MenuMinutes of a Meeting of Amble Town Council Cemeteries Management Committee held on Thursday 21st July 2011 at 6.30pm in the Council Office which was preceded by a site visit commencing at the West Cemetery at 5.30pm
1. PRESENT: Cllrs Bilboe (Chairman), Hinson, Weir and Mrs Lewis together with the Clerk- Miss E Brown.
The Superintendent Mr Waugh was present for the site visit.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS: None.
4. CLERKS REPORT: CLERKS REPORT:
4.1: Quote for works as a result of tree survey requested.
4.2: Bat survey requested.
4.3: Gazebo ordered to replace Hauxley Village Hall Gazebo.
4.4: Karcher K2.110 pressure washer ordered/delivered.
4.5: Quotes for micro/mini diggers requested.
4.6: Quotes for grave shoring requested.
4.7: Quotes for synthetic grass sheets requested.
4.8: DVLA informed of old Husqvarna being sold in part exchange for new model.
4.9: DVLA registration of new Husqvarna still in progress.
4.10. Quotes for noticeboards requested.
4.11. Enquiry to New College Durham re: grave digging courses.
4.12. Groundsman requested to resume works on East Cemetery walls if work up to date and time available.
Regarding 4.12; Cllr Mrs Lewis stressed her concern that ALL work should be up to date before the Groundsman does work on the East Cemetery walls. This work should also be recorded clearly on the time sheets.
5. VISITOR’S BOOK AND TIMESHEETS:
5.1: The Superintendent’s Futures Report detailed weed killing inside and outside both Cemeteries, moss killing and strimming/cutting.
5.2: The time sheets were available for inspection.
5.3: The Visitor’s Book was available for inspection..
5.4: Site Visit. The Cemetery have vastly improved from the previous year although it was noticed that general maintenance i.e. weeding, removal of dead flowers from memorials required more attention.
The trees/shrubs in the border infront of the office could do with being cut back/thinned out in the Autumn or they may dominate the border and hide all other planting in the future.
6 Member’s Comments on the Future Report, Visitor’s Book, Timesheets and the condition of the Cemetery: The Cemetery have vastly improved from the previous year although it was noticed that general maintenance i.e. weeding, removal of dead flowers from memorials required more attention.
The trees/shrubs in the border infront of the office could do with being cut back/thinned out in the Autumn or they may dominate the border and hide all other planting in the future.
7. COMMUNICATIONS: none.
8. AGENDA ITEMS:
8.1: Consideration of Committee Terms of Reference – Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed several amendments which were seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
8.2: Update on West Cemetery gates restoration – The Clerk informed that the blacksmith was still awaiting the delivery of the casts.
8.3: Update on West Cemetery natural burials memorial – The Clerk/Cllr Weir were still awaiting quotes from contractors.
Cllr Mrs Lewis and Cllr Arckless had consulted with the family of the late Councillor Hedley over wording for a memorial plaque for the memorial wall/stone and the following wording was proposed by Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed. Wording on page 9.
9. INFORMATION ITEMS:
9.1: BRAMM newsletter
10. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING: The next Meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday 15th September 2011 at 6.30 p.m. in the Council Office, The Quayside, Amble to be preceded by a site visit to the West Cemetery commencing at 5.30pm
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 Weir and agreed.
PUBLIC VERSION OF PRIVATE
P01. The consideration of purchasing a mini digger; including quotes for grave shoring and synthetic grass sheets.
The Clerk had obtained quotes for several mini diggers which proved to be vest costly. On the proposal of Cllr Mrs Lewis the Committee agreed to consider the purchase of a mini digger but also to look for alternatives e.g. the hire of a mini digger and other grave digging options.
The quotes for grave shoring were still awaited.
The quotes for synthetic grass sheets had been received. The Clerk would consult with the Superintendent over how many m² were required.
The Clerk would request and quote and sample of the plastic ground care sheets as an alternative to plywood.
P02. Consideration of replacement notice board; Amble West Cemetery
The Committee agreed the preference of a notice board with posts, were open to consider various materials but suggested it should have a display board showing information as well as the door for inserting notices. The Clerk and Cllr Weir were delegated to continue to seek quotes.
P03. Consideration of tree work and results of bat survey
Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed giving the arborist the go ahead to commence all work in the autumn pending further consultation with the ecologist to resolve the problem with the bat roost. This was seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
P04. Staff Appraisals
The Clerk summarised the staff appraisals.
The Clerk would be delegated with the Chairman to look into a replacement brushcutter and make a decision on purchase. This was proposed by Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Weir and agreed.
Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed a good quality tool kit be investigated and purchased by the Clerk. This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
General hand tools and consumables would be replaced.
Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the Superintendent be authorised to weld the trailer in his own time but
not to carry out any work to the John Deere in case it invalidated any warranties.
The meeting closed at 8.20pm
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‘LOOK TOWARDS HIS BELOVED HILLS’ IN REMEMBRANCE OF COUNCILLOR J.M. HEDLEY 1949 – 2009 WHOSE BEQUEST MADE THIS MEMORIAL POSSIBLE |