Minutes of the meeting of the inaugural Cemetery Committee meeting held in Deeping St James Cemetery at 7.00pm on Wednesday, 8 August 2001.

Present were Councillors Auger, Fisk, Lewis and the clerk. Councillor Dilks attended in his capacity of Council Chairman. No members of the public were present.

001 ELECTION OF CHAIR

It was unanimously resolved to elect Councillor Fisk as the Chair of this committee.

002 INSPECTION OF CEMETERIES

The following action is recommended:

• The shed in the far corner is not used and is creating problems for ground maintenance. As it is in a reasonable condition, it should be offered for sale at a small fee subject to the buyer dismantling and removing it.

• The corrugated zinc metal sheets used by the gravediggers for grave spoil are in a poor condition and should be replaced.

• The clerk to ask L.C.C. for an extra allocation of 10 –12 deciduous, flowering trees for planting in the old cemetery in locations where no disturbance of graves will occur.

• Advice be obtained and followed from the District Council’s Tree specialist concerning the excessive growth of ivy in the London Plane Tree.

• Conifer trees on the Hereward Way/Burghley Close boundary to left as they are for the time being but their overall height and condition kept under review.

• The clerk to obtain ‘bio-degradable waste only’ signs for the composter.

• S.K.D.C. to be asked to dig out the elder growing through the cemetery fence from the graveyard.

• Garden Groomers to be asked to spray off all the paths in the cemeteries and trim the hedge at the bottom of the new cemetery.

• In light of the Council’s resolution to see ‘No Cycling’ Orders revoked, the spiked railings to the old cemeteries will need grinding off for safety reasons. B & R Fabrications to be asked for advice and a quote.

• Wayne Huddlestone to be engaged to carry out the following works:

• Dig out the dead tree stump at the end of the second footpath in the old cemetery.
• Dig out the metal post near the railings in the very oldest part of the cemetery.
• Dig out the elder in the new cemetery near the fence with the graveyard.
• Reduce the level of elder, nettles and other weeds in the margin of the old cemetery’s boundary with Hereward Way/Burghley Close, paying close attention to the needs of the wildlife which lives there.
• Commence a programme of wire-brushing and re-painting the railings to the old cemetery.

003 REVIEW OF BURIAL FEES

The Committee reviewed the existing fees and recommends that fees should remain at the their current level except for the interment of cremated remains. Where exclusive rights of a full-size grave are purchased, the interment fee should be increased to £40, the same as for burial. As an alternative to a full size grave, half plots should be offered at half cost (i.e. £20 for the exclusive rights and £20 for the interment) on the understanding that the size of any memorial will be restricted to a flat tablet not exceeding 18" x 18" x 3". A separate portion of the cemetery, near to the boundary hedge with Priory Close, should be given over to this type of interment.

004 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 8.35pm.