HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

 

Hexham Burial Board

 

I HEREBY GIVE NOTICE THAT a Meeting of the Hexham Burial Board Committee will be held in the Council Office, St Andrews Cemetery, West Road, Hexham on Tuesday 5th September 2006 at 2.15 PM when the following items will be discussed:-

 

 

A G E N D A

 

 

1.       Apologies for absence.

2.       To agree the Minutes of the Hexham Burial Board Management Committee meeting held on the 22 May 2006 enclosed, presented to Council on 5 June 2006.

3.       Matters arising, if any.

4.       Water supply – update.

5.       Greenhouse and machinery store update.

6.       Web site/computer. See memorandum enclosed.

7.       Cemetery records. See memorandum enclosed.

8.       Allotments rental review. See memorandum enclosed.

9.       Cemetery charges review. See memorandum enclosed.

10.   Cemetery entrance gateway and lay-by. See memorandum enclosed.

11.   Financial matters. See memorandum enclosed.

12.   To agree a date for the next Committee meeting.

13.   Any other business.

 

 

 

 

 

D Tiffin,

Clerk of the Council

25 August 2006

 

 

Hexham Town Council

Council Office, St Andrews Cemetery

West Road, Hexham NE46 3RR

Answerphone on 01434609575

Mobile on 07710055051

 

 

hagenda0906cemetery


 

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL BURIAL BOARD MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THE 22 MAY 2006

 

471.PRESENT. Cllr. J B Jonas, Deputy Town Mayor in the Chair together with Cllrs. B Pickering the Town Mayor, Cllrs Mrs I C Whale, M Way and T Robson.

472.CHAIRMAN. It was AGREED Cllr J B Jonas be re-elected to chair the committee.

473.APOLOGIES for absence were received from Cllrs J M Lambert and D Kennedy.

474.MINUTES. It was AGREED to receive the minutes of the meeting held on the 6 February 2006, presented to Council on the 6 March 2006.

475.MATTERS ARISING. There were no matters arising.

476.WATER SUPPLY. In view of the confidential nature of the matters to be discussed under this heading it was AGREED the matter should remain confidential. Detailed minute is attached hereto.

477.LODGE CENTRAL HEATING. Noting the memorandum circulated it was AGREED tenders be obtained for the replacement of the oil fired central heating boiler with a solid fuel system and also for a propane gas system. As finance had not been allowed for this work redecoration of the interior and exterior of the Cemetery premises will be deferred pending completion of this and other urgent works.

478. GREENHOUSE AND MACHINERY STORAGE BUILDING. The revised plans for this building were perused and were AGREED. The Council is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals and to support the planning application when received. The proposed building will no longer be on the site of the existing greenhouses but aligned east west alongside the pathway to the north of the Lodge garden. In addition the plans will be amended to include toilet accommodation for staff and public use; this amendment will be more economical than adapting the present toilets to DDA specification.

479.ADAPTING PRESENT TOILET ACCOMMODATION TO DDA SPECIFICATION. As reported in the previous minute this particular work is no longer to proceed.

480.MACHINERY REPLACEMENT. After noting an oral report from the Chairman on the demonstration of a replacement for the Countax mower it is RECOMMENDED a MK2 Great Dane Super Surfer grass cutter with calor gas conversion be purchased from Lloyd Ltd at a cost of £6160.00 using the Countax in part exchange. The 2006/7 budget figure set aside for this replacement was £7000.00. Staff will be fully trained [foc] in the use of the machine and certificates of competence issued to them.

481.CEMETERY CHAPEL. Due to the annual problem in the Chapel with fly infestation, it had been necessary to close the Chapel until June. This problem occurred each year and despite trying many differing methods to eradicate the flies the problem occurred every year as soon as the weather warmed up. The Superintendent suggested the Chapel in the future is closed during April and May and this action is RECOMMENDED.

482.CHAPEL DECORATION. A complaint had been received that the Chapel decoration was poor and detracted from the use of the building. The Clerk and the Superintendent had agreed its condition was very poor and therefore during the current closure temporary repairs to decoration had been carried out. The complete redecoration of the Chapel is listed in the 2006/7 budget but cannot be carried out until works to the new storage building is complete and total funding requirement clarified.

