TH&C May 2021 Minutes
TOWN HALL AND CEMETERY COMMITTEE
Minutes of the meeting of Market Deeping Town Council’s Town Hall and Cemetery Committee held on Wednesday 19th May 2021 at 7.30 pm at the Deepings Community Centre. Cllr Miss Moran presided over Cllr Dolan, Cllr Shelton, Cllr Mrs Redshaw, Cllr Mrs Sked. The Town Clerk was also in attendance.
01. Chairman’s Welcome
Cllr Miss Moran welcomed members to the meeting.
02. Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Yarham.
03. To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011
There were no declarations of interest.
04. Minutes from meeting held on Wednesday 17th March 2021
It was proposed by Cllr Shelton and RESOLVED unanimously to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as a true and accurate record and they were duly signed by the Clerk on behalf of the Chair.
05. Clerk’s report
The Clerk informed the members of the following:
Matters relating to the Cemetery:
- Sonic security service has taken place on the 24 March 2021.
- MG Skip Hire and Recycling Ltd has informed that there is a price increase of £5.00 a skip
- Since the last meeting there has been 2 interments of cremated remains and 3 burials and 1 scattering of cremated remains.
- Scholes Funeral Directors have visited the Sanctum with the park-keepers and they have confirmed that three wooden caskets will fit in one niche if required
- Sample plaque has been ordered for the Sanctum
Matters relating to the Town Hall:
•As of 13 May, following the invitation to tender for the repair works at the Town Hall, one response has been received from Steve Gilbert Building Services who have confirmed that they would be interested in putting forward a tender if the timescale is extended.
06. Update on work activity taking place in the Cemeteries
- The spinney, cemetery and driveway has been treated with weedkiller and general maintenance is ongoing.
- The cemetery drive will be replenished with gravel in the next couple of weeks.
- The cemetery flowers are being purchased Friday and will be planted next week
There were no other issues to report.
The Committee asked the clerk to ascertain progress regarding the placement of the bollards agreed at the last meeting. They also noted the removal of the skip at the entrance to the Paddock. Finally, Cllr Miss Moran suggested that to complement the Sanctum landscaping, the brown gravel on the cemetery driveway near the park keepers’ shed needs to be extended up to the sanctum and the spinney. Members were in agreement to this.
07. Correspondence received up to 19th May 2021
|
No |
Received from |
Date Received |
Subject |
Committee Response |
|
1 |
Resident |
19.04.21 |
Resident has asked if they would be able to paint their bench that is located in the cemetery pink or purple. |
Members did not approve this request and agreed to update the cemetery policy to show that a ‘natural finish’ only would be allowed for benches. |
|
2 |
Resident |
Apr 21 |
Residents late husband is interned in the flat plaque area of the cemetery. Widow is requesting a reservation in a completely separate grave next to her late husband. |
The committee agreed that a reserved space for a spouse would only be allowed as part of the same grave in the flat plaque area. |
|
3 |
Resident |
May 21 |
Request to purchase a grave for 4 family cremated remains. |
Agreed – charges would be for the initial EROB reservation, plus the interment fee for each family member at the time of interment. |
|
4 |
ICCM |
13.04.21 |
ICCM Photographic Competition 2021, entries to be received from 31 March until 31 July 2021. |
The clerk was asked to forward the details to Cllr Miss Moran who would share the link with residents in order for photos to be submitted. |
|
5 |
Resident |
11.05.21 |
Resident is seeking permission to instal a bible slab with two vases in black granite for his late father who is buried along with his mother whose ashes are interned in the same grave. |
Agreed. |
08. Finances: Omega reports: Review of budget/expenditure/income
The deputy clerk had presented a copy of the Omega report to all members prior to the meeting. Cllr Miss Moran asked if there were any questions and there were none. It was noted that the Cemetery income had proved to be roughly as expected in the previous year.
Cemetery
09. Chairman’s Cemetery Report
Cllr Miss Moran had visited the cemetery and reported that the new and old cemeteries and the Spinney were looking tidy with no unwarranted additional items placed in the Spinney. The cemetery keeper is currently mowing every other week but will move to weekly as we are now at the height of the growing season.
10. For members to consider the purchase of benches for the Sanctum Garden
Cllr Miss Moran, via the clerk, had issued images of suitable benches prior to the meeting. The benches cost £420 including VAT, had been approved for use by golf clubs and other cemeteries and were good quality and hard wearing.
Members considered the benches and it was then proposed by Cllr Mrs Sked and RESOLVED unanimously to purchase 3 benches that could then be offered to residents who requested a bench in the cemetery. It was further agreed that a memorial plaque would be allowed on each bench.
11. For members to receive an update on the Sanctum facility
As Cllr Hembrow was not present, this item will be deferred to the next meeting.
12. For members to review cemetery fees
Members considered the difficult circumstances experienced by residents over the last year and it was proposed by Cllr Miss Moran and RESOLVED unanimously that the fees remain as they are for the coming year.
13. For members to consider and approve the requested information from the Valuation Office Agency
The deputy clerk had provided members with a copy of the requested information, pre populated with responses calculated by the office staff and previous councillors. It was proposed by Cllr Miss Moran and RESOLVED unanimously to submit the figures presented.
Town Hall
14. For members to receive an update on the Town Hall remedial works
Cllr Miss Moran reported that one company had not received their tender document. Members therefore agreed to postpone the deadline and asked that the clerk contact all of the businesses initially contacted to confirm they had received their documentation and to extend the deadline by 3 weeks, also to ask the companies if they intended to submit quotations.
15. For members to consider and discuss any points raised in the open session
There were none.
Cllr Miss Moran then thanked everyone for their attendance and the meeting closed at 8.09pm. The next meeting of the Town Hall and Cemetery Committee will be held on Wednesday 21st July 2021 at the Cemetery.