MenuMinutes of Amble Town Council Cemeteries Management Committee Meeting held on Thursday 19th April 2012 at 6.30pm in the Town Council Office, preceded by a site visit to the West Cemetery at 5.30pm
1. PRESENT: Councillors Bilboe(Chairman), Hinson, Weir, Mrs Dargue and Mrs Lewis together with the Clerk and the Superintendent Mr Waugh.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS: None
4. CLERKS REPORT: CLERKS REPORT:
4.1: 2 x Sthil Brushcutters away for service and fitting of new strimming heads
4.2: Natural Burial leaflet circulated to Members for comments on content
4.3: PPE requirements for the year ordered
4.4: Letter sent in response to complaint discussed in March meeting.
4.5: Request to surveyors for quotes for Natural Burial area
4.6: Black Harlech seat ordered for placement on the base adjacent to the memorial wall
AGENDA ITEMS FROM CLERKS REPORT
Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed that the Natural Burials Leaflet be printed professionally with delegated powers to Cllrs Bilboe and Weir together with the Clerk. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Dargue and agreed.
5. VISITOR’S BOOK AND TIMESHEETS:
5.1: The Superintendent’s Futures Report was 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.
5.4: West Cemetery Site visit
6 Member’s Comments on the Future Report, Visitor’s Book, Timesheets and the condition of the Cemetery
The Cemetery was looking good in appearance, particularly the stone borders that had been erected around the beds in front of the Office. The noticeboard on the office wall was in need of replacement/repair. A willow was required for the bed on the hill. The present ashes section would soon be used, it was agreed the opposite side of the turning circle would be investigated and if possible utilised and then extend along the uneven interment edge of section M. Only one additional row should be accounted for in the child section before full interments. More soil was required to top up the hexaway drive. The Memorial wall area was to be completed as soon as possible. Attention was drawn to a memorial so that members were aware of the detail as a possible change request could be forthcoming.
The Superintendent commented that a long handled spade would be useful for grave digging; the Clerk had already made enquiries about this but would follow it up.
The Superintendent commented that they were struggling without the John Deere for removing soil at some interments and requested an update on whether the Council were going to replace the machine. He also requested an update on Manual Handling Training Courses, machine competence training courses and fire risk assessments. The Clerk had already investigated these but would progress for the next meeting.
The Superintendent did not feel adequate training was provided for using the machines, Cllr Mrs Lewis commented whilst training courses were useful, it was believed the manufacturer’s instructions, demo tuition and further tuition on delivery should enable competent use of the machines. The Superintendent commented delivery had not included further assistance- the Clerk would follow this up.
7. COMMUNICATIONS: None.
8. AGENDA ITEMS:
8.1: Consideration of revised Interment form – The Clerk requested this be deferred to the next meeting.
9. INFORMATION ITEMS: None.
10. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING: The next Meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday 17th May 2012 at 6.30 p.m. in the Council Office, The Quayside
The Superintendent was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.
Following acceptance of the adoption of Section 100a (4) of the Local Government Act the remainder of the Meeting will be held in Private on the proposal of Cllr Weir, seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
PUBLIC/PRIVATE
P01. Survey of West Cemetery extension –
Section N should be plotted out assuming full interments with memorials back to back with 1 further row for the children’s section.
Section P would be plotted for natural burials- a rectangle quarter the width along the fence line with Gloster Hill from the existing cemetery edge and to the turning areas adjacent to the Memorial Wall.
The Superintendent would be available to talk to the Surveyors regarding these areas, spaces and measurements for vehicle access.
As it was necessary for this work to be carried out as soon as possible, the Clerk would pursue quotations with the decision delegated to the Chairman and Clerk to get best value.
P02. Commercial Refuse Collection contracts – After the Clerk’s clarification of the situation, Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed cancelling the Biffa contact and paying the 41% charge as the most economical and expedient course of action, this was seconded by Cllr Mrs Dargue and agreed.
P03. Consideration of Overtime Payment – Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed paying the Superintendent at time and a half for his attendance at the site visit and meeting; this was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
The meeting closed at 7.30pm