Decision details

The report provides background on a proposed community engagement scheme focussing on Leeds City Council cemeteries and crematoria. The report highlights the need for the scheme to be delivered and why it is necessary to recruit two additional members of staff to deliver it.

Recruiting two rangers to increase the current ranger resource would enable them to provide more support for the cemeteries and crematoria volunteer groups that are already established, help new groups get set up, and increase volunteering at the sites overall (through better publicity, corporate volunteering days etc.).

The outcome of more volunteer time being spent on cemeteries and crematoria will be improvements to these sites, since they would be better maintained (and possibly benefit from funds raised by the groups). Visitors should have a better experience and this has been proven to work following the establishment of ‘Friends’ groups at locations such as Lawnswood Cemetery and Woodhouse Ridge.

The Chief Officer of Parks and Countryside has approved;

- the appointment of two additional members of staff (based in the Parks and Countryside Service) to engage with communities in improving cemeteries and crematoria through volunteering.

Please refer to the report for details.