Belfast City Council Client Services (Parks and Amenities) Sub-Committee Minutes 21 February 2005
From Nigov
C3400
Monday, 21st February, 2005
Contents |
SPECIAL MEETING OF CLIENT SERVICES (PARKS AND AMENITIES) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Walsh (Chairman); the High Sheriff (Councillor D. Browne); and Councillors W. Browne, Crooks, Hartley, McCann, Template:Bcc0405-O’Reilly, E. Smyth and H. Smyth.
In attendance:
- Mr. M. Elder, Director of Client Services;
- Mr. M. Parkinson, Head of Parks and Amenities;
- Ms. M. Tomlinson, Cemeteries Officer; and
- Mr. J. Heaney, Committee Administrator.
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor Rodgers.
Land at Drumbeg
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 8th February, it had agreed that Mr. R. Abbot, the owner of a portion of the proposed development lands at Drumbeg, be afforded the opportunity to address the Sub-Committee at a future date.
The Committee Administrator informed the Members that Mr. Abbot had been advised of the Sub-Committee’s decision and invited to attend the meeting. However, Mrs. Abbot had indicated by telephone that the family had decided not to attend the meeting.
The Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Cemeteries and Crematorium
(Mr. K. Anderson, Estates Officer, attended in connection with this item.)
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report which had been prepared by the Head of Parks and Amenities concerning Burial/Cremation facilities and other related matters.
Future Development of Burial/Cremation Facilities
Mr. Anderson provided, for the information of the Members, an update on the progress which had been achieved in respect of the acquisition of additional lands adjacent to Roselawn Cemetery. He indicated that an initial offer had been made for a twenty-eight acre site adjoining the Cemetery. However, this offer had been rejected. He indicated further that negotiations would continue and pointed out that the purchase of the lands would be subject to the necessary planning permission being obtained and to the satisfactory outcome of a geological survey of the land which would determine whether it was suitable for burial purposes.
The Head of Parks and Amenities informed the Sub-Committee that the Director of Client Services, the Head of Corporate Communications and he were developing currently a strategy whereby the public would be informed of the Council’s requirement to provide burial spaces and the need to acquire additional lands for this purpose.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee noted the foregoing comments and agreed that the acquisition of lands at Roselawn, Drumbeg and Hightown be progressed.
Acquisition of Lands
The Head of Parks and Amenities informed the Sub-Committee that the Parks and Amenities Section was investigating currently a means of acquiring the necessary development lands at Drumbeg and Hightown Road. He stated that an attempt would be made to acquire the land at Drumbeg on a voluntary basis and that the Section was investigating also the possibility of vesting the necessary land.
The Estates Officer pointed out, however, that the vesting process might prove difficult, particularly, if it were to be initiated in advance of planning permission being obtained. Also, it was anticipated that such action would meet with opposition from local residents and landowners, thus delaying the process.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed that the owners of the lands, which had been identified as the preferred location for the proposed new cemetery at Drumbeg, be invited to meet with officers of the Department as a matter of urgency, with a view to any difficulties with regard to the Council’s obtaining the necessary lands being resolved.
Promotion of Cremation
The Head of Parks and Amenities reported that, whilst limited promotional activities, including open days, had been undertaken at the Crematorium, he was of the view that such activities had resulted in a slight increase in the number of cremations.
A Member sought clarification as to whether the cremators could cope with an increase in cremations resulting from an increase in promotional activities. In response, the Head of Parks and Amenities stated that the existing facilities had the capacity to undertake additional cremations. However, he pointed out that the limiting factor was the time period required for the holding of services at the chapel located within Crematorium. He undertook to provide a report in respect of additional promotional activities and the use of the chapel at the Crematorium.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed that a report in relation to the future development of the cremation facilities be submitted to a future meeting.
Columbarium
The Head of Parks and Amenities pointed out that the Columbarium at Roselawn Cemetery had not been utilised as the public’s preferred option in respect of the burial of cremated remains was to inter them at memorial trees. However, the space for the planting of memorial trees was nearing exhaustion. He expressed the view that a lack of memorial trees would encourage the public to use the Columbarium and suggested that the Parks and Amenities Section should investigate the possibility of building a number of smaller Columbaria at the City and Dundonald Cemeteries. Several Members suggested that, as the Columbarium at Roselawn Cemetery had not been utilised, the construction of additional similar facilities was inappropriate.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed not to proceed at this time with the development of further Columbaria.
Toilet Facilities, and Vandalism and Anti-Social Behaviour
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to note the information which had been provided in the foregoing report.
Directional Signs
After discussion, during which a Member suggested that, prior to the erection of directional signs in the City Cemetery, consideration should be given to the naming of the main access routes through the Cemetery, the Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided in the foregoing report.
Upkeep of the City Cemetery
A Member suggested that, whilst there had been a significant improvement in the condition of the City Cemetery, it might be appropriate to consider the appointment of a person who would be responsible for the upkeep of the site and ensure that all matters regarding the condition of the Cemetery were addressed as quickly as possible. In response, the Director of Client Services indicated that, under a Compulsory Competitive Tendering regime, it had not been possible to have a dedicated manager on site at all times. He stated however, that the review of the Client/Contract split would incorporate an assessment of the staffing resources necessary for the efficient management of all the Department’s properties. The Head of Parks and Amenities informed the Sub-Committee that the proposed staffing structures for the new Parks Service Section, which would be presented to the Sub-Committee for consideration at its meeting on 6th April, would contain a recommendation that an individual be responsible for ensuring that that the City Cemetery was properly maintained.
After further discussion, the Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Storage and Recording of Cemetery Records
Several Members expressed the view that there was an urgent need to preserve the records of the Cemeteries Office, which were stored currently in the basement of the City Hall. They indicated that the current storage facilities were inadequate and the environmental conditions detrimental to the preservation of the valuable and historic records of the City’s Cemeteries.
A Member drew to the Sub-Committee’s attention the limited office space available within the City Hall Cemeteries Office and paid tribute to the professional and sympathetic manner in which the staff carried out their duties and dealt with bereaved families despite the inadequate space available.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed that the preservation of the Cemeteries’ records of the Parks and Amenities Section be undertaken as a matter of urgency and that suitable storage space to protect this valuable working archive be secured. The Sub-Committee agreed also that the Director of Client Services be authorised to investigate the possibility of additional space being made available for the Cemeteries Office in the City Hall and, in particular, the provision of an area which would afford greater privacy to persons who had suffered a bereavement.
City of Belfast Playing Fields – Dunore Pumping Main Replacement
The Committee Administrator reminded the Sub-Committee that, at its meeting on 18th November, it had undertaken a site visit to the City of Belfast Playing Fields and had met with representatives of the Department for Regional Development, Water Service, in relation to the Service’s proposals for the construction of a water main across the site. He reminded the Sub-Committee further that, at its meeting on 30th November, it had agreed that the Chief Executive of the Water Service be invited to attend a future meeting in relation to the proposed work, the disturbance of the site and the environmental implications arising therefrom.
The Sub-Committee was informed that correspondence, copies of which had previously been circulated, had been received from the Chief Executive, Water Service, indicating that Mr. T. Haslett, Director of Development, who was responsible for the water main project, would be available to attend a future meeting of the Sub Committee.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to receive Mr. Haslett at a future meeting.
Chairman