483.CEMETERY FEES. A further complaint had been received on the fees charged for those who did not reside in the Parish and who consequently paid nothing towards the cost of the Cemetery. It was AGREED a press release could be drafted in case any similar complaints result in adverse press articles and it was also noted the complainant had been written to with an explanation of the losses the Cemetery made.

484.SCARBOROUGH COUNCIL. Cllr B Pickering advised he intended to travel to Scarborough to discuss with Scarborough Council the way in which its finances were supported by its District Council. He felt it might be advantageous to the Council and to Tynedale Council if his interpretation of the methods used was correct. The Committee AGREED he should report to the Council thereafter.

485.CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. As there was no separate Committee to deal with this subject the Chairman suggested the Burial Board Committee consider the suggestion that additional displays be purchased to decorate the lighting columns on Beaumont Street [8 in all]. The design suggested was considered and it was AGREED they would be an attractive style in keeping with the historic nature of the area. The cost was entirely within the total set aside for additional displays with the 2006/7 budget. Contractors will now be approached to ascertain interest in tendering for the erection/dismantling of the 2006/7 display.

486.NEXT MEETING. It was AGREED the next meeting would be held on 14 August 2006 at 2.00pm.

 

 

 

---------------------------------------------Chairman


 

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

 

CONFIDENTIAL MINUTE OF THE HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL BURIAL BOARD MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THE 22 MAY 2006

 

476.WATER SUPPLY. After noting the memorandum circulated on the history of the water supply and the leakages that had occurred and after lengthy discussions it was AGREED that

a.       A site meeting must be arranged with the water company to further consider the matter. Cllrs B Pickering and J B Jonas will attend with the Clerk.

b.      The Clerk will further investigate this matter with the nearby property owner at Spital Lodge.

c.       An informal discussion could take place with the Golf Club.

d.      The outstanding water company account should be paid.

 

 

 

---------------------------------------------Chairman


 

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

 

MEMORANDUM TO THE HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL BURIAL BOARD MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 5 SEPTEMBER 2006

 

 

                                                               i.      Web site & COMPUTER. The Council does not have a web site and may wish to have one.

1.      Domain name. Hexham.gov.uk is available and is the usual local government web page name format. It could be ‘booked’ and a yearly fee paid to retain it.

2.      The Courant hosts Hexhamnet and this was used to host a page[s] under the Town Council heading but this page[s] was never the responsibility of the Council [nor were we asked to input anything to it]. It is now out of date or just plain wrong. It has been suggested that these pages could be updated but this is not the way to provide a proper Council site web site. Hexhamnet can be linked; as of course can any other sites such as Tynedale DC, Northumberland CC to Hexham.gov.uk.

3.      If a Council site is to be created it needs to be set up by someone who specialises in this work. Once set up it would need to be updated [say] monthly with minutes, agendas, etc. This updating could be done by non technical persons such as your Clerk!!

                                                             ii.      Computer. If there is a web site then it must provide email so that the public, other authorities and organisations can contact the Council. I have my own Internet access but this is not broadband and anyway I personally pay for it. Broadband is the format needed to run a proper site and to deal with emails. Town Councillors would have individual email addresses within the Council site.

                                                            iii.      The computer at the Cemetery office uses Windows ME 2000 operating system, now out of date and so the operating system needs to be updated.

                                                           iv.      The Courant has quoted to set up a web site for the Council but I consider the quote is rather high and the site manager currently setting up Corbridge.gov.uk may be more competitive. I therefore RECOMMEND quotes are obtained to

1.      Supply and set up a computer suitable for web site hosting and for emails with a broadband connection. [In addition the computer I use at home could be ‘linked’ to the cemetery office system provided I had a home broadband connection too. The Cemetery computer would then be available to me at home and vice versa].

