Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its appendix and to make the following resolutions:

(1)  That £65,000 be allocated to carry out essential repairs to structures in the District’s closed churchyards and burial grounds. 

(2)  That an annual maintenance budget of £10,000 be allocated to maintain structures to an acceptable standard. 

RESOLVED

(1)  That £65,000 be allocated to carry out essential repairs to structures in Chichester District’s closed churchyards and burial grounds.

(2)  That an annual maintenance budget of £10,000 be allocated to maintain structures to an acceptable standard.

The Cabinet received and considered the agenda report and its appendix (copies attached to the official minutes).

The report was presented by Mr Barrow.

Mr Howard and Mr Riley were in attendance for this item.

Mr Barrow summarised the report with reference to sections 3, 5 and 7 with regard how CDC could and in nine cases had already become liable to maintain closed churchyards in its area (there was in fact the prospect of its having to assume responsibility for a tenth churchyard); the legal duty of care imposed on it as occupier; and the resource implications which needed to be put in place to maintain churchyards to the required standard.

Mr Howard did not wish to add to Mr Barrow’s introduction.

Mr Howard answered members’ questions on points of detail. He advised that parish councils were not obliged to hand over churchyards and graveyards in a particular state of repair although CDC encouraged them to endeavour to put them into at least a fair state. His department would work closely with Legal Services when a parish wished to divest itself of responsibility.  He indicated the locations in Chichester District of the current nine churchyards for which it had responsibility.  

Decision

At the end of the discussion members voted on a show of hands unanimously in favour of the recommendations in paras 2.1 and 2.2 of the report.

RESOLVED

(1)  That £65,000 be allocated from reserves to carry out essential repairs to structures in Chichester District’s closed churchyards and burial grounds.

(2)  That an annual maintenance budget of £10,000 be allocated to maintain structures to an acceptable standard.