Bench Adoption and Sponsorship Terms and Conditions  

Hamble Parish Council supports the principle of memorial bench installations within the open spaces it owns and controls but is mindful that these are shared spaces and therefore it is appropriate to manage and regulate such installations.

All applications for memorial benches must be completed on the official application form. All requests will be considered and where possible a positive response will be given if a suitable site is available. As sites are limited, priority will be given to requests where the individual(s) can demonstrate a strong connection to the local area.

Adoption of Benches

Adoption of a bench means:

• There will be one bench with one plaque for an individual.
• There is a choice of which bench is sponsored.
• The bench remains the property of the Parish Council, for the lifetime of the bench (see below).

Other important information

Our current bench cost is between £700 and £1400 dependant on style and location. There will also be cost for the installation of a bench. If a bench is currently in situ, the cost will be whatever the cost of the bench was when purchased, however age of the bench will be factored in. Decision for style and location will be with the Parish Council.

A request for a particular location for a memorial bench may be made but the final decision will rest with the Clerk or assets management committee according to the perceived impact that siting a bench on a particular location might have. At this moment, Hamble Parish Council have a list of locations that benches can be placed. Our priority benches are currently at the foreshore. This may be amended in the future.

The plaques will all be a standard size (15cm x 5cm), brass with 4 screws to attach to the seat, the cost includes 3 lines of engraving. The plaques must be purchased via HPC at the time of sponsorship. No private plaques will be accepted.

The engraving will reflect the wording provided by you in the above form. HPC will not be responsible for any errors made.

The Parish Council will be responsible for general maintenance of benches to ensure they meet health and safety requirements and will review the condition of benches on at least an annual basis. Benches are expected to have a serviceable life of 10-20 years. If the bench is still serviceable after this period, then it will be retained with the memorial plaque in situ until such time as it does reach the end of its serviceable period.

On reaching the end of its *serviceable life, a bench will unfortunately have to be removed - even if less than 10 years. If the original requestor can be contacted, then the memorial plaque will be returned to them, and they will be informed that the bench is to be removed due to its condition.

The requestor may make a request for a new replacement bench to be purchased and installed at their cost. The council cannot guarantee the long-term safety or security of the bench and is not responsible for the replacement of benches resulting from damage or deterioration with age. In the unlikely event the seat is stolen, the Council shall not be responsible for providing a replacement.

Flowers and memorabilia cannot be attached or left in the vicinity of the bench seat. Any attached or left will be removed by the estates team.

*The Parish Council's decision will be final.

The Parish Council reserves the right to relocate any benches where there is a need to do so. This may be temporary to allow works to be carried out or may be permanent where a particular issue with the siting of a bench becomes apparent over time.

Shared Sponsorship of Benches

Shared sponsorship of a bench means:

• There will be up to 4 sponsors for 1 bench seat.
• There will be no choice as to which bench seat is sponsored.
• The bench remains the property of the Parish Council (you do not own the seat).
• The bench is sponsored for 10 years after which time you will need to renew the sponsorship, or it will be passed to the next person on the list.

Other important information:

The plaques will all be a standard size (15cm x 5cm), brass with 4 screws to attach to the seat, the cost includes 3 lines of engraving.

The plaques must be purchased via HPC at the time of sponsorship.

No private plaques will be accepted.

The engraving will reflect the wording provided by you in the above form.  HPC will not be responsible for any errors made.

It will be your responsibility to contact the HPC to renew your bench plaque.

When your sponsorship expires the plaque will be removed and retained by the HPC for 6 months waiting for you to collect.

You will not be expected to pay for any maintenance or repairs of the seat.

Flowers and memorabilia cannot be attached or left in the vicinity of the bench seat. Any attached or left will be removed by the estates team.