COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

MEETING OF THE ADOPTIVE ACTS COMMITTEE

PRESENT:       Cllrs: P. Brockwell, M. Coker, G. Harris, A. Prichard,

M. Wellman and H. J. Woodbridge.

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Apologies were received from Cllr M. Innes. There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman began the meeting by referring to the Terms of Reference that limits Committee members to just five Councillors. The Chairman said she would like to increase the numbers on her Committee from five to seven and will ask for this to be included in a new Terms of Reference that can be formally adopted at the next AGM in May 2005.

2.  CEMETERY:

a)         To approve price increases for sexton, Chris Hughes – The Committee agreed unanimously to accept the price increases for Chris Hughes but to also circulate the prices of Neil Curtis.

b)                  Report on specification for path edging, path surfaces and repair of blocked soakaway – The specification is in progress but not quite ready. The Chairman mentioned using the 106 money for a more expensive option on the path and showed the Committee a brochure for a natural stone path. Cllr Wellman said that we should go for larger projects. Cllr Woodbridge reminded the Committee that the upkeep also needs to be costed. Cllr Harris said he would like to see the area around the Chapel paved.

c)         Safety of memorials at Cookham Cemetery – The Committee noted that a review of the risk of memorials toppling should be included on our risk register. It was agreed to get a copy of the industry guidance available on the web site as part of our information gathering before deciding the action to take.

d)         Agree procedure for burial of ashes in Cremation area – It was agreed that the procedure for families wishing to bury ashes at the Cemetery needs clarifying. The Clerk would draft a procedure sheet to circulate to families wishing to bury ashes in future. It was agreed that it was not appropriate to ask the Sexton to formally place the casket in the ground. This should be carried out by an attendant from the undertaker, by a representative from the church or by the family themselves.

3.            LIGHTING:

a)                  Update on lights out and lights flickering – The two concrete columns ordered for Southwood Gardens is on going following a site visit between SEC and the Chairman.

4.   ALLOTMENTS:

a)                  Revisions for Allotment Rules and Regulations – Various alterations were agreed including the renewal from 1^st September, payable by the 24^th October every year and fires must be attended at all times.

b)                  Confirmation of Allotment Award Winners – The judging on the Allotments has now been completed and the winners confirmed as:

Cookham Dean Allotment: Winner - Mr J. Bertram, Highly Commended –

Mr M. Davis.

Sutton Allotment: Winner Mr R. Johnson, Highly Commended – Mrs R. Howells, Mrs R. Davis, Mr M. Hutchins.

Cookham Rise Allotment: Winner – Mr B. Jones.

5.   MEMORIALS:

Consider works required for memorial maintenance before submitting grant application for 106 agreement money:

The Chairman wishes to apply for a grant from a fund hosted by the Wolfson Foundation and English Heritage for the memorials at Cookham and Cookham Dean. The Clerk will ask Lambs to quote for:

Cookham Dean Memorial – to paint the names of the WW2 soldiers in white to match WW1.

Cookham Village Memorial – to add two new names and to repaint the names from 1945 on the West side of the memorial.

The grant application needs to be received by 31^st October 2004.

The meeting closed at 10.10pm