Issue - meetings

Review of Memorials in Cemeteries, Parks and Open Spaces Policy

Recommended:

(i)         That the sale of benches as an individual item available for purchase, which are then installed in our Parks and Open spaces, cease;

(ii)        That a new scheme be introduced where customers can lease a plaque on a bench for ten-year periods;

(iii)       That the updated Memorials in Cemeteries, Parks and Open Spaces Policy (attached as APPENDIX 1) be agreed and implemented no later than 1 April 2022;

(iv)       That the new scheme be introduced with effect from 1 April 2022 and will not be applied retrospectively.

Lease Agreement.

Recommended:

(i)               That the Director of Service Delivery seek legal clarification in relation to Clauses 16 and 19 of the lease;

(ii)              That subject to (i) above the Council agrees a new lease for 30 years for the organisation outlined in the report;

(iii)            That in consultation with the Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee, the Director of Service Delivery be given authority to agree the annual rent figure in line with a current market valuation with annual Retail Price Index (RPI) adjustment.

Please note that the following recommendations coming forward from this Committee are not for consideration at this point as they form part of Agenda Item 9 - 2022 / 23 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy, due to be considered at this meeting:

·                 Capital and Investment Strategies for 2022 / 23 and Minimum Reserve Statement 2022 / 23;

·                 Discretionary Fees and Charges;

·                 Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2022 / 23 – 2024 / 25;

·                 Revised 2021 / 22 Estimates, Original 2022 / 23 Budget Estimates and Council Tax 2022 / 23;

·                 Treasury Management 2022 / 23.

Councillor C Swain, Vice-Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee presented a number of recommendations coming forward from the last meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee.  He advised Members that a number of the recommendations were not for consideration at this point as they formed part of Agenda Item 9 – 2023 / 23 Budget and Medium-Term financial Strategy.

The Council considered the following recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Review of Memorials in Cemeteries, Parks and Open Spaces Policy

Councillor Swain moved the recommendations, these were duly seconded and agreed.

Councillor K M H Lagan asked that this dissent in respect of this item be recorded for the reasons as advised to the Strategy and Resources Committee.  This was noted.

RESOLVED

(i)               That the sale of benches as an individual item available for purchase, which are then installed in our Parks and Open spaces, cease;

(ii)              That a new scheme be introduced where customers can lease a plaque on a bench for ten-year periods;

(iii)            That the updated Memorials in Cemeteries, Parks and Open Spaces Policy (attached as Appendix 1 to the Minutes of the Strategy and Resources Committee) be agreed and implemented no later than 1 April 2022;

(iv)            That the new scheme be introduced with effect from 1 April 2022 and will not be applied retrospectively.

Lease Agreement

Councillor Swain moved the recommendations, these were duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)               That the Director of Service Delivery seek legal clarification in relation to Clauses 16 and 19 of the lease;

(ii)             That subject to (i) above the Council agrees a new lease for 30 years for the organisation outlined in the report;

(iii)            That in consultation with the Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee, the Director of Service Delivery be given authority to agree the annual rent figure in line with a current market valuation with annual Retail Price Index (RPI) adjustment.