Issue - meetings

This report recommends the adoption of a Public Health Funeral Policy.

Recommendation:

That the General Public Services and Community Engagement Committee agrees that:

1.       the proposed Public Health Funerals Policy be adopted and added to the Policy Register for review every three years;

2.       the professional genealogists are not used at this time; and

3.     authority to make any minor amendments required to this policy be delegated to the Associate Director for Environment in consultation with the Lead Member.

The Associate Director for Environment presented a report which recommended the adoption of a Public Health Funeral Policy.  The Committee noted that public health funerals were a statutory duty of local authorities; the proposed policy provided a framework for meeting this legal obligation and set out how the process of a public health funeral would be handled.   As the report proposed a formal council policy it would require Full Council approval, in addition to the approval of the Committee.

The work of the Bereavement Officer, who performed a difficult role in often sensitive circumstances, was commended.

Members supported the policy, noting that it also respected the faith and/or culture of the deceased.  The Associate Director for Environment confirmed that where specific wishes of the deceased were known, officers sought to ensure they were accommodated.  Additionally, an officer would attend the funeral in cases where it was known that no other attendees would be present.  

RESOLVED:

That the General Public Services and Community Engagement Committee agrees that:

1.       the proposed Public Health Funerals Policy be adopted and added to the Policy Register for review every three years;

2.       the professional genealogists are not used at this time; and

3.     authority to make any minor amendments required to this policy be delegated to the Associate Director for Environment in consultation with the Lead Member for Community Engagement, Public Safety and Housing.