COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of a Meeting of the

 MEETING OF THE ADOPTIVE ACTS COMMITTEE

PRESENT:            Cllrs: P. Brockwell, M. Coker, G. Harris, M. Innes, M-L. Kellaway,

Jean Stretton, M. Wellman and H. J. Woodbridge.

OPEN FORUM: Mr Manning was at the meeting to complain about the state of the cemetery when he was visiting his parents graves in the crematorium area. He said the area looked a lot better tonight but he was still concerned about the state of the paths which needed some attention. The Clerk had explained that during May there often were days when the grass grew so quickly that it would look unkempt until the contractors returned to do their monthly maintenance. Cllr Woodbridge said that the Council had to keep within a tight budget for the cemetery maintenance which was a huge job.

1.            APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

All Councillors were present and there were no Declarations of Interest.

2.            APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN OF ADOPTIVE ACTS COMMITTEE: Cllr Coker nominated Cllr Brockwell. This was seconded by Cllr Innes and AGREED unanimously.

3.  CEMETERY:

a)                  Small projects for this financial year – It was AGREED to put the noticeboard on hold for the moment until other projects were decided. It was also AGREED to go ahead with the new heaters for the chapel. This project was put on hold last year when the budget was spent getting the wiring checked and certified. Improvements to the skip area were also discussed. The agreed project held over from last year to lay hoggin to the entrance of the skip area was discussed. The area would have to be at least 23ft x 23ft with possibly another six foot towards the extension. The mortuary would need new doors at some point but the hinges were to be kept. It was suggested that once water-tight, the mortuary could be used for storage. The slates on the roof would need repairing as soon as possible. The tree also needed pruning back to clear the mortuary guttering. The Clerk would talk to the sexton about aligning the cremation area to give more space around burial stones.

b)                  Major projects for coming years – Now that the Parish Council has heard from RBWM regarding the cemetery extension, the cemetery footpaths can now be progressed. After much discussion it was AGREED to leave the extension for the time being and progress the existing footpath improvements. This was proposed by Cllr Brockwell and seconded by Cllr Harris. Cllr Wellman was against this decision. The quotes would need to be up-dated and the Council would need to borrow money in order to complete this project. 

4.    CEMETERY EXTENSION: 

a)         Future use of the extension –  The Parish Council had recently received a letter from RBWM’s Chief Executive, Mr David Lunn, to say that in their opinion, the Parish Council had carried out terms addressed in the planning permission granted in 1995 and would not have to re-apply for planning permission in order to use the extension for burials. It was AGREED to go ahead and get the ground consecrated and the Chairman said that the Committee would have to allow around £500 for this.

5.   STREETLIGHTING:

a)            Review of projects – The Chairman said that the three concrete columns had been left last year due to the decision to replace the light in Odney Lane. It was AGREED to go ahead with replacing these columns as money allowed.

6.   WAR MEMORIALS:

a)            Refurbishment of the Tarrystone Seat: The Clerk said that Lambs had been intending to start this work at the beginning of May. It did not look as if any work had been carried out and the Clerk would find out why.

b)             Repairs to the War Memorials: The Clerk had written to six other companies to get some quotes to add to the two already in the office. One quote was from Lambs but was quite old. The other was from Stone Essentials but was very expensive. It was AGREED to review the quotes in the next meeting. The Clerk also informed the Committee that the Kings Hall were able to donate some money towards this work.

c)         Quotes for weeding and general tidy-up: It was AGREED to get some quotes to bring to the August meeting for cleaning up the war memorials and the area surrounding them. It was also AGREED to consider replacing the four cracked bollards at Cookham war memorial.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm