Goudhurst and Kilndown Parish Council

GOUDHURST PARISH COUNCIL
Local Government for Goudhurst and Kilndown

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE GOUDHURST BURIAL BOARD
held at The Jessel Room, Goudhurst Parish Hall on Monday 17 March 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

PRESENT: Cllrs David Nichol (Chairman), Boniface, Noakes and Roberts.
Mr David Denton and Mr Brian Henley (Advisers).

APOLOGIES:
BB50/07 Apologies were accepted from Mrs Sue Crookall (Adviser).

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
BB51/07 The Minutes of the last meeting held on 18 October 2007 were agreed.

MATTERS ARISING
BB52/07 Tidy Up day on 27 October 07. BB27/07. The Chairman paid tribute to the significant contributions to a successful day by Brian Henley and the 1st Goudhurst Scout Group (supported by several parents).
BB53/07 Massereene and Ferrard enclosure at Christ Church. BB38/07. It was reconfirmed that the maintenance of this area is the responsibility of the family, not the Burial Board. The Clerk will mention this to Rev Bill Hornsby at a suitable occasion.
BB54/07 Blocked Drain by Ashes plots in St Mary’s Churchyard. BB45/07. Noted that Church warden Dr Jo Meyer had fixed the problem at the Tidy Up day in October 07.
BB55/07 Honey Fungus. BB47/07. The Chairman reported that the problem has not re-occurred and he proposes no further action should be taken.

CHURCHYARD AND BURIAL GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
The Clerk reported:
BB56/07 Rabbit proofing at Goudhurst Burial Grounds. BB21/07. Noted that the number of rabbits in the Burial Grounds appears to be fewer. The inspection of the fencing shows it to be in good repair generally. Steve Bryant has been asked to fix chicken wire to the small gate at the south end.
BB57/07 Rabbit shooting. BB22/07. The two guns who had expressed an interest have not been in evidence. Lenny Cullip says that he visits from time to time with his ferrets; he claims that on his last visit recently he bagged 9 rabbits.
BB58/07 Mortuary Building Maintenance. BB23/07. Mr Tim Sargeant has completed the repairs to the door lock.
Mr Crumpling had declined to quote for repairs to the roof and guttering. The Clerk will take advice from Madeleine Rose who is known to have access to someone who is likely to be willing to do the job.
BB59/07 St Mary’s Churchyard Gates. BB24/07. Mr Robin Chiles has completed the renovation to the Churchyard gates, and he has been paid by the Parish Council.
The small iron gates from Back Lane into the Cemetery, in need a coat of Hammerite, are with Mr Tim Sargeant. The job is not yet complete due to Mr Sargeant being unwell.
BB60/07 Dog Fouling. BB28/07. The low posts (20 ins high) with ‘No dog fouling’ notices attached are established along the Churchyard pathways at both St Mary’s and Christ Church, and Burial Board members reported that they seem to be having the desired effect.
BB61/07 Grave Diggers and Soil Disposal. BB29/07. Steve Bryant has levelled the area through the small gate at the south end of the Burial Grounds with his mini digger, and the Chairman subsequently removed a quantity of plastic bags with unpleasant contents. The Clerk will ask Steve Bryant to continue to keep the area as tidy as possible.
BB62/07 Jan Sienesi Hedge. BB30/07. The Clerk has reached agreement with Mrs Sienesi that the bedraggled hedge should be replaced, and she has made a contribution towards the cost of that. Steve Bryant has confirmed that he will replant using heathers.
BB63/07 Hedge on Eastern Side of Burial Grounds (Glebe Field). BB31/07. The Diocese has arranged to have the hedge cut.
BB64/07 Burial Ground Memorial Gates. BB32/07. Noted that they were badly damaged by a hit and run driver during the night of 07/08 March 2008. Wilmshurst has been asked to dismount them and transport them to British Gates for an assessment of the repairs needed. Noted that the gates are not covered on the Council’s insurance policy.
BB65/07 Burial Grounds Notice Board. BB34/07. This is now in position having been moved from The Plain. It needs a coat of paint, and a drip rail installed over the doors to minimise rain penetration, and the Clerk will deal with this matter.
BB66/07 Bench established by the Large family on the south side of St Mary’s. BB35/07. The Clerk has spoken to Mr Nigel Large who denies ownership. It was agreed that the bench (without its back) should be left in position, and could be replaced at a later date if a benefactor wished to donate a replacement at a later date.
BB67/07 Upkeep of Christ Church Churchyard (upper and lower areas). BB36/07. Mr Peter Watkins has confirmed he would like to continue to maintain the lower area. It was agreed that his hourly rate should be increased to be the same as is aid by Council for his Public Rights of Way maintenance.
Following Council Minute 189/07 of 10 March 2008, the Burial Board considered at some length the three quotations received for maintenance of the upper area. It was agreed to accept the quotation from Steve Bryant Grounds Care. The Clerk will ensure that the contractor is aware of the need to take care of the rare wild orchids and flowers.
BB68/07 Bathurst Enclosure by the west door at St Mary’s. BB37/07. Noted that one contractor has declined to bid for the repair and refurbishment of the iron railings. The Chairman had met a local blacksmith on site, and the recommendation with quotations was that considerable work is required to the railings which have rust and corrosion. It was agreed that the Clerk will seek a further quote from a third contractor for comparison.
Noted that although the Parish Council is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of St Mary’s Churchyard, it has no responsibility for the fabric of the Church building. It could be argued that the Bathurst Enclosure railings are part of the Church structure. It was also noted that trustees of the Bathurst Charity could not afford major expenditure with an income of c£950 annum. However, there is a need to keep up the appearance of the Churchyard as an amenity for local residents and tourist visitors. A further suggestion was that the railings should be removed permanently. It was agreed that the Clerk should seek the views of the PCC on this matter.
It was agreed for the present not to proceed any further with the proposal to put the enclosure down to bark chippings.
BB69/07 Weed Control. The Clerk confirmed that he had asked Weed Management to go ahead with a complete weed control application at St Mary’s and Christ Church before the end of March if possible weather permitting.
BB70/07 Trees planted on Graves. The Clerk confirmed that the owner of the grave at Row H, No 80 will remove the evergreen tree planted there.
BB71/07 Alignment of memorial tablets in the ‘top’ ashes plot. The Chairman of the Burial Board and the Clerk will make the needed minor adjustments as the weather improves.
BB72/07 Ridgeway Enclosure. Noted that Cllr Noakes had done some good work in clearing the brambles during the last tidy-up day. It was agreed that the future of these graves should be kept under review.
BB73/07 The Thorpe Grave. BB43/07. The matter of the headstone established on Row K, No 86 should have been placed at Row K, No 85 where the ashes of the deceased are interred according to the records is still outstanding. The Clerk is following up with the family, the Funeral Director and with the Monumental Mason involved. This matter is sensitive and may take time to resolve.
BB74/07 Path by the west door at St Mary’s. This has become very uneven and may have Health and Safety implications. Paul Filtness has been asked to inspect and quote for remedial work.
BB75/07 Shirley Memorial. This is now progressing. The family has placed an order through Memorials by Artists, and they have paid the fee to introduce the memorial. The Chairman has authorised the memorial to be 3 ins oversize in height.
BB76/07 Damage to the Cemetery Wall in Back Lane by Veolia. The Clerk was asked to press Veolia’s insurers hard for the damage to the stonework to be repaired to the highest possible standard.
BB77/07 Back Lane Steps Light. Noted this project is part of the Conservation Area Appraisal. The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Council has asked TWBC to fit effective controls to switch the lamp on and off. The lamp itself is due to be painted black with cream highlights.
BB78/07 Tree Branches down in the Back Lane Cemetery. The Chairman will tidy these up using his own equipment. The Clerk will ask Steve Bryant to dispose of the arisings.

