PAPER C

Committee :    FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE

Date :              18 FEBRUARY 2002

Title :              THE PROVISION OF AND SAFETY IN COUNCIL CEMETERIES

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND INFORMATION

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To consider and make recommendations on proposals for future provision of burial land and the safety of persons using cemeteries.

BACKGROUND

Members considered a report on the “Infrastructure of Council Cemeteries” on 22nd November 2000 when a number of recommendations were made.

It was agreed that a further report would be brought before the committee in respect of land adjacent to East Cowes Cemetery and in relation to requests for financial assistance from Gatcombe and Freshwater Parochial Church Councils.

The Council, as burial authority is under a duty to provide burial land, however, there is no requirement to provide such land at specific locations. At present the authority provides space at twelve locations on the Island (see appendix 1). This means that there is sufficient burial space to last for a number of years, however, none of these spaces are to the West of Newport where the Churches have in the past provided burial space for residents wishing to be buried in their own area.

A request has been received from Gatcombe and Freshwater Parochial Church Council for financial assistance in extending their churchyards. There is no funding identified for the purpose and there is no legal obligation on the council in this respect. However, if these churchyards become full and are declared “closed” then the burial authority is required to maintain the churchyard with the associated costs involved and a reduction in choice for the public.

East Cowes Cemetery

There is an area of land owned by the council adjacent to the cemetery of approx 4000 sq metres (about 600 burial spaces). There is a covenant restricting use of the land for burial purposes only. Although it is a lengthy and uncertain process to have the covenant lifted it is possible. If the covenant were lifted members would have the option to sell some of the land, or extend the cemetery or both in any proportion. Members are invited to consider whether this additional land can be declared surplus to requirements and sold and to recommend that the council attempts to have the covenant lifted.

Safety of Headstones

When a person purchases the exclusive rights to a grave they have a right to place a memorial on the grave and assume responsibility for the maintenance and safety of that memorial.

The council however, as landowners, have a responsibility for the safety of persons using the cemetery and must therefore take precautions. After a number of years it is often difficult if not impossible to locate the owner of a memorial and the authority effectively becomes responsible.

There have been a number of Deaths caused by unstable memorials and the Health and Safety Executive have made public statements that this is an area where they will be active.

The service has made some spot checks with the assistance of Safety Matters and discovered that approx 10% of memorials are potentially unsafe, however, it would take considerable time to risk assess all 24,000 graves and take the necessary action. In order to get the assessments carried out in a reasonable time the service has made a successful bid under the risk management scheme for 60% of the cost of employing Zurich Insurance to carry out the task, and train the cemeteries inspector to continue the process at a cost of £24,995 the remaining 40% to be provided by the 2001/2 capital bid for cemetery improvements which has now been released. The implementation of the survey recommendations may of course require further significant but unavoidable expenditure.

Options for future burials

At the moment the authority provides traditional graves at twelve cemeteries, no provision is made for woodland burials or other environmentally friendly methods. A woodland cemetery, privately owned, exists at Apse Heath and there is suitable space available at Northwood Cemetery and at the Crematorium for a similar operation however, no funding is identified at present. Members are asked to consider whether the authority should expand its present burial options by providing woodland burials either alone or in partnerships with the private sector, providing council burial space in the West Wight or support the Churches in providing space.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

If new burial options are provided by the authority there would be a capital cost in setting up and on going maintenance charges.

Support for Church facilities would require £20,000 one off grant.

If East Cowes land is sold there would be a capital receipt to the authority.

OPTIONS

1.        To recommend to the executive that the land adjacent to East Cowes cemetery or part thereof is surplus to requirements and sold and ask the Executive whether additional funds might be made available for essential improvements.

2.        That the provision for burials be expanded reduced or maintained with a further report being produced with specific proposals and costings.

3.        To take a view on whether to recommend to the Executive that financial support be given to Gatcombe and Freshwater Parochial Church Council’s to provide new burial space in West Wight.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

IBCA Charter for the Bereaved

Report on Infrastructure of Council Cemeteries to Fire and Public Safety Select Committee 22 November 2000

Contact Point : Howard Moreton, Acting County Trading Standards Officer, ☎ 823388

                                                                             JOHN PULSFORD

                                                        Strategic Director of Finance and Information