Purpose

Seeking approval to extend the policy and
associated fee to all North Northamptonshire cemeteries

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY DECISION
 

That
the Executive approved the implementation of the Burial Reservation
Policy and fee across all North Northamptonshire owned and managed
cemeteries.
 
 
Reasons for Recommendations - The Council and customers will
receive the maximum benefit from the option proposed. There is only
a finite amount of land for cemeteries and graves within the
Council area, therefore, it is the responsibility of this Authority
to manage this resource appropriately to ensure that it is
available for the longest possible time to the widest number of
families. This has been managed effectively via a Burial
Reservation Policy and Fee in the former Kettering Borough Council
(KBC) legacy authority cemeteries and we would wish to extend this
policy to all Council owned and managed cemeteries.
 

Alternative Options Considered: The Council could choose to
retain the status quo and keep the current position and therefore
different policies would continue to apply at different cemeteries
which would:
         

·      
impact on the management of cemeteries and planning
for the future.

·      
unfairly affect residents wishing to reserve burial
plots in the Kettering area
 
The
Council could choose to remove the current Burial Reservation
Policy in place in the former Kettering legacy area in its entirety
which would: 
         

·      
impact on the management of cemeteries and planning
for the future.

·      
potentially shorten the life of the cemeteries
requiring additional capital investment in delivering new
extensions and new cemeteries ahead of time.
 
There is also an additional option which could be considered,
and which was not consulted on or discussed with Scrutiny which is,
the Council could choose not to allow individual(s) to reserve any
burial plot which,
         

·      
would impact on the management of cemeteries and
planning for the future by ensuring that plots are used in turn and
empty plots are no longer accrued

·      
would potentially extend the life of the cemeteries
managing additional capital investment in delivering new extensions
and new cemeteries.

·      
would offer a level base for all residents wishing
to be buried in a cemetery.

·      
Would remove the need for additional administration
required for the management of reserved plots.

·      
May lead to complaints from users who would have an
expectation that they could reserve plots as has been the case
previously.