February 2024 Minutes EOM
DEEPING ST JAMES PARISH COUNCIL
The Institute, 38 Church Street, Deeping St James, PE6 8HD
E-mail: clerk@deepingstjames-pc.gov.uk
Tel: 01778 343266
Webpage: //deeping-st-james.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Facebook: Deeping St James Parish Council
Parish Clerk: Julie Fortnum
The Minutes of the extraordinary meeting of Deeping St James Parish Council held in the meeting room at The Institute 38 Church Street Deeping St James PE6 8HD on Tuesday 6 February 2024 at 8pm.
Present: Parish Councillors Bowell, Denman, Dilks (County and District), Fowler, Gilbert, Halls, Hosking, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith, Stevens and Townsin.
The minutes were taken by the Parish Clerk.
24.128 To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.
Apologies had been received and were accepted from Councillor Rose
24.129 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any interest in agenda items not previously recorded on the registration of disclosable pecuniary interest forms.
Councillor Gilbert declared that he had close relatives buried or with exclusive rights of burial within this section of the Cemetery.
24.130 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 23 January 2024.
Agreed and signed.
24.131 To receive any update on matters arising from the previous minutes.
None.
24.132 To consider the quotation received for the reduction of the Yew Trees and Conifer Trees in the Old Cemetery.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that it was imperative that work on the Conifers behind the Burghley Close properties was completed as soon as possible. Several Councillors felt that the quotations were too high and suggested alternative contractors who could be approached for comparative quotations. Councillor Denman advised that birds do nest in Conifers so anybody doing this work would have to be mindful of this. Councillor Gilbert offered to approach at least two other contractors and hopefully have the quotations to share at the Council meeting on 20 February 2024.
It was RESOLVED to move into closed session in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed in relation to the following matters.
24.133 To consider the complaint received about the allocation of burial plots within Deeping St James Cemetery.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe provided a resume of the issue stating that the holder of a grant of exclusive right of burial relating to a certain plot had lodged a complaint as they were of the opinion that their plot had been used for the burial of another.
It was RESOLVED that a deceased person had been buried in the incorrect place.
It was also RESOLVED that Deeping St James Parish Council should make the application to the Ministry of Justice requesting an exhumation.
It was agreed that Deeping St James Parish Council should contact the deceased’s family to explain what has happened and what the Parish Council intend to do.
It was also agreed that guidance should be sought from a Solicitor on the wording of this letter and whether a letter should also be issued to the complainant and if so, what should be included.
It was RESOLVED to move out of closed session
24.134 Parish Pump - items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
Following the recent flooding locally Councillor Denman asked if there was anything in the parish plan to cover this. Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that there was a Community Emergency Plan and she intended to form a working party to update and improve this.
Councillor Bowell advised those present that he was unwell and on new medication and requested 3-month sabbatical and proposed that in this absence Councillor Gilbert covered the role of Chair of the Finance policy and personnel committee. All of those present agreed this was a sensible decision and that Councillor Gilbert should cover the duties.
The Clerk advised that there was a Finance policy and personnel committee meeting scheduled for 8pm on Tuesday 13 February 2024. It was agreed that this meeting was not necessary however a meeting of the Personnel sub-committee was needed to considered the model contract of employment recently updated by the National Association of Local Council and the Society of Local Council Clerks. It was agreed that this meeting should take the place instead of the Finance policy and personnel committee meeting.