13 November 2023 Cemetery Committee
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Minutes of Cemetery Committee meeting held 19:00hrs, Monday, 13 November 2023 at the Pinchbeck Community Hub & Library.
Present: Cllr James Avery, Cllr Emma Beavis, Cllr Terry Moore (chair), Cllr Peter Ruysen, Cllr Ann Savage, Mr Robert Smith (clerk).
Absent: None.
1.There were no apologies, all members of the committee were present.
2.There were no declarations of disclosable interest nor requests for dispensation.
3.It was resolved to approve the minutes of the 16 October 2023, following a correction of the draft.
4.It was resolved on moving into closed session on the grounds of confidentiality in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s.1(2).
5.Contractual arrangements for the construction of the proposed Blue Gowt cemetery.
i.A checklist for completing a JCT Minor Work with Design Contract was required.
ii.The need for works to start before the expiry of the planning condition deadline was emphasized.
6.Funding arrangements.
i.Cllr Avery reported that SHDC had a protocol for lending to Parish Councils against future s.106 payments over a period of 5, 10, or 15 years, at an interest rate of 1% over base. With the current base rate at 5.25%, this was more expensive than borrowing from the PWLB (Public Works Loan Board). The current rate for a PWLB loan for £150k EIP (Equal Instalments of Principal) over 10 years was 5.2%.
ii.A PWLB loan over this period would cost the Parish Council £40,950 in interest payments. It was thought preferable to finance the whole project with existing Parish Council funds if possible. Subject to detailed budgeting, this was to be recommended as a proposal to the full Parish Council.
iii.The clerk reported that general reserves should be kept between 50-100% of expected annual expenditure.
7.Next Steps
i.A meeting between Cllr Moore and the clerk was to take place 10.30hrs next Monday 20 November 2023 to go through the JCT contract checklist requirements (Cllr Moore, clerk).
ii.It was resolved to recommend to full Council that all funding for the new cemetery be financed internally, subject to a detailed budget review (clerk/Finance Committee).
iii.The power of the Parish Council to have a bank overdraft facility was to be checked (clerk).
8.Next meeting: to be called by the chairman as required.
The chair closed the meeting at 20:25hrs.