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Post Scrutiny - Executive Response
In Respect of : Review of the Policies and Provision of the Council's Cemeteries and Crematorium Service
Cabinet Deputy : Councillor Catherine Piddington
Date : January 2005
| Recommendations | Executive Response | Officer Responsible | Action by (Date) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. That an overarching policy be drafted for approval by the Cabinet Deputy, to bring together all aspects of the operation and provision of Tameside Cemeteries and Crematorium. | Agreed. Policy document to be published and agreed with Cabinet Deputy | Robin Monk and Mike Gurney | 1st October 2005 |
| 2. That in order to fund essential improvements and maintenance to the Council's Cemeteries and Crematorium, the sale of surplus assets be investigated and any funds raised be reinvested into the Service. | The sale of assets will be considered and where possible and subject to approval any proceeds used to improve cemetery provision. A plan of asset sales to be agreed |
Ditto | 1st August 2005 |
| 3. That a second door be created at Dukinfield Chapel in order to provide a separate access and egress. | Plans and quotation already obtained. Subject to funding the work to be carried out during 2005/06 | Mike Gurney | 31st March 2006 |
| 4. That consideration be given to the feasibility of transferring the responsibilities for grounds maintenance, security and toilet cleaning, currently undertaken by the District Assemblies, to Bereavement Services. It is however, recognised that there will be insufficient resources to fund the total cost of this work, so consideration should be given to the formulation of a budget specifically for this purpose. | Head of Environmental Operations to meet with General Manager District Assemblies. A report on the feasibility to be submitted to appropriate Cabinet Deputies for Key Decision if appropriate and subject to sufficient resources being transferred | Robin Monk | 1st October 2005 |
| 5. That Bereavement Services work with Patroller Service and the Police to improve security and the prevention of environmental nuisance, such as dog fouling, and consider the enhancement of security by the provision of a columbarium at Droylsden Cemetery. | The issue of security at all cemeteries will be considered and a plan of action agreed with all appropriate agencies. Where funding is available additional facilities will be provided. A log of all incidents will be kept by the Senior Registrar in order to target resources. Consideration given to the renewed enforcement of dogs being excluded from Cemeteries | Mike Gurney | 1st October 2005 |
| 6. That consideration be given for the future provision of separate areas for personalised graves and to plain grassed grave areas, in order to meet customer choice. | This issue will be considered in conjunction with Recommendation 7. | Robin Monk and Mike Gurney | 1st October 2005 |
| 7. That regulations relating to the appearance of Tameside's Cemeteries be enforced with clear explanations for any action taken. | This issue will be dealt with whilst giving consideration to the potential affect it will have on some grave owners. Publicity will proceed any action to enforce the regulations | Robin Monk and Mike Gurney | Summer 2005 (Publicity Campaign Autumn 2005 Enforcement) |
| 8. That a general review be undertaken of the toilets and other facilities (including facilities for disabled people) at all Tameside's Cemeteries. | A review of toilet provision to be made and a plan of action which will be subject to funding being available. | Mike Gurney | 1st October 2005 |
| 9. That consideration be given to the provision of an appropriate excavator which is capable of digging graves to a depth of 9 feet. | Consultation with Fleet Management has already taken place and through the council's new transport arrangements an appropriate excavator will be acquired. | Mike Gurney and Colin Hulme | 1st June 2005 |
| 10. That a rolling programme of repairs to Cemetery footpaths be implemented, subject to appropriate funding being available. | Funding has been agreed for 2006/07 as part of the Council's Capital Programme. Further discussions will take place to identify additional funding. A priority list to be agreed with Cabinet Deputy | Robin Monk and Mike Gurney | 1st June 2005 |
| 11. That consideration be given to the future provision of horizontal cushion headstones rather than vertical headstones. | Consideration will be given to this as part of a full review of memorial provision | Robin Monk and Mike Gurney | 1st October 2005 |
| 12. Although it is recognised that in certain cases unstable headstones have to be made safe, care should be given to ensure that headstones are laid down with the inscription facing upwards, that headstones are not broken and that the graves are left neat and tidy | The methods of dealing with unstable headstones has been revised and a metal stabiliser is now being used to avoid the stone being laid flat. This will allow owners to make the necessary repairs within a 4 month period. If headstones have to be laid flat recommendations made by Scrutiny will be followed. | Mike Gurney | 1st April 2005 |
| 13. That the feasibility be explored of laying down headstones, so that they are flush with the ground level, lying on top of the grave and causing no obstruction. | This will be explored albeit that comments above should provide some improvement. Where owners cannot be found headstones will be inset wherever possible | Mike Gurney and Colin Hulme | 1st April 2005 |
| 14. That relatives continue to be informed of the reasons why headstones have been laid down and advised about reinstatement. | This is being carried out currently | Mike Gurney | Immediate |
| 15. That parking bays for disabled people be designated at the Council's Cemeteries either in car parks or on the highway, where they will not cause an obstruction. | An assessment of this requirement will be carried out as part of our DDA assessment work. Where possible this will be carried out albeit that this work may be confined to car parks within the control of the service. | Mike Gurney | 1st October 2005 |
| 16. That Traffic Engineers be asked to give consideration to enhanced signage and making the entrances and exits from Dukinfield Cemetery easier to negotiate for funeral traffic | Traffic Engineers will be consulted on all aspects of access and egress from all cemeteries and not just Dukinfield. We recognise the increased traffic flow at Dukinfield and priority this will take | Robin Monk and Mike Gurney | 1st July 2005 |
| 17. That consideration be given to extending the areas for woodland burial to other parts of Tameside. | This work is already underway at one cemetery and the service will consider its further expansion | Mike Gurney | Immediate and ongoing |
Page last updated: 12 November 2010
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