The Richmond Burial Ground Trust meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 1 April 2025, was set to cover updates on site management and crypt repairs, as well as a review of the Trust's annual statement of accounts. The meeting's agenda also included a verbal update from Habitats and Heritage.

Update from Habitats and Heritage

A verbal update was scheduled to be provided by Stephen Fielding, representing Habitats and Heritage. This organisation holds a 125-year lease for a structure with the Diocese of Southwark and has previously supported the idea of filming at the burial ground. The previous minutes from the 15 October 2024 meeting noted that filming activities inside the chapel would likely fall under the jurisdiction of the Richmond Old Burial Ground Trust, while outside activities might require a memorandum of understanding (MoU) or agreement between the Trust and Habitats & Heritage. The report pack indicated that the chapel was intended to be included in the council's existing filming location catalogue.

Site Management

John Salisbury was scheduled to provide a verbal update on site management. This update was expected to include information on the potential role of TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) in managing the burial ground. Additionally, the discussion was anticipated to cover the possibility of utilising more corporate volunteer groups to manage the cemetery within a limited budget. The previous meeting's minutes mentioned that a new grounds maintenance contract would incorporate the burial ground.

Crypt Repair

John Salisbury was also scheduled to give a verbal update regarding the repair of the crypt. The previous meeting's minutes noted that the crypt had been successfully repaired by a specialist contractor booked by the council's Facilities Management team. However, a post-meeting inspection had indicated this was not the case, and John Salisbury was to investigate the matter further.

Annual Statement of Accounts

The meeting was scheduled to review the Richmond Burial Ground Trust's Annual Statement of Accounts for the 2023/2024 financial year, as presented by Stuart Black, Principal Finance Officer for Environment and Community Services. The report indicated that the Trust's expenditure for 2023/24 was £23,533, with income from interest received amounting to £5,997. A total of £17,536 was transferred to reserves. The balance as at 31 March 2024 stood at £125,942, a decrease from the previous year's balance of £143,478. Members were asked to approve these accounts.