East Bergholt Parish Council
Burial Grounds Committee
23 Oct 2025

1. Present:
Joan Miller (Chair), Nigel Roberts, Ricky Allen
In attendance: Simon Rothwell, Barry Peirson

2. There were no declarations of interest

3. Minutes;
NR proposed, RA seconded approval of the minutes, passed unanimously

4. Matters Arising:
The Chair of the committee was absent so there was not report on the closure actions
of the burial grounds system. This will be discussed at the next burial grounds
committee meeting.
It was noted that as Peter Dent had retired there was a vacancy on the committee.

5. Rabbit proof fencing:

SR provided an update of the rabbit-proof fencing report. He also circulated a map
(attached below) of the cemetery showing the key threats from rabbit ingress into the
cemetery. After looking at all the options it was decided the most effective method of
rabbit control would be a rabbit proof fence.
The discussion identified that the key and most urgent threat came from the field to the
west of the cemetery where there were signs of significant rabbit burrows and activity
and so it was decided that the immediate solution was to complete a rabbit proof fence
from point A to point C with additional wiring to the base of the cemetery gates. The
committee decided that the remaining fencing along the BT exchange land and White’s
Cottage could be addressed at a later date as it seemed probable that these were
secondary infections arising from rabbit transiting across from the cemetery. It was
clarified by Simon that the rabbit proof fencing supplied by the contractor would include
trenching both vertically into the ground and then horizontally outwards to prevent the
rabbits burrowing under the fence. SR will clarify with the preferred contractor the final
price of the fence A to C and wiring under the cemetery gate from Cemetery Lane.

Proposed NR, seconded RA: that a contract will be progressed to install rabbit proof
fencing along the boundary from A to C of the cemetery and wire along the bottom of
the gate from Cemetery Lane. The resolution was passed unanimously.

The committee recommended to the Chair of Burial Grounds Committee that:
An assessment should be made of the effectiveness of the fence A to C before
considering further the extra fencing to the east and south of the cemetery> they also
recommend that no further action should be taken on drop traps as it was felt that such
a feature would be too difficult to maintain as they would need to be checked twice a
day 7 days a week.

Moles have also appeared in the cemetery and have increased since the mole man
retired. SR will seek a replacement.
It is recommended that the Chair of Burial Grounds Committee assess the budgetary
costs of a moleman when considering the 26/27 budget precept.

6. Review of Cemetery Fees

The statistics demonstrated a steady level of burials over the past 4 years, with only 3
non-residents reserving plots and so saw no reason to increase fees at this point.
Proposed JM, seconded RA, that the Burial Grounds Committee review fees at every
new council (every 4 years). The resolution was approved unanimously.

7. There was no urgent communication

The meeting closed at 19.44.