Issue - meetings

This report is introduce a new policy to allow for the extension of the Exclusive Right of Burial for a further 50 years, once the original 100-year Exclusive Right of Burial has lapsed.

Recommendation

That a 50-year extension to the ERoB is approved and that a Deed would be issued accordingly.

That the fee for the 50-year extension is set annually through the fees and charges budget setting process, at 50% of the full ERoB resident fee, at the time it is required.

The Committee considered a report of the Environmental Strategy Manager, regarding the introduction of a new policy to allow for the extension of the Exclusive Right of Burial (ERoB) for a further 50 years, once the original 100-year ERoB had lapsed.

Emma Sheridan, Associate Director for Customer and Community, presented the report.

In the subsequent discussion, the following points were raised.

a)    As the proposed lease term was for 50 years i.e. half the time of the original 100-year lease, it was proposed that it would be appropriate to charge half the fee charged for the original lease.

Extending the EroB would provide a potential cost saving to the Council in that, when a lease lapsed, it became the Council’s responsibility to look after untended graves.

b)    Regarding the possible termination of a lease before the expiry of the 50-year extension, it was noted that the Council had a duty of care to ensure that memorials on designated plots were being maintained, failing which the lease would revert to the Council.

As there were no more questions, the Chair, seconded by Councillor Martin, proposed that the Committee approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED: That –

1.    A 50-year extension to the ERoB be approved;

2.    That a deed be issued, accordingly; and

3.    That the fee for the 50-year extension be set annually through the fees and charges budget setting process at 50% of the full ERoB resident fee at the time it is required.