofts; all in favour
ALLOTMENT ACCOUNT
Income
Cemetery Allotment fees - £35.00
Malthouse Court Allotment fees - £445.00
Expenditure
Tree Surgery - £375.00 budgeted.
Skips - £175.00 budgeted.
Annual rent for site - £500.00
Total Income £480.00 / Total Expenditure £1045.00 / Precept £565.00
Proposal
Cllr Godwin proposed that the precept of £565.00 for the Allotment Account be recommended to the Resources/Planning Committee;
seconded by Cllr Lofts; all in favour
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