Minutes of a meeting of Market Deeping Town Council’s Town Hall and Cemetery
committee held on Wednesday 25th November at 7.30pm in the Town Hall, Market
Deeping.
Chairman Cllr Stephenson presided over Cllrs Howard, Lester, Pease,
Tokens, Mrs Redshaw, and Ms Tray.
1. Chairman’s Welcome
Cllr Stephenson welcomed all to the meeting.
2. Apologies for Absence and Declarations of Interest.
None received.
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd September 2009
It was resolved by majority vote (6 in favour) that the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd of
September 2009 were a true and correct record. Cllr Howard did not vote as he had not been
present at the September meeting. The minutes were signed accordingly.
4. Matters arising
• Confirmation that the cemetery gates were now open 7 days a week, 9am – 4pm, and
that Aidan Brent would be assisting the Council by ensuring these hours were
maintained from Friday evening to Sunday evening
• Solicitor’s advice had been taken over future correspondence with the owner of the
driveway that leads to the cemetery
5. Cemetery Access
Members read through a letter received from the owner of the driveway that leads to the
cemetery, Mr Armstrong. They unanimously agreed that the Council had never agreed to the
current ‘curved’ aspect of the bollards that had been installed on the driveway, nor had it
agreed to the installation of concrete bollards, and the Committee felt that their original
agreement had been ignored by Mr Armstrong. The Committee agreed to send a short letter
of response to Mr Armstrong to note his comments. The Clerk was asked to take legal advice
on future discussions regarding the current position of the bollards on the North aspect of the
driveway. Members agreed that the condition of the driveway was in a poor state of repair,
which was as a result of the last works carried out by the owner of the driveway. Members
agreed to new signs being displayed at the entrance to the Cemetery informing visitors that
they were welcome to park inside the Cemetery when the gates were open (9am – 4pm,
seven days a week), and also asked that this be advertised in a local advertising leaflet and
on the Town Council’s website.
6. Maintenance of graves in the Cemetery
Members read through correspondence received in relation to a grave in the Cemetery, which
the committee had previously asked to be returned to a lawned grave. A formulated response
to the family member was generated by the committee. Members agreed that the Cemetery
Rules must be adhered to, and whilst the Council would continue to consider individual cases
its priority would be to ensure that the Cemetery is maintained as a Lawned Cemetery.
7. Cemetery records – computerisation project
The Clerk informed members that she had viewed the Scribe cemetery records system, and
that the annual licence fee would be £145 per annum. She also confirmed that she would be
visiting St Ives Town Council mid-December to view the RBS system.
8. Consideration of quotations for new curtains for the Town Hall Chambers
Members discussed the quotations received and it was agreed that these only suggested
quotations. Members discussed what the exact requirements should be for the Town Hall
and felt that this needed further consideration before a final quotation could be obtained. It
was agreed by majority vote (3 in favour, 1 against, 3 abstentions) to defer the item to the
January agenda, where all members would be asked to present their ideas for the Chambers.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8pm. The next meeting was scheduled
for Wednesday the 27th of January 2010 at 8pm, to be held at the Market Deeping Town Hall.
