MenuMinutes of Amble Town Council Cemeteries Management Committee Meeting held on Thursday 19th January 2012
1. PRESENT: Councillors Bilboe (Chairman), Hinson and Mrs Lewis and Dargue
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Councillor Weir- Holiday:
acceptance proposed by Councillor Mrs Lewis, seconded by Councillor Bilboe and agreed.
The Clerk- Illness:
Councillor Mrs Lewis was appointed to the position of unpaid Clerk for the meeting on the proposal of Councillor Bilboe, seconded by Councillor Hinson and agreed.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS: None
4. CLERKS REPORT:
4.1: Pallet of random stones and sandstone slabs returned to MKM
4.2: Wheelbarrow returned to Cemetery
4.3: Quote from builder requested for completion of memorial wall
Accepted on the proposal of Councillor Mrs Lewis, seconded by Councillor Hinson and agreed.
5. VISITOR’S BOOK AND TIMESHEETS:
5.1: The Superintendent’s Futures Report were presented for inspection by the Members.
5.2: The time sheets were 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:
The use of timesheets and the proposed new system to be tested was explained to new Member Councillor Mrs Dargue.
7. COMMUNICATIONS:
7.1: Further letter of complaint regarding ‘trench like depressions’ in West Cemetery
The Clerk had reported that this had been responded to and dealt with.
7.2: Further correspondence from HSE regarding ‘trench like depressions’ in West Cemetery
The Clerk had reported that this had been responded to and dealt with.
Councillors requested that the Clerk check that the notice regarding members of the public entering the cemetery at their own risk was still prominently displayed on the noticeboard.
7.3: Fusilier website administrator re: Private Sydney Crackett and possible copying and publishing of East Cemetery Burial registers
The correspondence was read out.
Councillor Hinson reiterated the idea mentioned in the past that part of the records would be displayed on the Council’s own website; this would encourage visitors to come to Amble and visit the town and the cemetery and perhaps investigate the records for further information. There would still be a search charge and thus income for the Council. He proposed that the request be declined thanking the administrator for the interest shown and pointing out that the Council still hoped to display information on its own website in the future. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Dargue and agreed.
8. AGENDA ITEMS:
8.1: HSE requirements for manual workers – The Superintendent via the Clerk
The information supplied by the Superintendent was read out. Councillor Mrs Dargue was given background information regarding the Council’s policy on training. The Clerk had asked N.C.C. officer Bill Pringle about the policy for its grounds staff in similar positions. They were deemed sufficiently trained in the use of new machinery when it had been demonstrated to them, they had the manufacturer’s information and had used the machine competently. Seasonal operatives were shown how to use the machinery by permanent staff and signed that they had been shown how to operate that item. However at least one operative had to receive Pesticides Certification before this work could be carried out.
The Clerk frequently investigated training requirements and courses but would be asked to again contact NCC officers e.g. Health and Safety/ Personnel- as it was felt that that organisation had the expertise to know and understand the minimum requirements necessary and advise if there might be places on any relevant courses they were running and the costs involved; also NALC to ascertain what regulations they felt would be the requirements appropriate to the workforce in Amble. The Council strongly feel that ongoing training is a valuable element of any employee’s role and even though most courses do not enhance salaries, unless legally required, attendance must be tempered by operational and financial constraints.
After further discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Mrs Lewis, seconded by Councillor Hinson, that the Clerk would write to the Superintendent and Groundsman clarifying that the Council took their responsibility of training seriously and were constantly looking for suitable courses relevant to their work. They would be reminded that the manufacturers had demonstrated new larger equipment to them, they had tried these before purchase and again on delivery and had experience with all the equipment the Council owned and also in the procedures within their positions.
Unfortunately- regarding the 3 specific areas mentioned- the available courses regarding Manual Handling were more office based, the LANTRA and Grave digging courses were not run frequently. The Clerk would again investigate Manual Handling and if this was a requirement they would be placed on a course as soon as practicable. It would be verified that LANTRA training was not a requirement but this Council was prepared to allow its workforce to undertake this when the minimum number of 4 people were available to make the cost more reasonable. The local LANTRA trainer would be contacted again to see if the number had been reached; if not, other councils with employees using tractor grass cutting machinery would be contacted to see if they wished their operatives to attend such a course in order that it could go ahead as soon as possible.
The college which had previously run the Grave digging course had been contacted last year but were not planning to run it at present; they would be contacted again and reminded that this Council could be interested should it operate. There would be an update at the next meeting and the operatives informed of any further information received. This was agreed.
Training would also be a topic discussed under the future Review of Services.
8.2: DVLA requirements for pulling a trailer – The Superintendent via the Clerk.
DVLA rules apply to public highways.
The ordinary driving licence was class B which qualified a driver as follows:
| B | Motor vehicles with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg, no more than eight passenger seats, with or without a trailer – weighing no more than 750 kg |
| B | As category B but with a trailer weighing more than 750 kg. The total weight of the vehicle and the trailer together can’t weigh more than 3,500 kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle |
The trailer, when on the highway, was normally travelling between the two cemeteries and carried a brushcutter and occasionally a hand cutter. It was sometimes used for other work within the town when the load might vary. Unladen weight is 330kg, fully laden capability is 1.5tons.
The Clerk would contact the supplier to ascertain the grass cutting tractor’s weight and determine if it was within the above boundaries. DVLA would then be contacted to verify this. If it was not within these boundaries then the additional test required would be investigated for the current operatives and the person specifications for the roles updated for the future.
8.3: Consideration of defining a set time for operative rest break – The Clerk
After discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Mrs Lewis, seconded by Councillor Mrs Dargue, that this maximum 15 minute break should not be taken before 9a.m. or after 10a.m.- the flexibility to allow for operational requirements. This was agreed.
8.4: Update on Hedley Memorial:
Councillor Weir had submitted a report which was read out and further updated from information left by the Clerk. The brickwork would commence next week and it was hoped the structure would be completed in 2 weeks with the rear ‘landscaping’ to follow.
Councillor Bilboe endorsed his comments in thanking those involved in bringing this to fruition and additionally proposed that Councillor Weir be warmly thanked for all his strenuous efforts in the design, implementation and overseeing of the work despite the many problems encountered. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Lewis and agreed.
Councillor Arckless and Mrs Lewis had been consulted about the lettering font and size for the dedication plaque; they felt the engraver would be the most experienced person to judge this with the proviso that it be easily read from a short distance. They had requested the Clerk to ask him to supply some ‘mock-up paper designs’ for choice. It was also felt prudent by Members to request the same for the individual smaller plaques so that there was the minimum of delay to this part of the project.
At the next meeting, the Chairman would suggest a date in early March when the family of Mr Hedley and the Funeral Directors would be invited to view the Natural Burial site and the Memorial Wall would be dedicated. The Clerk was reminded that the Burial Charges would be reviewed at the next meeting and Fees for April 2012- March 2013 would be set.
9. INFORMATION ITEMS:
9.1: None
10. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING: The next Meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday 16th February 2012 at 6.30 p.m. in the Council Office, The Quayside
The meeting closed at 7.40p.m.