Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces which updated Members on the performance of the Cemetery and Crematorium Performance 2016/17.

In response to Members’ questions, the Director of Open Spaces explained:

·         That the IT issues reported had improved over the past three months.

·         That the number of burials had increased slightly over the previous year.

·         That the Cemetery has an open approach with regards to funeral arrangements and it is open to all regardless of religion, the Superintendent and Registrar at the Cemetery endeavours to remain aware of different funerary offers in the market and strives to offer similar services within the cemetery.

·         That the team try to remain flexible in their approach, for example offering a range of burial times.

·         That the cemetery offers an open day on an annual basis.

·         In order to address future capacity, an area of land has recently been converted to provide burial space for the coming decades. The cemetery also offers re-use of sites older than 75 years which is an innovative way of working.

·         That a request would be made via the Gateway process to replace the cremator units

A Member explained that a Fund Manager had recently been speaking to a number of London Boroughs in relation to gathering information on their burial data and this may be of interests to officers.

The Chairman noted that there was considerable interest in the operation of the Cemetery and Crematorium and asked that a visit be organised in the autumn for Members of the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the report.