Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 23rd September 2020 at 7pm via video-conferencing and at The Old Courthouse, Jaycroft Road
Present: Cllrs: Chris Allen (Chair), Andy Brewer, Sue Harvey, Colette Winfield, and Steve Lester (no voting rights), Alistair Gordon (no voting rights) with Lorna Williams (Deputy Clerk) in attendance.
There were no members of the public or press present.
Prior to the meeting the Committee met at Highbridge Cemetery where they particularly noted the works from the Water Leak, the two Corsican Pines and the central path including the newly installed curbing and the further area of curbing to be considered and the area for new tarmac.
Public Participation
There were no speakers.
10/20/BC Apologies
Cllr Janet Keen
11/20/BC Declarations of Interest in items on this agenda & dispensations granted
There were none
12/20/BC Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Burial Committee meeting held on Wednesday 1st July 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Motions for note/resolution
13/20/BC Burial Service and maintenance of cemeteries.
The meeting received an operational update on the burial service and grounds maintenance carried out over the period affected by COVID-19. There is no requirement for Cemeteries to introduce Track and Trace. If there was an alert the applicant’s details are held and this would be enough to cover the “group” of mourners. The applicant would be able to provide a list of attendees should it be needed.
The main points noted was an update on the Highbridge Cemetery emergency fix of the water leak with the costs expected circa £2400 not including the cost of the tarmac, hire of equipment, namely the Mole, Concrete Breaker and Trench Wacker. (Emergency repair covered by Sect 11.a.i of the Financial Regulations)
The meeting agreed for the kerbing to continue to the yellow post near the entrance from Fairford Road.
There was concern over the disposal of the dead Elm trees at Brent Road. The meeting asked the Clerk to confirm if the trees could safely be left in the hedgerow without the disease spreading. The Landscape Officer had suggested either felling and chipping the trees or burning them. The concern was if shredded this could possibly spread the disease more than leaving them in-situ.
Cllr Winfield left the meeting
14/20/BC Tarmac on central path at Highbridge Cemetery
The meeting discussed the tarmacking of the central path and were in agreement that the Ear Marked Reserves would be used. The meeting asked the Clerk to clarify with Nigel Haggett (Builders) Ltd. that there were no other fees e.g. labour on top of the £20 m2 quoted. The Clerk was asked to have the different areas measured so that a decision could be made if enough funds were available to have new tarmac on the whole area identified.
The Clerk was asked to take and share photos of the central path as some Councillors were unable to visit the Cemetery and this would clarify the areas to be covered and would help to make an informed decision.
The Clerk emphasised (as per report) that this work could happen at the same time as the tarmac required to complete the water leak job. This is covered by the Financial Regulations (sect 11.a.iv).
Cllr Winfield re-joined the meeting
15/20/BC Management Reports and Ear Marked Reserves
The meeting noted the Management Reports and Ear Marked Reserves as at 31st July 2020.
16/20/BC Date of Next meeting
It was noted that the next meeting of this committee will be held on 11th November 2020. An extraordinary meeting maybe called earlier if a decision is required on the tarmacking at Highbridge Cemetery.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 7.45pm