MenuMinutes of Amble Town Council Cemeteries Management Committee Meeting held on Thursday 9th February 2012
1. PRESENT: Councillors Bilboe (Chairman), Hinson, Palin, Weir, Mrs Dargue and Mrs Lewis together with the Clerk.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS: None
CLERKS REPORT:
4.1: Wellingtons ordered for Grounds man
4.2: Register of purchases of Grants of Exclusive Rights of Burial records updated from 1993 to 2004, expected to be up to present date with information as far as possible by end of February.
Register of Pre-purchased Grants of Exclusive Rights of Burial still requiring attention.
4.3: Grave digging record template given to Superintendent for trial.
4.4: Updated quotes for A3 steel plaque requested.
4.5: Cost of Manual Handling training courses investigated
4.6: Letter to Operatives re: Council takes responsibility of training seriously, mid morning rest break times, and clarification of driving compact tractor on public highways.
The Clerk would continue investigating Manual Handling Courses and bring details back to the next meeting.
It was noted that 4.6 had been investigated and clarified: the current driving test and licence covers a person to drive a tractor pulling a trailer provided the combined weight does not exceed…. and that the trailer with its load does not exceed the weight of the tractor- the Council’s equipment is within these limits.
The Clerk reported that it had come to light that a memorial mason completed work on a memorial without permission, requiring the mason to enter the Cemetery on 2 separate occasions. The Superintendent was not aware of the works having been done.
Cllr Mrs Lewis commented that the Superintendent should be reminded that it is his responsibility to ensure Memorial Masons have the complete permits with them before allowing any works to take place- if not, the office must be contacted before any work can proceed- and more care should be taken in the future to monitor this as significant income to the Council could be lost with unauthorised works taking place. Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed a letter be sent to the Superintendent reminding of procedure with a letter being sent to Memorial Mason ensuring they bring correct documentation and notify Superintendent of their presence. This was seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
5. VISITOR’S BOOK AND TIMESHEETS:
5.1: The Superintendent’s Futures Report was presented for inspection by the Members.
5.2: The time sheets was available for inspection
5.3: The Visitor’s Book was available for inspection at the office from Thursday afternoon.
6 Member’s Comments on the Future Report, Visitor’s Book, Timesheets and the condition of the Cemetery
Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the Clerk investigate a ladder to be used for safe exit when grave digging as it was recommended in our Grave digging Guidelines, seconded by Councillor Bilboe and agreed, also the Operatives would be reminded that the hard hats they were provided with should be used when grave digging for Health & Safety purposes.
7. COMMUNICATIONS: None.
8. AGENDA ITEMS:
8.1: Consideration of Cemeteries Charges – After discussion Cllr Weir proposed an increase of 5% to the nearest £5.00 on all cemetery charges. The charge for a commemorative plaque to be in place for …years was set at ….
This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
8.2: Consideration of setting Natural Burial charge –Cllr Weir proposed that the burial fee be the same as a single depth full body interment over the age of 12, with the right of burial still including the cost to erect a memorial; the memorial in this case being a shrub from a choice of species previously agreed by the Committee. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Lewis and agreed.
8.3: Setting of date for opening dedication ceremony for Hedley Memorial Wall – Cllr Bilboe suggested waiting until the arrival of the steel plaque before setting a date. Funeral Directors, operatives and the Hedley family would be invited. Cllr Mrs Lewis asked Cllr Rev’d Nicholson is she could carry out the dedicaton. Cllr Rev’d Nicholson agreed and a provisional date of Friday 9th March at 10a.m. was agreed. The confirmed date of the dedication would be set by the Chairman with the Clerk in consultation with Cllr Rev’d Nicholson.
9. INFORMATION ITEMS:
9.1: None
10. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING: The next Meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday 15th March 2012 at 6.30 p.m. in the Council Office, The Quayside
Following acceptance of the adoption of Section 100a (4) of the Local Government Act the remainder of the Meeting will be held in Private
This was proposed by Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
PUBLIC VERSION OF PRIVATE
P01. Consideration of solutions for rabbit problem at East Cemetery – The Clerk explained the situation regarding the abundance of rabbit holes in the East Cemetery. This was discussed. The Clerk would investigate the suggestions made.
P02. Consideration of fonts/quotes for steel plaques for West Cemetery Memorial Wall – The Clerk provided a sample of fonts and quotes for the work. The Sample text numbered 4 (as attached) was proposed by Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed accepting the first quote; this was seconded by Cllr Dargue and agreed.
P03. Consideration of Replacement of seat – West Cemetery – To replace the wooden double seat that had rotted, Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested the Georgian seat as seen around the fountain if funding allowed. Cllr Hinson suggested a more basic seat at this location which was not prominent in the Cemetery. Cllr Dargue suggested a middle ground between the 2 seats. Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed look at the funding remaining from the Memorial project and delegate to the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee with the Clerk to reach an agreement. This was seconded by Cllr Dargue and agreed.
The meeting closed at 7.15p.m.