Godalming Town Council
Minutes and report of
The Joint Burial Committee
held on 31st July 2008
- 0 - JR Thomson (Chairman)
- * - CA Wilson (Vice-Chairman)
- * - PMA Rivers .
- * - RA Gordon-Smith .
- * - SP Connolly .
- * - JE Wheatley .
- Key: *=Present. 0=Apology. L=Late. #=Absent - no apology received.
- BUSBRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL
- 1 MINUTES
- 2- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
- 3- DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS
- 4- ACCOUNTS PAID SINCE LAST MEETING
- 5- FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2008
- 6- INTERNAL AUDIT AND ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2008
- 7- NATURAL BURIALS
- 8- HERITAGE
- 9- BURIAL STATISTICS
- 10- DATE OF NEXT MEETING
- 11- ANNOUNCEMENTS
- 12- EASHING LODGE
BUSBRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL
0 Councillor Long (Busbridge Parish Council)
* Councillor Westwood (Busbridge Parish Council)
1 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 12 June 2008, having been previously circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a true record.
2- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received and approved.
3- DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS
Members declared no Personal or Prejudicial Interest in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting, which is required to be disclosed by Section 94(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 in accordance with paragraph 10 of the National Code Local Government Conduct.
4- ACCOUNTS PAID SINCE LAST MEETING
The Finance Officer reported payments totalling £38,008.64 since the last meeting.
Cash balances held at 30 June 2008:
Business Premium Account £46,157.83
Details were laid on the table for the information of Members.
5- FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2008
Members received and adopted the Final Accounts for Godalming Joint Burial Committee for the year ending 31 March 2008, (copy attached to record minutes). Members were asked to note that income had exceeded expenditure by £16,578. This amount was an increase over revised estimates of approximately £3,500.
The main reasons for this were that purchase burial rights increased over the estimate and brought in an additional £1,000 and an insurance refund of £960 for the lead flashing taken from the roof at Eashing Chapel. The remaining £1,500 was from small savings made over various budget heads.
The internal audit took place on 24 June 2008 with no adverse comments.
6- INTERNAL AUDIT AND ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2008
Members were asked to note that the internal audit for the financial year ending 31 March 2008 had been completed (copy attached to record minutes).
Members noted and approved the Annual Return - Statement of Accounts (copy attached to record minutes) together with the Annual Governance Statement, which would now be forwarded to the External Auditor, BDO Stoy Hayward, to enable the external audit to proceed.
Members wished to record their thanks to Janet Crossman, the Finance Officer for the work undertaken on both the Annual Accounts and Audit.
7- NATURAL BURIALS
The completed plans for the Natural Burials area were presented to Members at the meeting. Burleys, the grounds maintenance contractor at Eashing Cemetery, had been asked to price the planting and marking-out described in the plans. It was anticipated that not all of the work would be completed in the current financial year. The intention to begin selling plots from the area by the end of August to coincide with the launch of a publicity campaign was noted.
Members wished to record their thanks and appreciation for the design work undertaken by Joy Jardine.
8- HERITAGE
A letter from Ann Laver the Research Co-ordinator at Godalming Museum to Councillor Wilson (copy attached to record minutes) listing some interesting persons buried at the two cemeteries. It was also noted that both cemeteries had a number of war graves.
Members agreed to the production of a simple handout for the Godalming Heritage Weekend incorporating this and other historical information about the cemeteries and their buildings.
9- BURIAL STATISTICS
The Committee noted the burial statistics for the previous quarter and for the previous twelve months ended the 30 June 2008, which had previously been circulated (copy attached to record minutes).
10- DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Godalming Joint Burial Committee was scheduled to take place on Thursday, 16 October 2008 at 5.30 pm in the Council Chamber.
11- ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
THE COMMITTEE RESOLVED TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC AND PRESS FROM THE MEETING AT THIS POINT PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEM BY REASON OF THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED IE. A COMERCIALLY SENSITIVE MATTER.
12- EASHING LODGE
Confidential report attached to record minutes.