FINANCE REPORT
BB79/07 The Clerk presented a table of figures showing receipts and payments against budget for recent years. There were no significant queries.

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETINGS
BB80/07 Monday, 21 July 2008 at the Quarry Centre at 7.30 pm
Monday, 20 October 2008 at the Jessel Room at 7.30 pm

The meeting closed at 8.50 pm

Anthony Farnfield, Clerk

BURIAL BOARD
Report for the Parish Council Meeting of 12th November 2007

Damage to the Cemetery Wall, Back Lane. For the record, on 26 November, a Veolia lorry gouged the wall with its wheel nuts quite severely. It has not caused structural damage however. Cllr Mrs Edmonston was a witness to the incident, and Cllr Tutt has photos taken soon after. The matter has been reported to Veolia’s Insurers. Clerk will seek advice on repairs from Mr Paul Filtness.
St Mary’s Churchyard, Cemetery and Burial Grounds mowing and hedge cutting contract. Mr Steve Bryant has proposed a 2.7% increase for 2008/09 over his 2007/08 contract prices. Burial Board recommends approval by Council.
Spoil Disposal Area to the South of the Burial Grounds at Goudhurst. Burial Board seeks approval of expenditure of up to £200.00 for a mini digger to clear, flatten and tidy the area in the current financial year.
Repairs to Burial Grounds Rabbit-Proof Fencing. Mr Bryant has said that he has inspected the fencing, and his report and quote for repairs is awaited.
Elder Trees at the west end of St Mary’s Churchyard. BB25/07. These have been considerably reduced.
Dog Fouling Notices. BB28/07. Additional notices on short stumps have been established at St Mary’s, as will those at Christ Church Kilndown. There will be sufficient for the Glebe Field at Goudhurst, and the Millennium Green at Goudhurst as well as at other ‘fouling hot-spots’.
Burial Grounds Gates Memorial Plaques. All 3 are now in place.
The Large Family Bench to the South of St Mary’s. BB35/07. Mr Nigel Large has informed the Clerk that he believes his family has nothing to do with the bench which is in a poor state of repair. However, a former Church Warden confirms that it was established by Mr Ken Large in memory of his father. The Burial Board will bring forward recommendations at their next meeting.

