Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Councillor Lynne Allen. Councillor Jazz Dhillon attended in her place.

There were no declarations of interests notified.

It was confirmed that all items on the agenda marked as Part 1 would be considered in public.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2012 were agreed as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman; subject to it being amended to note that Councillor David Payne had tendered his apologies.

The Chairman invited John Purcell and Mike Price to present the scoping report on ‘A Review of the Regulations and Byelaws relating to Cemeteries and Burial Grounds within Hillingdon’.

John Purcell advised that the review was timely, as this area had not been reviewed for some time. The current rules allowed for families to pre-purchase graves in block and families could purchase up to 5 plots at a time. Revision of this policy, with a view to limiting the number of plots that could be purchased in block would be encouraged. This could now be limited to 2 plots, as each plot could have up to 3 internments in each plot. The Committee was informed that this rule had been in place prior to1994 when at that time, the aim was to encourage the generation of income.

It was highlighted that in the last three years, there had been an increase of plots being purchased by people living outside of Hillingdon at very little extra cost than that to a resident of the Borough. The Committee heard that other local authorities levied a much higher charge for the purchase of plots by people living outside their boroughs.

Mr Purcell advised that Hillingdon currently had a burial capacity for approximately 15 to 20 years. The Council owned 7 cemeteries within the borough, 3 of which were full to capacity and only available for reopening of existing graves, subject to the availability of space. The remaining 4 cemeteries, namely, Northwood, Cherry Lane, West Drayton and Harmondsworth had available grave spaces. It was noted that there remained a large capacity in Cherry Lane cemetery with various dedicated religious areas, which generated income and he indicated that non-Hillingdon residents should be required to pay a higher fee for burial grounds.

It was highlighted that the issue of the way people grieved needed to be considered, as this area had changed considerably since the cemetery rules and byelaws were last updated. Clear rules and regulations were required to be better disseminated and made more easily available in order to raise awareness to families.

Mr Purcell explained that officers did not deal directly with bereaved families, as funeral services performed this function. Funeral directors were also expected to alert bereaved families of the rules and regulations. A suggested way forward for addressing this area was to provide a simple leaflet that could be sent to bereaved families, so that they could be clear as to what was accepted and not accepted at the cemeteries. In addition, a signature should be required from the head of the bereaved family to confirm their understanding and acceptance of the rules. It should also be stated clearly in the leaflet, what actions would be taken if the rules and regulations were breached.

The meeting heard that the issue of health and safety was a further area for concern in cemeteries, particularly with regard to memorial stability testing of headstones. A survey was instigated approximately 6 years ago but was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

The Chairman invited Andy Evans, Head of Finance for Planning, Environment, Education & Community Services to present the Budget Planning Report for Planning, Environment & Community Services. It was explained that this report gave a brief introduction into the early stages of the budget planning cycle for 2013/14 and that the second report in January 2013 would provide more details in the corporate context.

Mr Evans stated that the report set out the major issues that had been identified through the service and financial planning process. It was noted that the 2010 spending assumptions had not come into fruition and it was highly likely that the period of austerity would continue for a significant period. Coupled with the consequences of new legislations, such as the change in the way Government financed local government funding through the business rates retention scheme, added to the uncertainty within the budget for next year.

It was noted however, that the Council had a good track record of being in or under budget and had accumulated balances of £23.3m by the end of 2011/2012. This had been established through the HIP programme which had steered the Council into having a healthy balance and the BID programme, which is the main vehicle for delivering the changes in the Council structure and ways of working.

Members were directed to note the key date in the timetable as October 2012, the Joint CMT and Cabinet Away day where the budget would be finalised with the draft MTFF being reported to Cabinet in December 2012.

Resolved: That the Committee noted the Budget Planning Report for Planning, Environment & Community Services

Resolved

The Committee agreed the Work Programme for 2012/13.

Resolved

The Committee agreed the Forward Plan.