Agenda item

* RESOLVED –

1.        That the proposed cemeteries fees and charges for 2020/21, as detailed in Appendix A of the officer’s report, be approved and implemented from 1 April, 2020.

2.        That the introduction of the Children’s Funeral Fund for England and the amendment of the fees and charges table at Appendix A of the officer’s report regarding any fee relating to the burial of a child under the age of 18 years be noted, clarifying that fees will not be payable by the bereaved families; rather these fees will be claimed from the Children’s Funeral Fund for England. 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.        There has been a decline in burial numbers over recent years which has coincided with above average fee increases. It is expected that by applying the fees set out at Appendix A of the officer’s report, burial numbers will be consolidated and the service will move closer towards cost recovery.

2.        To generate income to contribute to the costs of providing and maintaining a burial service.

The Interim Assistant Director – Commercial Services submitted a report setting out the proposed fees and charges for the Council’s cemeteries for 2020/21.

The report took account of the level of fees and charges levied by other local authorities and cemeteries providers. It also referred to the Children’s Funeral Fund for England which had been established by the Government earlier in 2019 to meet the costs of burials or cremations of children under the age of 18.

The proposed fees and charges were detailed at Appendix A of the officer’s report.

* RESOLVED –

1.        That the proposed cemeteries fees and charges for 2020/21, as detailed in Appendix A of the officer’s report, be approved and implemented from 1 April, 2020.

2.        That the introduction of the Children’s Funeral Fund for England and the amendment of the fees and charges table at Appendix A of the officer’s report regarding any fee relating to the burial of a child under the age of 18 years be noted, clarifying that fees will not be payable by the bereaved families; rather these fees will be claimed from the Children’s Funeral Fund for England. 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.        There has been a decline in burial numbers over recent years which has coincided with above average fee increases. It is expected that by applying the fees set out at Appendix A of the officer’s report, burial numbers will be consolidated and the service will move closer towards cost recovery.

2.        To generate income to contribute to the costs of providing and maintaining a burial service.