Clerk on behalf of Cllr David Nichol
04 December 2007

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE GOUDHURST BURIAL BOARD
held at The Jessel Room, Goudhurst Parish Hall on Thursday 18 October 2007 at 7.30 p.m.

PRESENT: Cllrs David Nichol (Chairman), Boniface, Noakes, Roberts and Mr David Denton (Adviser).

APOLOGIES:
BB19/07 Apologies were accepted from Canon Mackenzie (Adviser), Mrs Sue Crookall (Adviser) and Mr Brian Henley (Adviser).

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
BB20/07 The Minutes of the last meeting held on 26 July 2007 were agreed.

CHURCHYARD AND BURIAL GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
BB21/07 Rabbit proofing at Goudhurst Burial Grounds. Steve Bryant has been asked to carry out a survey on the fencing and report with a quote for repairs. This to include the gate at the south end. Noted however that the number of rabbits in the Burial Grounds appears to be much smaller than earlier in the year.
BB22/07 Rabbit shooting. Two people are interested and are being issued with letters of authority to shoot in the Burial Grounds.
BB23/07 Mortuary Building Maintenance. BB06/07. Mr Tim Sargeant has the repairs to the door lock in hand. It was agreed that the Clerk will seek advice from Mr Dench for recommendations on repairs to the roof and guttering.
BB24/07 St Mary’s Churchyard Gates. Mr Robin Chiles has taken the main gates from the west end of the Churchyard, and the small gate from the east end away for refurbishment. The small gate from the North wall will go for similar treatment soon. The Burial Board seeks approval in principle to pay Mr Chiles up to £250.00 for this work. The small wooden gates from Back Lane into the Cemetery need replacement hinges and Mr Chiles is to submit a quote for this. The small iron gates from Back Lane into the Cemetery need a coat of Hammerite, and it was agreed the Clerk will ask Mr Tim Sargeant to carry out this task. The Burial Board seeks approval in principle to pay up to £60.00 for this work.
BB25/07 Elder Trees in St Mary’s Churchyard. The TWBC Tree Officer has authorised work to considerably reduce these trees which are encroaching on the Star and Eagle premises. The Burial Board seeks approval in principle to pay up to £250.00 to Mr Steve Bryant for this work.
BB26/07 Hedges at St Mary’s. Steve Bryant has been asked to cut the new young hedges by the Back Lane steps, and around the oil tank.
BB27/06 Tidy Up Day will be on 27 October this year. The Chairman of the Burial Board has drawn up a substantial list of tasks and he is recruiting volunteers with enthusiasm.
BB28/07 Dog Fouling. It was agreed that low posts (20 ins high) with ‘No dog fouling’ notices attached to be positioned along the Churchyard pathways at both St Mary’s and Christ Church to replace those that have gone missing. The Burial Board seeks approval of expenditure for a mix of hardwood and softwood posts of £180.00 and dog signs of £133.00. TWBC no longer has small No Dog Fouling signs.
BB29/07 Grave Diggers and Soil Disposal. The Clerk confirmed that he has reminded the grave diggers to spread such arisings in the area to the south of the small gate at the bottom end of the Burial Grounds. In the meantime Steve Bryant has been asked to level that area and tidy it up with his mini digger.
BB30/07 Jan Sienesi Hedge. BB03/07. The Clerk will arrange a meeting with Mrs Sienesi and the Chairman of the Burial Board to discuss the future of the Euonymous hedge by the ashes plots which is not flourishing.
BB31/07 Hedge on Eastern Side of Burial Grounds (Glebe Field). BB04/07. It still needs cutting on top on the Glebe Field side. Cllr Nichol has spoken to Canon Mackenzie about this, and the Clerk has written to him. There has been no positive response so far. Noted that Canon Mackenzie retired at the end of September 07 and leaves the Parish shortly. The Clerk will approach Philip Bell, the Diocesan surveyor to resolve the issue.
BB32/07 Burial Ground Memorial Gates. There is a gap on the east side adjoining the laurel hedge that needs attention. Cllr Nichol has checked with Mr and Mrs Sargeant and has established that they have materials and plans to fix this problem. The Clerk and Burial Board Chairman will follow up.
BB33/07 Burial Grounds Gates Memorial Plaques. BB14/07 refers.
The Chappel one is in place.
The Foster & Hodge donation has been received from America, and the Clerk has the plaque ready for mounting.
The Bridgland donation has been received from Mrs Cole at Bedford, and the Clerk has this plaque also ready for mounting.
Council has received a donation of £100.00 from K B Sills
