Content

11.1

The Executive Director Neighbourhood Services
submitted a report stating that, on 4 December 2024, a petition was
presented to Sheffield City Council requesting new burial space in
the city. Following this, the Council unanimously referred the
matter to the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee(S&R) to
be included in the S&R Work Programme. This report provides an
update on the significant progress made, including collaboration
between various departments (Property, Planning, Ecology and
Bereavement Services) to assess the feasibility of new burial
space. A shortlist of potential sites has been identified, with
ongoing efforts to evaluate land availability, accessibility and
environmental factors.

 

 

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That
Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) notes the contents of this report;
 
(b) notes the progress made by the Council
towards securing new burial provision in Sheffield as set out in
this report;
 
(c) indicates support to the approach outlined to
progress this work;
 
(d) confirms that the Strategy and Resources
(S&R) Committee has been assured that the petition presented on
4 December 2024 has been considered;
and
 
(e) agrees that the S&R Committee retains
strategic oversight of delivery of new burial provision in
Sheffield.

 

 

11.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

11.3.1

The report outlines the progress made towards
securing new burial provision in Sheffield and confirms that work
on this matter should continue as described. It is evident that the
petition presented on 4 December 2024, is being actioned and the
provision of new burial space has been prioritised. Financial
decisions related to this matter will be made by the Finance and
Performance Committee, following the Council’s governance
procedures

 

 

11.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

11.4.1

Alternative Option: Do Nothing. This would mean
that Sheffield City Council would run out of burial space within
8years, and sooner for Muslim burials. This option was rejected
because the impact of Sheffield City Council running out of burial
land would be far-reaching, affecting the emotional wellbeing of
residents, putting pressure on funeral services and creating
significant challenges in urban planning, infrastructure, and
community relations.