2.      Create and maintain a web site Hexham.gov.uk.

3.      Arrange monthly updating of the site.

    1. CEMETERY RECORDS. Many books used to store Cemetery records are very old as the Cemetery began in 1860. Although we have been slowly transferring early records to a new book this takes some time and even when complete it will still be a paper based system. I have looked at a system that places all our burial record books onto DVD’s which can then be searched via computer, page by page and if required copies could be made of any entry, emailed or faxed or included in another document. The cost would be £1704.00 and the Company quoting this is TownsWeb Archiving Ltd. All scanning is on site and so no record books would leave our office. The company has carried out this work for many District and Parish/Town Councils and I have a demonstration disc which will show the Committee how the records become available on computer. In view of the very poor condition of the current record books I RECOMMEND this archiving is carried out.
    2. If the scanned records were then entered in a database to enable an individual entry to be searched for, the total cost would be £5059.00. [This is subject to checking the fields needed on the database. The quote is for seven fields but I consider five is enough]. The database could be searched under many separate headings e.g. first name; last name; date of burial; grave number; etc. etc. If added to a web site such a database could then be searched by the public. I RECOMMEND this additional recording is left for a year or two to see how the basic system works.
    3. Allotments. Rents need to be reviewed annually. The present rent is £37.00 and there is an already agreed increase to £40.00 from 1 April 2007. Any change agreed now will commence 1 April 2008. I RECOMMEND no increase on 1st April 2008. There have been very few outgoings on the allotments over the years and income [£3071 pa maximum current] has exceeded expenditure for many years past.
    4. CEMETERY CHARGES. I RECOMMEND a 5% increase [rounded up] and the charges would then be as PAGE 1 attached. Current charges are as PAGE 2 attached.
    5. CEMETERY RULES. No amendments are felt necessary but it is RECOMMENDED a single page leaflet is printed of the rules, to be handed out to all users.
    6. ENTRANCE ‘LAY-BY AND ENTRANCE GATEWAY. The tarmac on both these areas is in very poor condition and there are places where major work is needed in levelling.

                                                               i.      I have checked with NCC Highways for the ownership of the area and it is the Council’s. [See map attached.] I RECOMMEND the area is tarmaced and bollards are installed along the line marked A-B. Bollards will prevent use of the area by local garages that use it as a turning area many times weekly. When a funeral takes place, the bollards will be removed [if removable types are installed]. If Committee agrees it will further need to agree the bollards type [removable or not].

                                                             ii.      The cost of a bollard is £225 or £122 if non removable. I estimate twelve bollards will be needed.

                                                            iii.      The cost to tarmac the areas is £5456 though this is subject to tender.

                                                           iv.      I also RECOMMEND the NCC is asked for the footpath area to be tarmaced at the same time. The estimated cost to the NCC would be £1746.00.

    1. FINANCIAL MATTERS.

                                                               i.      Regarding finance required for the lay by and gateway areas I RECOMMEND if this work is recommended by committee that

1.      Tenders are obtained.

2.      The finance needed is added to the loan to be applied for from the PWLB for the Store, greenhouse and toilets. The tarmac work is considered an improvement to the structure of the Cemetery.

                                                             ii.      INSURANCE.

1.      Council has to consider the Audit report from last year. It suggested cover for Fidelity Guarantee insurance be reviewed. It is presently £10000.00 and covers the Council should any staff defraud the Council. I have always felt that this was an adequate amount as it is far in excess of any cash/cheques held by staff. The Auditor suggested cover should be for the amount in the Bank account and so I obtained a quote for £100,000.00 cover which means an additional premium of £441.00. However should Council decide the present cover is sufficient then that is all that is required to comply with Financial Regulations. In these regulations insurance cover needs to be reviewed annually, [as it has been up to now] and the decision minuted.

2.      All [other] insurances need to be reviewed annually and Committee may remember all premises were re-valued last year by Lewis Smith Associates. The various sums insured at present are listed on the attached copy of the Policy schedule. I suggest these are, under most headings, adequate sums insured. [The schedule does not include vehicles [Mazda pick up and Kubota tractor] which are separately insured under comprehensive motor policies. However the revaluations of the Cemeteyr premises were deferred pending a specialist survey of the decorated stonework. This has now shown figures in excess of current cover. The Surveyors recommended sums insured are listed below and I RECOMMEND insurance cover is amended accordingly:-

a.       West Chapel                            £336,000.00

b.      East Chapel                              £336,000.00

c.       Walls and entrance gates           £62000.00

d.      Plus, for supply only of decorative stonework                                        £320,000.00

e.       TOTAL                                    £1,054,000.00

D Tiffin, Clerk of the Council, 18 August 2006


P A G E T W O

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

ST. ANDREWS CEMETERY, WEST ROAD, HEXHAM, NE46 3RR. [on the B6531]

