Issue - meetings

To seek approval for a modification to the BCP Council’s Cemetery Rules and Regulations approved by Cabinet in June 2022 following notification by a religious faith group of a typing omission relating specifically to Regulation 3, Section 3.12 against the subsequently printed and published version dated 1 September 2022.

Whilst requesting consideration for approval for this modification Officers have taken the opportunity to further enhance the Rules and Regulations providing additional information on exhumation practices subject to law provision and further minor changes to align with corporate financial regulations and corporate/national changes in circumstances. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet reviewed and approved the following updated sections of the Cemetery Rules and Regulations:-

(a)          Regulation 3, Section 3.9 – changes to payment terms from 30 days to 7 days from date of invoice;

(b)          Regulation 3, Section 3.9 – notification that cash or cheque payments will not be accepted;

(c)          Regulation 3, Section 3.14 – Reclaimed graves, where available, are offered for purchase in our Cemeteries and are subject to the conditions of Regulation 3.13;

(d)          Reglation 7, Section 7.8 – Control of Dogs, previous reference to an Open Spaces Protection Order, removed;

(e)          Final paragraph, reference to Her Majesty’s Secretary of State changes to His Majesty’s Secretary of State; and

(f)          New addition of Regulation 5 relating to exhumation.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Connected Communities

Reason

To provide correct and updated guidance to users of our cemeteries that align with legislative requirements and corporate financial regulations.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was requested to approve a modification to the BCP Council’s Cemetery Rules and Regulations approved by Cabinet in June 2022 following notification by a religious faith group of a typing omission relating specifically to Regulation 3, Section 3.12 against the subsequently printed and published version dated 1 September 2022.

Cabinet was advised that whilst requesting consideration for approval for this modification Officers had taken the opportunity to further enhance the Rules and Regulations providing additional information on exhumation practices subject to law provision and further minor changes to align with corporate financial regulations and corporate/national changes in circumstances.

In presenting the report the Deputy Leader proposed that recommendation (c) as below: -

(c)  Regulation 3, Section 3.12 – Single or bulk purchase of graves by funeral directors/arrangers or religious or non-religious faith group representatives to their group members or families they represent will not be permitted.

be deferred to enable consultation to take place with the faith groups to establish the impact this will have for them.

Members addressed the Cabinet requesting the following areas be looked at in respect of cemeteries: -

·      Positive feedback with regards to the branding but could the reasons for the requirement for keeping dogs on leads be explained within the signage to help educate people.

·      Ensure there are sufficient dog waste bins.

Cabinet raised the following areas for further consideration: -

·      Hours of burial, could consideration be given to enable more families to be able to hold a burial on a Saturday.

·      Children under the age of 12 not being allowed unless supervised by a responsible adult (could this be dependent on circumstances)

·      Clarification of the charges relating to infants and children

• Greater explanations regarding the reasoning behind the prohibition of plastic tokens being left

The Deputy Leader thanked Members for their comments and advised that these would be reviewed, and that with the deferral of recommendation (c) as set out above to come back to a future meeting that any further changes could be included within that report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet reviewed and approved the following updated sections of the Cemetery Rules and Regulations:-

(a)          Regulation 3, Section 3.9 – changes to payment terms from 30 days to 7 days from date of invoice;

(b)          Regulation 3, Section 3.9 – notification that cash or cheque payments will not be accepted;

(c)          Regulation 3, Section 3.14 – Reclaimed graves, where available, are offered for purchase in our Cemeteries and are subject to the conditions of Regulation 3.13;

(d)          Reglation 7, Section 7.8 – Control of Dogs, previous reference to an Open Spaces Protection Order, removed;

(e)          Final paragraph, reference to Her Majesty’s Secretary of State changes to His Majesty’s Secretary of State; and

(f)          New addition of Regulation 5 relating to exhumation.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 134