Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lesley Clarke, Marten Clarke and Sebert Graham.

Councillor S Raja declared an interest in Item 5 (Annual Fees and Charges Review) as a member of the self-help Bereavement Society. 

Councillor R Raja declared an interest in Item 5 (Annual Fees and Charges Review) as the Secretary of the self-help Bereavement Society which occasionally used the cemetery. 

Both Members remained in the meeting during discussion.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 October 2017.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on the 3 October 2017 be agreed as a correct record.

Would Members of the High Wycombe Town Committee be interested in attending a future ‘Be a Ranger for a Day’ half day event (10am – 1pm)? 

If Members would like to attend, what day/s of the week work best?

It was noted that, following the update given by Chiltern Ranges to the Committee at their meeting in June, Members of the Committee had been invited by the Rangers to attend a ‘Be A Ranger For A Day’ session. This had been set up initially for a morning in early October, but had to be postponed due to only two Members confirming their availability.

The Chairman asked Members whether they would be interested in attending a future ‘Be a Ranger for a Day’ session with the Chiltern Rangers.  It was noted that the proposed activity would take place on a week day and would last for half a day.  Five Members confirmed their interest in the activity.

The Chairman explained that he did not believe five people would make organising the half-day session with the Chiltern Rangers viable.  It was suggested by Members that those interested could attend one of the regular volunteering sessions organised by the Rangers instead. 

It was agreed that the clerk would circulate the details of the regular volunteering sessions once they had been obtained from Chiltern Rangers.

The Committee welcomed Andy Sherwood, Contract Manager, to the meeting who explained that the report outlined the 2017/18 charges and the proposed charges for 2018/19.  It was noted that the Cemetery fees had remained at the same level as 2015/16.  Members were informed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September 2017 was 3% which had been used as the proposed inflation rate in the current proposals.

The Contract Manager referred Members to page 8 of the agenda – section 10 and explained that the cost was made up of the original purchase cost of the frames £756 pay back into reserves for the chamber installation and the Interment Fee.  It was noted that 3% had been incorrectly applied to both to become £1102 and that the increase should only apply to the interment fee, the cost of the frame remained the same so should read £323 + £756 = £1079.  Members were informed that the table in section 10 ‘Interment – Concrete’ should show the figures £1070 and £1079.

It was suggested that the overall costs of a burial be shown in one box to give readers the full picture (e.g. three lines in one box).  The Contract Manager agreed to look into the suggested format for future reports.

Councillor Hill, seconded by Councillor M Hussain, proposed that the Saturday one-off burial fee should remain at £263.57, but that the proposed increases be implemented for the other areas. 

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That approval be given for the proposed charges as detailed in paragraphs 6 -11 to take effect from 1 April 2018 subject to the Saturday one-off burial fee remaining at £263.57. 

The following Information Sheets have been issued since the previous meeting:

06/2017          Q2 Monitoring Report

** Members are reminded to give 24 hours notice of any questions concerning an Information Sheet to ensure an answer can be given at the meeting. **

RESOLVED:  That Information Sheet 06/2017 Q2 Monitoring Report be noted.

The Committee’s draft work programme looking ahead to June 2018 was presented for review.

Members requested the following items be added to the draft work programme:

·         That the ‘Update from HWBIDCo’ item be deferred from January 2018 to March 2018.

·         That an update on the Desborough Road Redevelopment comes before the Committee (preferably in January 2018).

·         That a presentation on the Easton Street / Queen Victoria Road proposed road changes comes before the Committee (March 2018).

RESOLVED:  That the forward work programme be noted and updated as above.

If circulated in accordance with the five clear days’ notice provision.

None submitted.

Any urgent items of business as agreed by the Chairman.

None submitted.