The Head of Environment and Leisure introduced the report which set-out the issues relating from a collapse of the churchyard wall at St Peter and Paul church in Lynsted and included proposed solutions to repairs.  He explained that Lynsted churchyard was one of the closed churchyards maintained by the Council and it had collapsed in January 2021.   The Head of Environment and Leisure explained that the wall abutted the highway and the Council had worked closely with Kent County Council (KCC) to get the matter resolved.  A temporary fix had been carried out and he explained that £16,000 had been spent on the wall so far.  Inspections had been carried out on the wall and during this time it was noticed that other areas needed attention.  A structural engineer had been employed by the Council.  The matter was complicated as the wall abutted the highway.  The Head of Environment and Leisure advised that there were two options in the report and KCC had approved Option 1.  However, it was considered by stonemasons working on the wall that a more traditional build would be the preferred option.  He explained that since the report was written, officers had liaised further with KCC and they had stated that they were against the traditional option.  The Head of Environment and Leisure explained that delegation would allow further negotiation with KCC.

The Chair passed on comments from a Ward Member who was in support of the recommendations to repair the churchyard wall and had sent his apologies as he was unable to attend the meeting.

Members raised comments and asked questions which included:

·         KCC’s position was unacceptable;

·         did not like the concrete wall option;

·         this was an historic wall made of flint and should be restored using traditional methods;

·         this could set a precedent with any wall which abutted a highway;

·         the concrete option would destroy the nature of our villages;

·         Historic England (HE) should be approached for comments;

·         did not favour delegation to officers on the KCC option, this needed to be challenged;

·         concerned with the water damage on the wall and which option would be best to mitigate this;

·         what were KCC’s issues with Option 2?; and

·         how many closed churchyards were there in the Borough?

In response, the Head of Environment and Leisure explained that the concrete wall option would be faced with flint to fit in with the existing wall.  The more traditional wall allowed permeability of water.

Councillor Hannah Perkin moved the following motion:  That a letter be written to the Council’s two MPs requesting that Government repealed the Burial Act 1853 as the continued upkeep of closed churchyards by the local authority was not sustainable. This was seconded by Councillor Cameron Beart and on being put to the vote, was agreed.  The Head of Environment and Leisure confirmed that he would draft a letter in the Chair’s name.  He responded to some of the issues raised and explained that there were technical build requirements for a wall when it was next to a road.  The Leisure Services Manager confirmed that there were 17 closed churchyards in the Borough and that KCC’s view was that they needed to make the wall structurally safe.

Further comments included:

·         Concrete with flint might look good at first, but might not last long;

·         the traditional method was preferred;

·         lime was more flexible than concrete and could cope better with water;

·         the wall should be repaired back to its original state;

·         concrete + flint could be a good option, subject to good workmanship;

·         the repairs needed to be carried out quickly and properly;

·         it could be beneficial to look at other concrete walls for comparison;

·         a good quality repair would last a long time; and

·         concerned with the cost implications of maintenance of this type of wall.

There was some discussion on the four recommendations in the report.

Councillor Mike Baldock moved the following amendment:  That recommendation (1) be amended to delete reference to Option 1. This was seconded by Councillor Alastair Gould and on being put to the vote, was agreed. 

Resolved:

(1)      That the repair of the collapsed section of wall and the commencement of tender proceedings for option 2 be agreed and that delegated authority be given to the Head of Environment to proceed.

(2)      That the additional works to repair the braced section, bulging section and general repairs be undertaken.

(3)      That £120,000 be added to the capital programme funded from capital receipts.

(4)      That delegated authority be given to the Head of Environment and Leisure in consultation with the Director of Resources to award the contract if above £100k but within the budget allocation.

(5)      That a letter be written to the Council’s two MPs requesting that Government repealed the Burial Act 1853 as the continued upkeep of closed churchyards by the local authority was not sustainable.