Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services presents an annual report on the Burial Strategy Update which summarises the slide presentation appended.

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services submitted a report providing an annual update on the Burial Strategy.

The Bereavement Services Manager presented the report.

The report highlighted the overall demand for burials, identifying the impact on existing cemetery provision.

The report detailed planned works to improve the visitor experience at Gilroes Cemetery and the need to rectify issues related to car parking, traffic and drainage.

Changes to legislation in 2024, were summarised and an update was given on the Law Commission review of Burial, Cremation and New Funerary Methods legislation.

Further key points to note were:

·       There was not a statutory duty placed on Local Authorities to provide burial spaces.

·       Remaining burial space remaining for the Local Authority was estimated to reach full capacity around 2023/31. There was a need to    find a solution by the end of 2026 to allow time for new development.

·       There were four cemeteries in operation within Leicester, these being Gilroes, Saffron Hill, Belgrave and Welford Road Cemeteries.

·       The number of burials had peaked during Covid with a 20% increase, but this trend was now decreasing.

·       Saffron Hill and Gilroes were the only cemeteries which were conducting burials in new graves.

·       Demand for new graves for Muslim burials was on average 60 - 65% of all new graves per year. Saffron Hill Cemetery had been extended to accommodate the number of Muslim burials.

·       Improvements were required at Gilroes Cemetery which included resolving problems with traffic circulation, parking spaces and drainage. Consultations were commissioned to resolve these issues.

·       Legislation changes made in September of this year had seen the biggest change in death certification for over 50 years. All deaths (excluding still born babies) were now subject to scrutiny either by a Coroner or a Medical Examiner. This was now in line with the process followed for cremations.

·       It was recognised that complex burial and cremation legislation had become outdated. The Law Commission of England and Wales was carrying out the ‘Burial, Cremation and New Funerary Methods Project’ in response to this. Public consultation was now live for the Burial and Cremation element of this.

Members were invited to ask questions for the Bereavement Services Manager to respond to and it was noted that:

·       A previous piece of work had come to scrutiny examining points raised in this report. Having received the report, there was now clarification that these points were national issues.

·       Safeguarding proposals for grave reusage were for next of kin consultation and an application to the Secretary of State. Suggestions had been included within the proposals on suitable time periods after which reusage could take place. The grave would not re-used if objections were received. This was in line with legislation already in place in London.

·       The difference between reclamation and reusage was clarified. Reclamation would occur when unused burial spaces within a plot were reclaimed by the local authority. Reusage would involve disinterring remains already in a grave and reinterring them deeper within the same space allowing room for a newer burial above.

·       There were around 150 acres of burial ground across the city. The majority of this space had already been used.

·       There were approximately 2500 graves remaining for usage across the city (these being at Gilroes and Saffron Hill.)

·       99% of Muslim burials took place at Saffron Hill. The graves could be used for double burials.

·       Additional burial land was being sought. If land was secured outside of the Leicester City boundary, extra funeral fees would not be incurred as the facility would be still be managed by Leicester City Council.

·       There was a surplus within the budget for both burials and cremations, but that surplus would end when the space had been fully used and the sites would still require maintenance.

·       Stillbirths were not classified as ‘deaths’, this is why scrutiny on cause of death for stillbirths did not take place.

·       The additional legislation on scrutiny of death had not impacted on Local Authority resources or caused a delay in processes. 

·       National Consultation on proposals was open.

·       If Leicester City Council had burial facilities outside of the city, it was suggested that, working to principle, the fees would be the same.

·       The Commission could be updated on the number of graves left in each Cemetery and the financial position as well as maintenance costs.

·       Around 400 new graves were dug each year.  Further information on this could be sent to the Commission.

AGREED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account by the lead officers.

3)    That figures on the numbers of new graves dug be emailed to the Commission.

4)    That a six-monthly written update on remaining space was requested to track if burial space was likely to be available until 2031 and to include information on the workplan for Gilroes Cemetery, updates from the Law Commission.

5)    That the Commission be updated on the outcome of the CDS findings.

6)    That information be provided on the number of graves left in each Cemetery and the financial position as well as maintenance costs.