CC June 2024 Minutes
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
Dear Councillors Bowell, Halls, Hosking, Shinkins-Hoppe, Stevens and Townsin
The minutes of the Cemetery Committee meeting which was held on Tuesday 4 June 2024 at 7.00pm in the meeting at the Institute.
Present: Councillors Halls, Hosking, Shinkins-Hoppe, Stevens and Townsin
The minutes were taken by the Parish Clerk
25.1 To elect a Chairperson
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that Councillor Stevens would be the Chairperson
25.2 To receive apologies of absence.
Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillor Bowell
25.3 To receive any declarations of interest.
None declared.
24.4 To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 6 March 2024.
Agreed and signed.
24.5 Clerks report.
The fees, rules and regulations have been updated and added to the webpage as well as being circulated with the local Funeral Directors and Memorial Masons. The fee increases had been accepted by all the Funeral Directors and Memorial Masons that DSJPC dealt with. It was noted that a Peterborough Funeral Director had commented that the fees were still on the low side
There are 3 cremated remains interments and 3 burials arranged throughout June 2024
It is becoming more common for the Clerk to spend a larger amount of time than previously with relatives of the deceased discussing the options available to them and assisting them in locating the graves of family members. As an earlier visit to the Cemetery had shown that some graves did not have headstones it was decided that Councillor Stevens would contact Deeping Men in Sheds to see if they were able to make some 18” crosses to use as markers which would assist with searches for graves.
Planning permission has been obtained for the removal of the conifers located behind the Burghley Close properties and the work is scheduled to take place on Friday 6 September 2024
An Arborist is scheduled to assess the Wellingtonia tree in the old section of the Cemetery on 10 June 2024 and provide a schedule of works if they are required
There have been no burials or cremated remains interments since the last meeting on 6 March 2024 however, there are 3 interments of cremated remains and 3 burials arranged to take place throughout June 2024 (along with 3 burial reservation requests)
24.6 To consider a request from a relative to purchase the exclusive right of burial for grave spaces F18,19 and 20 (out of sequence with current usage), F18 for use following a future exhumation and re-burial, F19 for a burial arranged for 21 June 2024 and F20 for the reservation of the partner of the deceased.
The committee agreed to this request with two conditions attached. Firstly, that the exhumation should be applied for within a year, and secondly, if the licence was granted, that the exhumation should be completed within two years of the licence date.
24.7 To discuss the laying of a footpath in the recently extended section of the Cemetery (section F)
Following an earlier visit to the Cemetery it was acknowledged that there was a need for a footpath to be installed in the newly extended section, section F, of the Cemetery. The laying of a grid which allowed grass to grow through it was the favoured option and Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe offered to contact providers to obtain advice and a quotation.
Councillor Gilbert joined the meeting.
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 matter.
24.8 To receive an update about the request or exhumation following the burial in a grave reserved for another.
It was noted that the Councillors Gilbert and Shinkins-Hoppe along with the Parish Clerk were progressing this matter. As the newly elected Chair of this committee Councillor Stevens requested that she was copied in to all communications relating to this matter.
24.9 To note the date of the next meeting – 7pm Tuesday 3 September 2024