Minutes:
LQ1 proposed by Councillor Mullane:
“Referring to the recent case highlighted by Jon Cruddas MP regarding the unmarked grave of Arthur Bradford, who fought in World War One and is buried in Eastbrook Cemetery, can the Leader confirm the Council will continue in its tradition of honouring our war heroes, and help the family to ensure a Gravestone can be placed on the grave, at no cost to the Council?”
Response from the Leader of the Council:
“As Members will know we have a proud tradition of supporting those who have served our country in the armed forces. The Council recognise and commemorate the sacrifice through our many war and civilian memorials placed across the borough and our remembrance tributes.
Arthur Bradford enlisted in 1915 and was sent to France and following a gas attack was discharged as unfit for military duty in 1916. He died aged 42 in 1931 and was buried in Eastbrookend Cemetery.
Arthur Bradford is buried in an un-purchased grave, otherwise known as a” common grave” which is also occupied by another fifteen unrelated people. Given this, despite the undoubted sacrifice made by Mr Bradford, I am not in a position to agree to the request being made to erect a gravestone on this grave.
There is no precedent for commemorating any individual in a common grave from the public purse, and no tradition of marking individual graves of residents who have fought for our country, but who did not die whilst on active service.
As Members will be only too well aware, in previous generations, very large numbers of local people served our country in two world wars and indeed have continued to do so both in later conflicts the 20th Century and in this century. It is not possible therefore for us as a Council to assist this family when we would not be in a position to assist all such families.
However, I am pleased to be able to tell Members that our cemetery management regulations do allow for a stone vase to be placed on a “common grave”. This would be a memorial vase of up to a 25cm square with a name, date of birth to date of passing, plus an inscription of the family’s choice. Such a memorial would cost £154 and our staff would be happy to assist with the arrangements if Councillor Mullane would like to put them in touch with the Divisional Director.”
LQ2 from Councillor Gill:
“Does the Leader of the Council believe that democratically elected Councillors should be able to ask questions and/or make representations on behalf of their constituents’ at all public Council meetings, which would be in line with the 'Seven Nolan Principles of Public Life'?”
Response from the Leader of the Council:
“Can I thank Cllr Gill for his question. The fact that he is asking a question at tonight’s Assembly is testament to this administration’s desire for openness and transparency. I would also refer him to the Council’s Constitution which sets out the correct procedures on asking questions and is there to help Members. The procedures in the Constitution have been refreshed at tonight’s meeting to include recommendations from the Public Accounts & Audit Select Committee of which Cllr Gill is a member - something I very much welcome.”
LQ3 from Councillor P Waker:
“Does the Leader of the Council believe that it is correct to cease the Green Waste collections earlier than originally agreed in this financial year, which generates a small saving in relation to the overspend, but has a major effect on the front-line staff involved, particularly around the Christmas period, while at the same time proposals are being made that will increase managerial costs at various levels across the Council that affect both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account?”
Response from the Leader of the Council:
“Members will all recall that on 17 September we agreed our Vision and Priorities for the borough. Since that time with Cabinet colleagues we have started to look at the organisational arrangements that will enable us to deliver that vision. We are clear that money is scarce and we need to be confident that the budget is being spent wisely. We are clear as a leadership team that we want to protect front line services, promote real growth in the borough and work differently with our community. But such an ambitious change programme does need effective and focussed managerial as well as political leadership if the benefits for residents are to be delivered. I therefore make no apology for the management changes we are making now. But I would also remind Assembly that the budget options we are currently consulting on also set out other areas in which we believe management costs can be reduced.
Again all Members will be aware of the need to manage services within our budget each year and also be aware that earlier this year it became apparent that we were forecasting a significant overspend as our spending on vulnerable children increased. Cabinet therefore took the decision on the 25 September to require all Chief Officers and budget mangers to authorise only essential expenditure relating to their service areas. Therefore across the Council many expenditure reduction initiatives have been put in place.
The Council had planned to operate a free green garden waste collection service for 10 months this year, with a closed season in January and February, when there is very limited green waste produced. Deciding to stop the collection of green garden waste at the end of November this year is just one many service changes being made to help bring the budget back in line this year. I appreciate that the decision is not an easy one for those seasonal staff who were given notice earlier than they had expected and would have preferred to have been in a position to continue to offer them work
I think it is of course important to remind Members that this is not the first time the service has been stopped early. For example in 2011 we ceased the service in October, mainly because of the early onset of a severe winter. This year officers advise that although we continue to experience a warm start to the winter, the volumes of waste now being collected are using only about a quarter of the capacity in place with the four vehicles we are running.
Given the difficult choices we need to make, I am sure Councillor Waker agrees with me that prioritising spending on children over green garden waste is the right thing to do.”
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The meeting closed at 9.55 pm.