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 Monday 13 November 2006 at 2.30 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 5 September 2006 enclosed, presented to Council on 2 October 2006.

3.       Matters arising, if any.

4.       Greenhouse, machinery store and other capital projects update.

5.       Annual wage and fee review. See attached confidential memorandum.

6.       Financial matters. Draft Budget for 2007/8 enclosed. Also attached is a schedule of suggested projects for 2007/8.

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

8.       Any other business.

 

 

 

 

 

D Tiffin,

Clerk of the Council

6 November 2006

 

 

Hexham Town Council

Council Office, St Andrews Cemetery

West Road, Hexham NE46 3RR

Answerphone on 01434609575

Mobile on 07710055051

 

 

Hagenda1106cemetery


 

HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL BURIAL BOARD MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THE 5 SEPTEMBER 2006

 

487.  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.

488.  APOLOGIES for absence were received from Cllrs J M Lambert and G C Ferguson.

489.  MINUTES. It was AGREED to receive the minutes of the meeting held on the 22 May 2006, presented to Council on the 5 June 2006.

490.  MATTERS ARISING.

a.       LODGE CH SYSTEM. Minute 477 refers. As previously reported to full Council the tender by J P Westall Ltd had been accepted and the work should be carried out in September/October 2006 and when convenient to the tenant.

b.       CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. Minute 485 refers. Tenders had been requested from NCC and Bartram Walker Ltd. A report will be made to full Council in due course.

491.  WATER SUPPLY. A meeting had been arranged with the Golf Club on the 12 September 2006. A report will be made to Committee in due course.

492.  GREENHOUSE AND MACHINERY STORAGE BUILDING. The planning approval had been received and tenders will be sought shortly. A full report will be made to the Council when tenders have been received. An application for finance will then be made to the PWLB when the total required had been ascertained. The PWLB would not accept applications until the total loan requirement was known. Applications ‘in principle’ were not accepted.

493.  COMPUTER. The memorandum of the Clerk was noted and after consideration it is RECOMMENDED that tenders are obtained for:-

                                                               i.      Supply and setting up a computer with broadband connection in the Council office and the setting up of a broadband connection to the Cemetery computer and the computer sited at the Clerks home office.

                                                             ii.      Setting up of a network link of both computers.

494.  WEB SITE. The memorandum of the Clerk was noted and after consideration it is RECOMMENDED that tenders are obtained for:-

a.       Creating and maintaining a web site for the Council with the title ‘Hexham.gov.uk’ including entry in all major search engines.

b.       Included in the site will be pages for

                                                               i.      Councillors details including an email addresses for each Councillor [eg BPickering@hexham.gov.uk]

                                                             ii.      Hexham history.

                                                            iii.      Hexham Town Council information.

                                                           iv.      Hexham TC Minutes, with searching facility of archive copies.

                                                             v.      Linking pages to [for example] Tynedale Council, NCC, Hexhamnet, Tourist organisations, etc.

                                                           vi.      Local searchable map.

                                                          vii.      Suggestions for additional pages/details are requested from Councillors.

495.  ALLOTMENTS RENTAL. These rents are reviewed annually and due to the period of notice that has to be given of any increase, any change agreed now will commence on the 1 April 2008. It is RECOMMENDED the rent be increased from £40.00 to £44.00 from 1 April 2008. It was also suggested a competition may be held for the ‘Best allotment’. The Mayor agreed to donate a suitable trophy should this competition be agreed and held.

496.  CEMETERY RECORDS. The memorandum of the Clerk was noted. The very poor condition of the Burial record books used [since 1890 or earlier] was a matter of concern. After viewing a demonstration of a computer based storage system suggested by the Clerk, which involved initially on site scanning of all burial record books by TownsWeb Archiving Ltd., it is RECOMMENDED:-

a.       In order to provide a permanent record of all entries on computer disc, all burial record books are scanned and the records also entered into a database so that instant searches can be made from very few known details.

b.       It was noted the quote for scanning alone was £1704.00 and the quote including the database was £5059.00 and that payment may be made over two financial years.

497.  CEMETERY CHARGES. It was RECOMMENDED the charges be increased by approximately 5% to the sums shown on the attached Charges schedule from 1st April 2007.

498.  CEMETERY RULES. It was RECOMMENDED the present Rules remain the same. A copy is attached hereto.

499.  ENTRANCE LAY BY AND GATEWAY TO CEMETERY. The present very poor condition of the tarmac both on the lay by and at the Cemetery entrance gate meant renewal was needed. This work had been listed for the 2006/7 budget but then set aside pending the costing for the new store building. It is RECOMMENDED that the lay by and the entrance gateway are re-tarmaced in 2006/7 alongside and during the construction of the new store building and it is noted the cost will be [estimated] £5456. The pathway adjoining the highway is the responsibility of the NCC and it is RECOMMENDED NCC is asked to re-tarmac the footpath at the same time. The [estimated] cost to the NCC would be £1746.

500.  FINANCE. It is RECOMMENDED the finance required to carry through the Greenhouse and Machine Store building plus the tarmacing of the entrance lay-by be totalled and the Council applies to the PWLB for a loan to cover this total.

501.  INSURANCE REVISIONS. After noting the current figures for cover and the report of the surveyors report of values it is RECOMMENDED the following amendments be made to the policy cover:

a.       Mayors chain of office from £823.67 to £1600.00.

b.       Deputy Mayors chain of office from £300.00 to £800.00.

c.       [West] Chapel from £391026.79 to £336000.00.

d.       [East] Chapel, used for storage, from £391026.79 to £336000.00.

e.       Entrance walls and gates from 84221.15 to £62000.00.

f.        Additionally add for supply only of decorative stonework to said buildings £320000.00.

g.       The Board did not consider the Fidelity Guarantee cover needed to be altered from the current £5000.00. The suggestion of the audit that it be at least £100000.00 was not considered necessary in view of the small amounts of cash and cheques held overnight by staff.

h.       All other levels of cover were noted and considered adequate.

502.  The Clerk reported the old toilet accommodation at the farthest western boundary of the Cemetery was planned by him to be renovated in 2007/8. The expansion of the Cemetery towards this area means the public, many elderly; attending funerals have to walk long distances to the nearest WC. This proposal is RECOMMENDED and finance should be included in the 2007/8 budget.

503.  NEXT MEETING. It was AGREED the next meeting would be held on 13 November 2006 at 2.15pm.

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


 

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