Agenda item

Cemeteries Policy

Cemeteries are a statutory service provided by the Council acting as a Burial Authority. To ensure that the service continues to provide the highest possible standards, the Council commissioned a service review by the Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management (ICCM) in August 2018. In line with the recommendations from this review and to ensure that the Council is following industry best practice together with meeting its statutory obligations, the Council’s regulations and procedures for the management and maintenance of its cemeteries have been updated.

 

The Working Group are asked to recommend to Cabinet that;

 

a)    From 1 April 2020 Arun District Council does adopt the proposed Cemeteries Regulations and all procedures as outlined in this report.

b)    The new associated fees & charges as outlined in the report are approved for implementation from April 2020.

c)    The service enhancements & projects identified within the report are endorsed and where appropriate, delivery will be considered as part of the Council’s future annual budget setting

d)    Future changes and amendments to the regulations, procedures and fees & charges, can be made in consultation with the Cabinet Member with delegated responsibility for Cemeteries.

e)    Within 12 months following the Councils adoption of these regulations, the Cemeteries Service shall submit to the ICCM a request for Arun, as a burial authority, to become a member of the Charter for the Bereaved, which further enhances the Council’s reputation as a modern, compassionate, lawfully and legally compliant Cemeteries Service provider.

 

Minutes:

            The Environmental Services and Strategy Manager drew Members attention to section 1.4 of the report where he summarised that the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) was commissioned in 2018 to undertake a review of its services. In the main review it confirmed that the service was operating well with effective systems and compliance. It did highlight the following:

 

§  Staffing was lower than expected in respect of the size and responsibilities of the service

§  There was a need to update and review service regulations and procedures

 

As well as the above and to further inform the review of the regulations, procedures, fees and charges, the Parks and Cemeteries Manager had completed benchmarking against other local and neighbouring authorities.

 

The Parks and Cemeteries Manager then drew Members attention to the following:

 

§  Encouraging biodiversity within cemeteries with the introduction of wild flower areas

§  Grave allocation & ownership, regulations now define how and when out of rotation purchases of graves may be undertaken at additional cost

§  New regulations for Lawn sections

§  Scattering of ashes to be allowed at designated places at Council cemeteries

§  The proposal that specific areas are set aside and suitably landscaped to provide an appropriate location for deceased children

§  New regulations relating to memorials and memorial installation, requirements that monumental masons provide:

§  Membership of a trade body

§  Copies of testing certificates evidencing compliance for ground anchor systems

§  Copies and receipt of public liability insurance held

§  Copies of guarantee provided to memorial and/or grave owner

 

A full debate took place with Members raising the following points:

 

§  In relation to section 1.5.7 of the report a number of questions and concerns were raised, officers gave assurances that the ICCM had agreed that ADC’s proposed measures in relation to memorial safety were ‘entirely reasonable and went further than most’. It was agreed that a meeting would be arranged with Members who wanted to attend with Officers to discuss these concerns in more detail

§  Concerns in relation to why there had been an increase in fees were raised. It was explained that on completing the benchmarking exercise it was highlighted that the Councils fees were significantly lower that other local authorities and with the Council’s desire to make the improvements that had been detailed within the report it was felt that the increases were justified.

§  A question was asked in relation to the cost of the work needed at Bognor Regis Chapel. It was explained that this question would require an answer from the Properties & Estates Team. The Working Group agreed to accept a written response at a later date.

 

 

            The Working Group

           

            RECOMMEND to Cabinet – That

           

a)    From 1 April 2020 Arun District Council does adopt the proposed Cemeteries Regulations and all procedures as outlined in this report.

b)    The new associated fees & charges as outlined in the report are approved for implementation from April 2020.

c)    The service enhancements & projects identified within the report are endorsed and where appropriate, delivery will be considered as part of the Council’s future annual budget setting

d)    Future changes and amendments to the regulations, procedures and fees & charges, can be made in consultation with the Cabinet Member with delegated responsibility for Cemeteries.

e)    Within 12 months following the Councils adoption of these regulations, the Cemeteries Service shall submit to the ICCM a request for Arun, as a burial authority, to become a member of the Charter for the Bereaved, which further enhances the Council’s reputation as a modern, compassionate, lawfully and legally compliant Cemeteries Service provider.

 

Supporting documents: