COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

MEETING OF THE ADOPTIVE ACTS COMMITTEE

PRESENT:       Cllrs: P. Brockwell, S. Fairlie, G. Harris, M Innes, M. Wellman and H. J. Woodbridge.

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Apologies were received from Cllr Coker. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2.  CEMETERY:

a)                  To approve the price increase from sexton Chris Hughes – After a review of prices currently being charged by RBWM, it was proposed by Cllr Prichard and seconded by Cllr Woodbridge to accept the new prices from Chris Hughes.

b)         To review new plants for central border – Cllr Harris has the matter in hand.

c)         To up-date the Committee on the path edging project following the advice from internal auditor – The Clerk explained that the motion passed in January to approve Joe Stoneman for the path edging at a cost of approx. £5,000 would need to be revisited because the three quotes received were not calculated on the same brief. It was AGREED to ask the same companies to re-quote for the work based on a tender document drafted by Cllr Prichard. On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Prichard it was AGREED to rescind minute no. 005 from the Full Council Meeting on 4^th January 2005.

d)         To formally approve the path edging tender – It was agreed that we would need to agree and cost a path surface before going ahead with the path edging. It was agreed to state the surface on the tender document. Cllr Harris said that item 8 should state hours of work but not on Sundays. The Clerk said that Just Fencing who did the path surfaces at Bray Allotments would visit the Cemetery and give some ideas on surfaces and costs. Cllr Harris still favoured crushed stone but Cllr Prichard was unsure whether it would bind. Cllr Prichard said that he would contact RBWM Highways department for advice. Cllr Woodbridge called for a special meeting once we had some more information to move forward on this topic.

e)                  To appoint a working team to revise the Rules and Regulations – The last set of printed Cemetery Rules were from 2001 and it was agreed that a small team could quickly recommend some revisions for the next meeting. Cllr Innes offered to help the Chairman and the Clerk. Cllr Prichard offered help if required.

f)          To discuss request from Mrs Nattress re: husband’s bench – The bench commemorating Mr Nattress is currently positioned immediately on the left of the Cemetery main gates. Mrs Nattress requested that the bench be moved closer to her husband and was happy to pay any costs involved. The Chairman had been to look at the site and confirmed that there was space to relocate the bench. Although the bench was set in concrete, the Councillors felt that the straps holding the bench could be easily removed and the concrete lifted into the new position. The Clerk was asked to get a quote for moving the bench.

3.    CHAPEL: 

a)         To up-date the Committee on replacing the Chapel heaters – The Chairman had spoken to Cllr Coker and felt that the heaters needed to be replaced with a new version of what was already there. The chapel is only used about 4 times a year and the need was for instant heat. The use of thermostats could ensure that the heaters did not get too hot. Cllr Harris had sourced some heaters at a cost of approx. £160 each. The wiring in the chapel would also need to be checked. Cllr Harris agreed to contact a local electrician to quote for the work.

5.   LIGHTING:  

a)                  To report any lights out or flickering – It was reported that the light outside 23, Dower House in Cookham was on all night. The Clerk said she would check the setting on this light. Cllr Woodbridge said that it should not be necessary to have this item on the agenda and if Councillors know of any faulty lights they should report it to the Clerk immediately.

b)                  To confirm progress on unit 22 at Odney Lane – Cllr Innes had spoken to the owners, Mr and Mrs Phillips who were quite happy for the lamp to be disconnected and a new lamp installed further down Odney Lane. It was AGREED that the Clerk would ask SEC for a quote.

6.   MEMORIALS:

a)                  Progress report on grant requests and action taken for seat behind Tarrystone in Odney Lane – The forms had been completed for the grant to restore the war memorials but they were asking for very exacting information about the techniques that Lambs would use to do the work. This would have to collated prior to the application being sent off. Letters had also been sent to stone masons about the seat but the Clerk said that we must establish ownership of the seat first. Moves were also being taken to try to trace the family of Commander Featherstone- Briggs (check).

b)                  Up-date on quotes for possible lighting of memorial in Cookham Village – The Chairman confirmed that SEC had been asked to look at this project and we were awaiting their initial report. A possible plan was to take a cable for the light outside The Crown and across the road. The other option was to take a cable down the length of The Causeway. Both options would be expensive and residents would have to be consulted.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm