Issue - meetings

Decisions:

1. That the implementation of the new burial times on a 6 month trial be continued. That a review be undertaken after a 6-month period, and make any necessary changes after further consultation with funeral directors.

2. That the vehicle provision be continued as is currently, and allow 24/7 access to Neath Port Talbot Council owned cemeteries, with the addition of safety measures as detailed in the background section of the circulated report. That the situation be continued to be closely monitored, and address any complaints that are received individually and in a timely manner.

3. That the width of a headstone be increased from 610mm to 762mm.

4. That the provision of new bricked graves within Neath Port Talbot Council owned cemeteries be ceased.

5. That the current arrangement in regards to memorial seats be continued, that no further individual memorial benches within the cemeteries be allowed. That community benches be installed as an alternative, allowing those that request a memorial bench to have the option of a plaque on a community bench.

Reason for Decisions:

1. The new burial times allows sufficient time between burials, and means that the cemetery staff do not need to work over their contracted hours. This increases staff morale and will ensure that staff can follow health and safety measures/provisions as they will have sufficient time to use wash facilities and will not be required to work in poor light conditions.

2. By keeping vehicle provision the same, the Council are still allowing access for all its users on a 24/7 basis. Additional measures are to be put in place in order to address recent complaints and crimes such as additional signage, kerb edging (where appropriate) and CCTV cameras.

3. In order to maximise burial space, the provision of bricked new graves is proposed to cease within Neath Port Talbot owned cemeteries. This not only causes grave space issues, it is also a health and safety issue as it can cause stability issues between the earthen walls of neighbouring graves.

4. As an alternative to an individual memorial bench, install community benches within our cemeteries. The Council have a need to prioritise grave space, and a community bench is a way of using land that is not suitable for burial and can incorporate 10 plaques. This allows the Council to reinstate a service that the public request.

Implementation of Decisions:

The decision will be implemented after the three day call in period, which ended at 9am, Sunday 9 October 2022.