Recreation & Cemetery Committee

Aim

To nurture pride in the City of Ely by promoting and developing the recreation and play areas owned by the City of Ely Council and developing Ely cemetery in co-operation with the citizens of Ely, local businesses and other organisations.

Responsibilities

Play areas in: Stuntney,  Hallfield Terrace; Prickwillow, Main Street; Ely, High Barnes, St John’s Road, Willow Walk, Paradise Play Area, The Park and Columbine Road.

Important update concerning Coronavirus outbreak – 23rd March 2020.

The City of Ely Council has today taken the decision to close the children’s play parks which are under its control (please note that a number of them are controlled by ECDC and are currently remaining open). This is not a decision which has been taken lightly but there are concerns that Social Distancing cannot be maintained and that the potential for the virus to live on the play equipment for a substantial time cannot be mitigated.

Please do not climb over fences or gates, but respect the unfortunate need to close these facilities.

Ely Cemetery and Chapels.

Powers

On behalf of the City of Ely Council, the Committee has powers that it exercises through considering and recommending ways to manage and improve its assets through co-operative working in the following areas:

• The acquisition and maintenance of land for public recreation; the provision of a range of recreational facilities.
• The provision, maintenance and acquisition of cemeteries; and contributing towards the expenses of cemeteries.

Structure of the Committee

The Recreation and Cemetery Committee comprises four council members, plus the Mayor and Deputy Mayor as ex-officio members. The Committee’s members all sit on the Planning Committee.

The committee will discharge its responsibilities by:

• Meeting four times a year and reporting to Full council.
• Regularly inspecting, renovating and replacing existing equipment where needed on its play areas.
• Planning and budgeting for new play areas and equipment on existing and planned housing and business developments where there are deficiencies.
• Overseeing the regular maintenance of the cemetery.
• Overseeing the management of requests for burials, associated monuments, and use of the chapel.
• Inspecting and maintaining trees on the cemetery and play areas on a regular basis.
• Planning and budgeting for additions burial spaces and the development of the chapels to meet additional demands arising from planned housing and business developments.

It will use its powers in facilitating the development of play areas and the promotion of the use of the cemetery and chapels by:

• Regular consultation with the local community
• Participation in Community Panels, the City Forum, and representation at other relevant meetings and groups.
• Regular liaison with East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC), Cambridgeshire County Council, the ECDC Access Group.
• Scrutiny and timely response to all relevant policy reviews and consultations.
• Participation on planning committees.
• Participating in the development of plans for infra-structure changes that will result from future housing and business development within Ely and that will be funded by the Parish share of the Community Infrastructure Levy.