Technical, Economic and Environmental Services Scrutiny Panel

Minutes of the Meeting 25th October 2004

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Commenced: 2.00pm
Terminated: 3.50pm

Present:

Councillors P Robinson (Chair) Bailey, Downs, Grundy, Meredith, Seabourne, Shepherd and S Smith
Mr Tony Moss (Citizen 2000 Panel), Mr S Howse (Lifelong Learning and Cultural Services Scrutiny Panel)

Apologies for absence:

Councillor S Quinn and Mr Bramhall (Citizen 2000 Panel)

Please note that Minutes are numbered consecutively throughout the municipal year

18. Chair's Opening Remark

The Chair welcomed delegations from East Riding and Gwynedd County Councils who were present at the meeting to observe proceedings.

He also welcomed Councillor C Piddington, Cabinet Deputy for Environmental Services and Mr Robin Monk, Head of Environmental Operations who were present to answer questions on the Panel's review of cemeteries and crematoria.

19. Minutes

The Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Panel held on 4th October 2004, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

20. Cemeteries And Crematorium

Members of the Panel raised issues which had arisen from the Panel's review of cemeteries and crematorium with the Cabinet Deputy, Environmental Services and Head of Environmental Operations, and included:-

Headstone Safety

The Panel received information that, in order to comply with health and safety directives, some existing headstones erected before 2002 had been "laid down". However, a panel member raised concern about the unsightly debris this left, once undertaken.

The Cabinet Deputy reported that this was a serious health and safety matter. The Council would be responsible for headstones/graves in the absence of a family/grave owner. The Service was currently looking to stabilise headstones in situ by the purchase of poles and strapping. Reference was made to recent publicity regarding this matter and also reported that every effort was to be made to contact grave owners regarding this matter. She informed the Panel that the issue of debris would be investigated.

Members enquired as to the possibility of obtaining headstones of a "cushion variety". It was reported however, that since 2002, stonemasons ensured the use of supporting pegs when erecting headstones, which were therefore more secure than those erected before 2002. Consideration would be given to health and safety issues such as trip hazards when considering the use of other varieties of headstones.

Personalisation of Graves

A member raised concern about the personalisation of graves, which caused obstruction when maintenance work was undertaken and could prove unsightly.

It was reported that plot owners were informed of what would be acceptable with regards this matter. With regards to enforcement, the council would deal with each case individually. However, one neighbouring authority did enforce this issue under cemetery regulations.

Remembrance provision

Members discussed their observations of remembrance provision at neighbouring local authorities. This included boundary walls, which served as memorial walls, and gardens of remembrance.

The Panel heard that it was intended to update the gardens of remembrance at Dukinfield Chapel in mid 2005. Specific walls of remembrance had been erected at both Droylsden and Hurst cemeteries.

The cost of remembrance plaques was reviewed annually and currently sold with a 10 year lease.

Accessibility

In response to concerns raised regarding access to Dukinfield Chapel, it was reported that the service had looked to alleviate congestion by improvement of vehicle movement. Improvements had been undertaken to the waiting room at the Chapel. It was hoped that in the future the service would be able to provide a wider range of memorial services.

Following concern about the condition of footways and provision of toilet facilities in cemeteries across the borough, the Panel was informed that a bid for capital monies was submitted each year for repairs to footways which would be undertaken on a prioritised rolling programme. The cost of repairing footways was estimated at £500,000. Any works undertaken by utility companies who required access was monitored by the Council.

It was reported that cleaning of toilet facilities and grounds maintenance was the responsibility of District Assemblies. The provision of toilet facilities had reduced over the years.

Plant Machinery

The Service awaited the outcome of procurement of new fleet vehicles, which included machinery capable of digging the required depth for graves.

The Panel was informed that in order to comply with pending regulations, it was possible that eventually additional plant would be required in the crematorium to reduce mercury emissions caused by dental fillings.

Health and Safety

Discussion ensued with regard to dust levels at the boroughs crematorium compared with levels at neighbouring crematoria. Tests had been undertaken and found that dust levels were not harmful. Operatives did have access to any safety equipment required such as protective clothing and masks. Health and safety was also a key issue in cemeteries and would be carefully monitored.

Assets

The Panel discussed the possible sale of assets such as the cemetery lodges to cover costs of required improvement work to the boroughs cemeteries and the crematorium. The Cabinet Deputy reported that it would not be guaranteed that monies received from the sale of assets would be used within the cemeteries and crematoria service, but a significant case would be put forward for a high proportion of capital receipts to be reinvested in the service.

Value for Money

Members requested further information regarding comparator of costs in relation to service provision in Tameside as compared with those of neighbouring local authorities. The Head of Environmental Operations reported that data was provided to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy for the purposes of comparison.

Muslim and Environmentally Friendly Funerals

The Panel was informed that 12 Muslim funerals had been undertaken in the borough during 2003/04. Information was provided on the level of provision for Muslim funerals in the borough compared with that of other neighbouring local authorities. They also received an extract from the Quran regarding the procedure for Muslim funerals. The Panel heard that most local authorities would not provide for weekend funerals.

The Service was currently investigating environmentally friendly funerals.

The Chair thanked those present for their attendance and it was:-

Resolved :

1. That the report be noted.
2. That the Panel be provided with further detailed information on comparative costs for service provision in Tameside with that of other neighbouring local authorities.
3. That the Panel be provided with information on environmentally friendly funerals.

21. Key Decisions On Forward Plan

The Head of Scrutiny reported that consideration of items included on the Council's Forward Plan required formal constitutional approval together with a protocol before implementation and it was:-

Resolved - That consideration of items included on the Council's Forward Plan be deferred to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Panel following constitutional approval.

22. Work Programme

Resolved - That the following item be added to the Panel's Work Programme 2004/05 "Section 106 Agreements and related issues"

23. Local Government (Access To Information) Act 1985 - Urgent Items

The Chair reported that there were no urgent items for consideration at this meeting.

Chair