Agenda item

To receive an update on the Council’s long term supply of burial space.

The report of the Chief Officer (Parks and Countryside) provided an update on the long-term burial plan for Leeds.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor S Arif, Executive Member for Public Health, and Active Lifestyles

·  Sean Flesher, Chief Officer Parks, and Countryside

The Chief Officer (Parks and Countryside) introduced the report and provided an update on the position of supply in Leeds. Information relayed included:

·  An overview of table 3, setting out the 2008 position on new graves available across the city. The table evidenced that East-northeast Leeds was under most pressure, particularly in Harehills. Proposals were therefore developed to construct new cemeteries at Whinmoor and Elmete.

·  Cemeteries at Garforth and Kippax were also extended.

·  South-southeast increasing provision. