COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

MEETING OF THE ADOPTIVE ACTS COMMITTEE

PRESENT:       Cllr P. Brockwell (Chairman)

Cllrs: M. Barnes, M. Brar, M. Coker, G. Harris, M. Innes

and H.J. Woodbridge.

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

There were no apologies or Declarations of Interest.

2.         CEMETERY:

a)                  Review of completed work on the paths and edging  – Most of the Councillors had taken the opportunity to visit the Cemetery before the meeting. Everyone agreed that the paths looked much better than before the work. Joe needed to do some tidying up of the edging where the lose soil had been raked. It was also noted that the main gates were catching on the surface and would need to be monitored.

b)         Review of the skip area and mortuary – This area had the new scalpings down but the Council would need to review the finished work. The scalpings may need to be enlarged to enable the skip to be stored next to the mortuary to discourage fly tipping. Cllr Harris was concerned that the scalpings were too high over the mortuary entrance but the Clerk said that Joe had put in a French drain. 

c)         Driveway improvements at the Cemetery entrance – The entrance to the main gates of the cemetery would need new tarmac. The Clerk was asked to check with RBWM as to the curtilage of the cemetery entrance – before getting some prices for the tarmac.

d)         Renovation of Cemetery main gates – It was agreed that the Clerk should get some advice and prices for the renovation of the main gates.

e)         Letter from Mr Michael Hampton – This letter was discussed at Council. Mr Hampton was complaining that his aunt could not get to the cremation section during the paths improvement project. The Clerk had answered his letter in full and was seeking the approval of the Council before sending it.

3.         CREMATION AREA: 

a)         Request for water in the Cremation Area – A request had been made for a water tap in the cremation area. The Council felt that this would be a good time to comply with the request because the extension field was already dug over in part due to the paths project. Cllr Harris and Wellman said that there was a standpipe in the cemetery extension and a pipe could be run along the hedge up to the Cremation Area.

b)         Cost of grave tidy service for Cremation Plots – At present the price of £50 was to be charged for a general visit with tidy up, stone clean and fresh flowers. It was AGREED that the cremation stones are much smaller and a fee of £30 would be charged.

4.         STREET-LIGHTING:

a)         General discussion on lighting projects – The Clerk would be seeking a quote for repair and monitoring of our lights from an alternative company to SEC in order to compare prices. The column replacement in Station Hill had not been invoiced despite the Clerk reminding RBWM after Christmas. The new lights had been installed in High Road and so far, no complaints. The Chairman received thanks from Mrs Gigg.

5.         WAR MEMORIALS:

The Clerk had contacted Neil Johnstone at Lambs and he had promised again to finish the work on the Tarrystone Plaque. The Clerk had some more people to contact regarding the unfinished work at Cookham Dean memorial.

The meeting closed at 9.40pm