06.02.2013

PERSHORE TOWN COUNCIL

CEMETERY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY 6th February 2013

Minutes of a meeting of the Cemetery Committee held on Wednesday 6th February 2013 at the Town Hall, 34 High Street, Pershore commencing at 7.00pm.

Present:- Cllr C Parsons MBE (Chairman)

Cllr G Amphlett Hawkins

Cllr P Colloby

Cllr R Gillmor

Cllr J Grantham MBE

Cllr C Tucker

Items referred by members of the public

There were none

153. Apologies

Apologies were accepted from Cllr Price who was delayed because of work commitments

154. Declarations of Interest

There were none

155. Minutes

It was proposed by Cllr Grantham seconded by Cllr Amphlett Hawkins and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held 9th January 2013 be signed as a true record of the proceedings.

156. Matters of report from the minutes

a. The Clerk advised she had forwarded photographs of the pews in the second chapel to various parties and to date there had been no interest, partly because the pews were very long which made them less popular even once renovated. It was therefore agreed the Clerk advertise them for sale in the press and put the photographs in the notice boards in an endeavor for them to be sold.

b. The Clerk advised that a report was still awaited on possible works required to the cemetery wall.

c. The Clerk advised that the works to the side of the container had not yet been undertaken due to weather conditions but it was hoped these would be undertaken shortly.

d. The Clerk advised that the grounds maintenance contract had been signed and a meeting was planned with the contractors early in March.

157. Finance

a. Members accepted the draft budget comparison and noted that with transfers

from reserves and an increase in fees received there was currently a small surplus.

b. Members noted the revised budget for the cemetery for 2013/14 which had been amended now that the grounds maintenance contract had been awarded.

158. Cemetery Chapel

a. Members considered the management of the works to the chapel now that the contract had been awarded. The Clerk advised that the contractors had agreed they could start work at the end of February so that roofing works could be completed before summer roosting bats returned to the area. The surveyor had offered to over the works for a fee of £1,000 plus travel and it was proposed by Cllr Amphlett Hawkins, seconded by Cllr Gillmor and RESOLVED that this proposal be accepted. Members all agreed to monitor progress of the works but agreed that they would pass any concerns to the Clerk rather than approach the builders themselves. Cllr Parsons was asked to undertake a photographic record of the works as the proceeded for the maintenance log.

b. Members noted that the shoring purchased some years ago by the Joint Burial Board had only been used once and was no longer required. It was agreed the Clerk be authorized to dispose of this at the best possible price.

It was also noted that the old funeral bier was in the chapel and it was agreed that this be inspected and if still serviceable this could be used for funeral services held in the chapel. The Clerk will speak to the local funeral directors to ascertain whether this was feasible. If not it may be of use to the Heritage Centre.

159. Cemetery

a. Members agreed the Assistant Groundsman be sent on a spraying course at Pershore College at a total cost of £420 to be split between the Town Council and Cemetery budgets. The course to be undertaken in the new financial year.

b. The Clerk presented a revised cemetery leaflet for members’ consideration and discussion at the next meeting.

c. The Clerk advised that the cemetery had been offered a quantity of gravel for no charge for use in improving the paths. It was agreed to ask Cllr Rowley to inspect the gravel with the groundsman for its suitability and if satisfactory the offer be accepted.

160. Items for Information

a. The Clerk advised that there had been some difficulty with the locks on the gates and as a result it had been found necessary to change the code.

b. The Clerk advised that Cllr Colloby had consulted fellow embroiderers who had felt that it was not cost effective to replace the kneelers at this time. Members suggested they may like to create one kneeler or wall hanging to commemorate the current renovation works.

161. Items for future agenda

Book of Remembrance

Mapping of the Cemetery and signage – part of the HLF bid

Garden of Remembrance

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

Owing to the confidential nature of the following agenda items it was proposed by Cllr Grantham seconded by Cllr Tucker and RESOLVED “that in accordance with the provisions of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act, 1960, as amended by the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting owing to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted” ie: agenda items 10, Cemetery Chapel and 11, Cemetery Field and 12 Heritage Lottery Fund

162. Cemetery Chapel

There was nothing further to report.

163. Cemetery Field

Members considered the various options for the use of the cemetery field. The Clerk advised that a planning application was shortly to be submitted for cemetery farm as had been outlined in previous discussions with Bloor Homes. Following debate it was agreed the Clerk obtain quotations for the works in designing the new cemetery, including the necessary drainage, and bring further information to the next meeting, possibly with draft proposals for consideration. Once these works had been completed a further ecological study would be required prior to a planning application being submitted.

164. Heritage Lottery Fund

The Clerk outlined the proposals as submitted to the HLF expression of interest. The HLF had been most interested and had now appointed a member of staff to guide the Council through the process of applying for a grant. It was proposed by Cllr Tucker, seconded by Cllr Colloby and RESOLVED that the Council apply for a grant of £100,000 under the Heritage Fund which would enable a decision to be reached quickly and was a far less complex procedure the for grants of more than £100,000. The Clerk will continue to work towards submitting this bid as per her report.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:30

Signed……………………………………………. Date……………………….

Chairman

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