BB34/07 Burial Grounds Notice Board. BB09/07. Mr Richard Crumpling has submitted a quote for moving the surplus notice board from The Plain to the Burial Grounds and establishing it there. Burial Board seeks approval to spend £360.00 on oak posts, transport, fixings and labour for this job. The Chairman of the Burial Board and the Clerk having visited the site suggested that it be established with its back to the laurel hedge, just to the east of the blue waste bin, and this was agreed by the Burial Board. It was agreed that the suggestion that the bin area should be put down to tarmac and screened by a suitable hedge, and that the area in front of the proposed notice board site should also be put down to tarmac will be considered further and recommendations bought to Council.
BB35/07 Bench established by the Large family on the south side of St Mary’s. BB10/07. The Clerk has written to the family to ask if they would like to renovate it or make some other suggestions as to what should be done. Reply awaited.
BB36/07 Upkeep of Christ Church Churchyard (upper and lower areas). Mr Eric Skinner has given notice that he will retire at the end of March 2008. It was noted that the area under the Carwithen bench needs tidying up and the Clerk will ask Mr Skinner to do that.
The Clerk will contact Mr Watkins to establish his plans for the future. In the meantime the Clerk will ask other contractors for quotations.
BB37/07 Bathurst Enclosure by the west door at St Mary’s. The railings need attention and we await a quote from Mr Tony Clark (Jacqui’s husband). The Clerk will follow up.
A suggestion has been made that we put the Bathurst enclosure down to bark chippings. It was agreed that before taking any action, the Burial Board should consult St Mary’s PCC, and Mrs Judy Hodges who planted the azelea in the enclosure. The Clerk will contact the PCC regarding this proposal.
BB38/07 Massereene and Ferrard Enclosure at Christ Church. BB12/07. Noted that the problem of the overgrown enclosure has been resolved. Mr David Denton has reported that a contractor has been on-site and the enclosure is now tidy.
BB39/07 Weed Control. It was agreed that any decision on asking our contractor Weed Management Ltd for a further application will be left until after the 27 October Tidy-Up day.
BB40/07 Trees planted on Graves. Burial Board Regulation 14 refers. It was agreed that the Clerk will contact the owner of the grave at Row H, No 80 to ask that the evergreen tree planted there be removed.
BB41/07 Alignment of memorial tablets in the ‘top’ ashes plot. This is not satisfactory as it is at present, and the Chairman of the Burial Board and the Clerk will make some minor adjustments.
BB42/07 Ridgeway Enclosure. Noted that this is still in an unsightly state. Brambles etc will be cleared during the tidy-up day. It was agreed that the Chairman of the Burial Board will take advice and seek a quotation with regard to removing or grinding the stump.
BB43/07 The Thorpe Grave. The Clerk reported that he had noticed recently that the headstone established on Row K, No 86 should have been placed at Row K, No 85 where the ashes of the deceased are interred according to the records. Clerk will follow up with the family, the Funeral Director and with the Monumental Mason involved discreetly.
BB44/07 Row Markers. Some vital ones have gone missing. It was agreed that the Clerk will do an audit to see what needs replacing.
BB45/07 Blocked Drain by Ashes plots in St Mary’s Churchyard. The Church Wardens had reported that just outside the north-west corner of the Church there is a concrete catchment area with a drain that needs attention. The concrete is lethally slippery when wet and the drain is blocked. It was agreed that this will be investigated during the Tidy-Up day on 27 October, but that this is really a PCC issue rather than the Burial Board.
BB46/07 Excess weeds and other growth on the north-east corner of St Mary’s. Noted that this is for action on the tidy-up day.
BB47/06 Honey Fungus. Noted that we have honey fungus in the Cemetery. The Chairman of the Burial Board believes he can solve this; if not we will seek assistance from Steve Bryant.

ANNUAL BUDGET FOR 2008/09
BB48/07 Members agreed the submission for consideration by the Policy Committee.

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETINGS
BB49/07 Monday, 17 March 2008 at the Jessel Room at 7.30 pm.
Monday, 21 July 2008 at the Quarry Centre at 7.30 pm
Monday, 20 October 2008 at the Jessel Room at 7.30 pm

Clerk to the Parish Council
Anthony Farnfield MBE
clerk@goudhurst.co.uk