A. David Boaden, Cemetery Manager, Council Office, St. Andrews Cemetery, Hexham NE46 3RR. [Answerphone/Fax on 01434609575 or Mobile on 07710053732

 

C H A R G E S  A N D  R U L E S - 2006/2007

 

48 hours advance notice must be given for all burials

The Standard charge is payable UNLESS the deceased was before [that is within 12 months of] death a resident living in Hexham Parish

 

PART 1: Burials [These charges apply if the burial takes place Monday to Friday]

 

 

Standard charge

Parish resident

1

Body of a stillborn child or baby not over six months old

NIL

NIL

2

Body or cremated ashes of a child

260

60

3

Body of a person whose age at death exceeded 12 years

1100

275

4

Cremated ashes of person whose age at death exceeded 12 years

360

90

5

For graves more than 5 foot deep a further fee for each additional foot depth of

180

45

 

PART 2: Rights granted

 

 

Standard charge

Parish residents

1

Right of burial for 99 years

140

35

2

Right to construct and to burial in a walled grave

Fee by prior arrangement

Fee by prior arrangement

3

Right to erect a memorial for 30 years

1100

275

4

Renewal of Right to Erect a memorial for a further 30 years

FOC

FOC

 

PART 3: Woodland section. Charge includes the casket, a flat stone marker and a tree planting apart from Item [4] which includes the casket only

 

 

Standard charge

Parish resident

1

Burial

2200

550

2

Burial of Ashes in the area set aside

1320

330

3

Burial of Ashes or Body of baby not over 6 months old in the area set aside

1320

330

4

Burial of Ashes in pre-purchased plot. N.B. No additional plaque is permitted

180

45

 

PART 4: Other charges

 

 

Standard charge

Parish resident

1

Search of burial register and for copy of the entry

10.00

10.00

2

Certified copy of entry of burial

10.00

10.00

3

Transfer of Right of Burial

50.00

50.00

4

Use of the Chapel

50.00

50.00

5

Brass memorial plaque in the Chapel with up to 70 letters engraved

150.00

150.00

6

Every additional letter over 70 engraved on a memorial plaque

At cost

At cost

6

Sale of memorial fixing saddle, each

50.00

50.00

8

Any item not described heretofore

Fee by prior arrangement

Fee by prior arrangement

 

PART 5: Pet Cemetery charges

Fee includes exclusive right of burial for fifteen years renewable on payment of an additional fee

1

Burial of a pet dog, cat or other small  pet or the ashes thereof

50.00

2

For the same including numbered flat stone marker

90.00

3

Renewal of right of burial for additional 15 year period

50.00

 


P A G E O N E

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

ST. ANDREWS CEMETERY, WEST ROAD, HEXHAM, NE46 3RR. [on the B6531]

A. David Boaden, Cemetery Manager, Council Office, St. Andrews Cemetery, Hexham NE46 3RR. [Answerphone/Fax on 01434609575 or Mobile on 07710053732

 

C H A R G E S  A N D  R U L E S - 2007/2008

 

48 hours advance notice must be given for all burials

The Standard charge is payable UNLESS the deceased was before [that is within 12 months of] death a resident living in Hexham Parish

 

PART 1: Burials [These charges apply if the burial takes place Monday to Friday]

 

 

Standard charge

Parish resident

1

Body of a stillborn child or baby not over six months old

NIL

NIL

2

Body or cremated ashes of a child

275

65

3

Body of a person whose age at death exceeded 12 years

1155

290

4

Cremated ashes of person whose age at death exceeded 12 years

380

95

5

For graves more than 5 foot deep a further fee for each additional foot depth of

190

95

 

PART 2: Rights granted

 

 

