Agenda and draft minutes

The Co-Chairman informed those present of the actions required in the event of a fire or emergency.

a.  To receive any declarations from Members of any registerable (5A of the Code of Conduct) and/or non-registerable (5B) interests in matters to be considered at this meeting.

b.  The Town Clerk to receive written requests for dispensations prior to the start of the meeting for consideration.

a.  To receive any declarations from Members of any registerable (5A of the Code of Conduct) and/or non-registerable (5B) interests in matters to be considered at this meeting.

None.

b.  The Town Clerk to receive written requests for dispensations prior to the start of the meeting for consideration.

None.

Please note: Any member of the public requiring to put a question to the Town Council must do so by email or via The Guildhall no later than 12 noon the day before the meeting.

Members of the public are advised to review the Receiving Public Questions, Representations and Evidence at Meetings document prior to attending the meeting.

None.

Please see a copy of the minutes on the STC website or request to see a copy at the Guildhall.

It was proposed by Councillor B Samuels, seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED to amend the time of rising on the minutes of the Joint Burial Board Committee held on 8 August 2024 from 7.40 p.m. to 2.40 p.m.

It was proposed by B Jones, seconded by Councillor Bullock and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Joint Burial Board Committee held on 8 August 2024 were confirmed as a true and correct record.

The Finance Officer informed Members of the current budget statement contained within the circulated reports pack.

It was RESOLVED to note.

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

Members received and discussed the Service Delivery Department report as contained within the circulated reports pack.

It was proposed by Councillor Peggs, seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED;

1.  To note the report;

2.  To approve the purchase of double entrance gates to the side entrance of the Churchyard, to be installed by the Service Delivery Team at a cost of £775.00 allocated to Budget Code 6104 General Site Maintenance;

3.  To approve the Service Delivery Team to purchase and use the MossOff Chemical Free Product to help remove the moss across the pathways at the Churchyard at an approximate cost of £25 for 5 Litres allocated to Budget Code 6104 General Site Maintenance; 

4.  PCC Members to liaise with Reverend Laura Bushell Hawke to move the Health and Safety Signage forward as soon as possible. 

The Finance Officer reported on the proposed amendments to the Fees and Charges for the year 2025/26.

Members discussed and debated the Fees and Charges for the year 2025/26.

It was proposed by Councillor Dent, seconded by Councillor B Samuels and resolved to RECOMMEND the Joint Burial Board Fees and Charges for the year 2025/26 as attached to the Policy and Finance Committee Meeting to be held on 12 November 2024.

The Finance Officer worked through the budget statement for the year 2025/26 contained within the circulated reports pack.

The Town Clerk informed the meeting that the Property Maintenance Sub Committee have not yet inputted their figures into Budget Code BB EMF 6170 Repairs to Cemetery Wall from the meeting held on 28 October 2024. 

Members discussed and debated the budget setting for the year 2025/26.

It was proposed by Councillor Bullock, seconded by Councillor B Samuels and resolved to RECOMMEND the Joint Burial Board Budget Statement for the year 2025/26 as attached to the Policy and Finance Committee Meeting to be held on 12 November 2024 subject to the Property Maintenance 5 Year Plan figures.

Operational Income:

1.  Budget Code 4600 BB Cemetery Fees – to remain at £6,000.  No further burials; only re-openings will be permitted;

2.  Budget Code 4607 BB Memorial Bench Income to remain at £450 due to there being further capacity for Memorial Benches;

Operational Expenditure

3.  To delete Budget Code 6103 BB Health and Safety as Health and Safety items are purchased by Policy and Finance for all sites.  To vire unspent funds at the end of the financial year to Budget Code 6170 BB EMF General Maintenance;

4.  To vire unspent funds at the end of the financial year from Budget Codes 6104 BB General Site Maintenance and 6108 BB Tree Survey and Tree Maintenance to Budget Code 6170 BB EMF General Maintenance;

BB – EMF Expenditure

5.  Budget Code 6170 BB EMF Repairs to Cemetery Wall to be renamed BB EMF General Maintenance.  Any funds left in unused budgets to remain in the EMF fund for future use;

6.  Budget Code 6170 BB EMF General Maintenance – considered at the Property Maintenance Sub Committee held on 28 October 2024, figures are yet to be transferred.

Members discussed the report submitted by The Senior Policy and Data Compliance Monitoring Officer contained within the circulated reports pack.

The Town Clerk advised Members that until there is something more solid on the horizon than a consultation about a future recommendation, St Stephen’s Church should proceed with the parameters of the current law.

It was proposed by Councillor B Samuels, seconded by B Jones and RESOLVED that PCC continue to proceed with the closure of the Churchyard which relates to Minute Number 11/24/25 reporting back at the next Joint Burial Board Committee Meeting.

To resolve that pursuant to Section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the public and press leave the meeting because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. (As required or if necessary).

To resolve that pursuant to Section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the public and press leave the meeting because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. (As required or if necessary).

None.

To resolve that the public and press be re-admitted to the meeting.

To resolve that the public and press be re-admitted to the meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor Peggs, seconded by Councillor B Samuels and RESOLVED to issue the following Press and Social Media release:

1.  Law Commission Burial and Cremation Consultation 2024.