BARROW UPON SOAR PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Cemetery and Other Grounds Committee held on

18th February 2014 at 11.30a.m at the Parish Council Office

PRESENT

Cllrs Forrest, Ranson, Smith(Chairman) and Watson

IN ATTENDANCE

Mrs L Bell – Clerk

Mrs G Newcombe – Deputy Clerk

362/14 Apologies

The following apologies were noted:

Cllr Moore

363/14 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

364/14 confirmation and signing of minutes of the meeting held on 14th NOVEMBER 2013

At 353/13 Burial Statistics the following to be inserted:

‘Cllr Smith suggested statistics are updated at six monthly intervals’

RESOLVED Minutes are otherwise signed as a true record by Clllr Smith, Chairman.

365/14 Cemetery

RESOLVED to exclude the press and public for the reasons stated below and move into closed session for the next item.

o  Extension to Cemetery – Press and Public may be excluded from the meeting for discussion for reasons of a Legal Nature – Public Bodies Act 1960/LGA 1972.

Further to confirmation of planning approval.

RESOLVED to employ the District Valuer and to investigate the process of compulsory purchase.

Open session resumed

o  To agree costs for Assignment of Exclusive Right of Burial

RESOLVED to include in the schedule of fees and charges at £40.00

o  Cemetery procedure – presentation by the Clerk

The Clerk explained the current procedure with regard to purchase/burials/memorials and writing up in the four ledgers, presented to the meeting:

Register of Purchased Graves

Register of Graves

Register of Burials

Register of Monuments

Information in the ledgers is currently being transferred to the new software which when complete will simplify access to all information by clicking on a grave space and all information relating to that grave will be recorded in one place. The ledgers have to be maintained as at present.

o  Burial Records and Statistics – update

The Clerk tabled an updated record which included the figures July to December 2013 and confirmed that there had been no additional interments to date.

RESOLVED confirmation of pre-purchased total and available spaces to be presented at the next meeting.

o  Cemetery Chapel works – meeting with LCC Heritage Officer

Meeting/opinion awaited.

o  Restoration to gates and railings – request for quotations in progress

Additional quotations are in process. To be chased up.

o  Watering cans – stenciling - update

Bespoke stencil to be purchased.

o  Promoting the use of the Cemetery Chapel – letter now issued to Churches

A letter to the Churches is outstanding. To be progressed.

o  Turfing of graves in the lawned section – report on progress re soil/seeding

It was agreed as follows:

To seek advice from the current Grounds Maintenance Contractor

To identify graves on the left hand side

To obtain quotations for both soil/seeding and turf

o  Works to memorials identified in Audit – Cllrs Smith and Moore to report following inspection of works completed

Cllr Smith confirmed he has yet to carry out the inspection.

o  Volunteer gardener concern raised/assistance required

Cllr Smith to liaise with the volunteer and arrange a site visit.

366/14 War Memorial

¨  Review after the winter

Further to its restoration the War Memorial is looking good.

Wreaths had been secured by cable which has slightly rubbed into the mortar. To be inspected following removal of the wreaths.

367/14 Jerusalem

¨  Christmas tree – to consider future provision/removal of cable clips from monument

RESOLVED to revisit in the autumn.

368/14 The Culverts – future of care – Cllr Smith to report

The area is at present in flood.

With regard to previous agreement to plant two trees it is advised that a self set Willow is thriving and the ring barked tree seems to be surviving.

It is thought Mrs Harriman may wish to continue with her father’s work. Clerk to source a contact.

369/14 North Street Garden – spring/summer planting

Spring bulbs have been planted. Mrs Yates to be contacted re summer planting.

370/14 Three Crowns garden – spring/summer planting

Summer planting as previously.

Brambles to be cut back at rear hedge – Cllr Smith to arrange.

371/14 Grounds maintenance – issues of concern

The following issues/solutions were brought forward:

o  The store door was found to be open, now secured.

o  There is a loose slate at the rear. Caretaker to be asked to inspect and rectify if possible.

o  The waste bin to the right of the Chapel at the top of the cemetery is at an angle. Ground to be levelled and if necessary bin to be set on slabs.

o  The ‘Garden of Remembrance’ area is beginning to look untidy. Volunteer group to undertake. Cllr Smith to organise.

Grounds maintenance is otherwise improved on previous years.

372/14 Date/time of next meeting – to be confirmed

To be confirmed on agreement of calendar of meetings for the new Council year.

The meeting closed at 11:35am.

SIGNED……………………………………………………… DATE………………………………………..

CHAIRMAN

16

Minutes of a Meeting of the Cemetery and Other Grounds Committee on

18th February 2014