Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Corporate Services presented the Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Cemeteries Private Bill report as the local Ward Member. He said that the report set out the case for a promotion of a Private Bill to enable the reuse of burial space in two cemeteries, either side of Cemetery Road, in Bishop’s Stortford. He explained that the promotion of the Bill would be on behalf of the Bishop’s Stortford Town Council at their request as opposed to an initiative of this Council.

Councillor Cutting said that the reasons why the Town Council have asked this Council to promote the Bill on its behalf is set out in detail in the ‘Background’ section of the report but in summary: there is only sufficient burial space to last until approximately 2036, the only practical way to resolve this is to  seek additional powers through a private Bill and there was no other suitable alternative land available to use for burials.

Councillor Cutting said that a public consultation was carried out by this Council, in addition to a previous consultation by the Town Council. There were seven responses to the consultation (six against and one in favour) and they have been summarised in paragraph 6.3 as well as the Council’s assessment of the responses, contained in paragraph 6.4. He added that there were no financial implications to this Council as all costs are being met by the Town Council.

Councillor Cutting proposed that the recommendations in the report be supported. Councillor Snowdon seconded the proposal.

Councillor Wyllie said he supported the report as the Leader of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council but questioned why the consultation was reported in the Herts Mercury and not in a Bishop’s Stortford newspaper.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that it was advertised in two Bishop’s Stortford newspapers.

The motion to support the recommendations having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – That (A) the Council authorises the promotion and deposit of the private Bill on behalf of the Bishop’s Stortford Town Council to authorise the reuse of certain graves with two cemeteries in its area subject to appropriate protections substantially in accordance with the attached draft Bill;

(B)       The Council authorises the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Services, to address procedural matters which may arise in relation to the promotion of the Bill and to enter into undertakings or commitments in relation to it; and

(C)       The Council authorises the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to agree to the making of any necessary amendments to the Bill that may arise during the course of the promotion of the Bill.