Standard charge

Parish residents

1

Right of burial for 99 years

150

38

2

Right to construct and to burial in a walled grave

Fee by prior arrangement

Fee by prior arrangement

3

Right to erect a memorial for 30 years

1155

290

4

Renewal of Right to Erect a memorial for a further 30 years

FOC

FOC

 

PART 3: Woodland section. Charge includes the casket, a flat stone marker and a tree planting apart from Item [4] which includes the casket only

 

 

Standard charge

Parish resident

1

Burial

2300

580

2

Burial of Ashes in the area set aside

1385

345

3

Burial of Ashes or Body of baby not over 6 months old in the area set aside

1385

345

4

Burial of Ashes in pre-purchased plot. N.B. No additional plaque is permitted

190

48

 

PART 4: Other charges

 

 

Standard charge

Parish resident

1

Search of burial register and for copy of the entry

11.00

11.00

2

Certified copy of entry of burial

11.00

11.00

3

Transfer of Right of Burial

50.00

50.00

4

Use of the Chapel

50.00

50.00

5

Brass memorial plaque in the Chapel with up to 70 letters engraved

150.00

150.00

6

Every additional letter over 70 engraved on a memorial plaque

At cost

At cost

6

Sale of memorial fixing saddle, each

75.00

75.00

8

Any item not described heretofore

Fee by prior arrangement

Fee by prior arrangement

 

PART 5: Pet Cemetery charges

Fee includes exclusive right of burial for fifteen years renewable on payment of an additional fee

1

Burial of a pet dog, cat or other small  pet or the ashes thereof

55.00

2

For the same including numbered flat stone marker

100.00

3

Renewal of right of burial for additional 15 year period

55.00

 

PART 6: Cemetery Rules

[1] These Rules must be read in conjunction with the Rules relating to the erection and maintenance of Memorials.

[2]. In all matters relating to the Cemetery, the Council's decision is final. The Council acts under the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977 [as amended].

[3]. The Council may prune or remove any plants, pots, ornaments, shrubs, grass or trees anywhere within the Cemetery without notice or compensation, if the Council at its own absolute discretion considers it necessary for the good order and running of the Cemetery.

[4] After funerals all flowers and wreaths laid on a grave will be removed and disposed of not earlier than 14 days after the funeral takes place.

[5] After Christmas all flowers and wreaths laid on a grave will be removed and disposed of not earlier than the 14th February.

[6]. Grave Spaces. No marking, delineating or decoration of a Grave space is allowed. Any ornamentation on a grave will be removed. Grave spaces must be kept in a tidy condition. Please contact the Cemetery Manager if further clarification is needed.

[7] Memorial stones are not permitted unless a fee in Part 2 has been paid.

[8] Grave kerbs are no longer permitted anywhere in the Cemetery. Existing kerbs may be repaired or renewed.

[9] In the Woodland Burial section:-

An alternate flat stone marker to that provided by the Council may be used provided it is in stone size 9” by 9” by 2”[depth]. Any wording must include the plot number.

Flower bulbs can be planted but only with prior permission from the Cemetery Manager.

All trees planted in this section, the site of, the type of, and the retention of, are at the sole discretion of the Council.

Woodland burial plots cannot be purchased in advance but an adjoining plot, if available, may be purchased by the partner of the deceased. No refund is given if the plot is subsequently not used.

For a plot purchased before 31 March 2004 the refund of a prepaid fee is permitted if the Reservation Certificate issued at the date of purchase is returned with the request for a refund. 15% of the current fee [Part 3[1] will be charged and deducted from the original fee paid when the refund is made. No refund is given without the Reservation Certificate being produced.

[10] Motor Cars and Dogs [which must be held on a lead] are not allowed in the Cemetery without permission of the Cemetery Manager.

[12] The Pet Cemetery is open for burials between 3.30 PM and 4.30 PM, Monday to Friday.

[13]. The Cemetery is normally open between 9.00 AM and 6.00 PM [Dusk if earlier].

[14]. The Cemetery Manager is normally available for enquiries Monday to Friday [Bank Holidays excepted] between 9.00 AM and 3.00 PM and by telephoning 07710053732.

 

By order of the Council

Derick Tiffin, Clerk of the Council,

Council Office,

St Andrews Cemetery, West Road,

Hexham. NE46 3RR