Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Thomas introduced the Cemetery Provision and Strategy report which highlighted the major challenge and risk facing the service of the availability of future burial space, particularly at Hope and Hawarden in the short term, and beyond that at Buckley.

Without action being taken to address those shortages, local residents would no longer be able to be buried in the local cemetery with other family members and loved ones.  Flintshire was the opposite of the national trend and had approximately 400 interments made up of 70% full body and 30% cremation.

Appended to the report was the estimated capacity for all of the Council cemeteries.

Suitable land had been identified adjacent to the cemeteries at Hope and Hawarden and a Capital Business Case had been submitted for the extension to Hope cemetery and negotiations were underway with the landowner.  The Capital Business Case for the extension to Hawarden cemetery was awaiting approval and negotiations were at an early stage with the landowner’s agents.

Councillor Thomas and the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) commented on the wide range of services undertaken by the Bereavement Team which showed commitment and dedication to communities.

RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the purchase of the identified land to extend Hope and Hawarden

Cemeteries be approved; and

(b)       That the investigations into future burial provisions at other Cemeteries in the County be approved, which should commence 4 years prior to the anticipated point when the existing capacity will be reached.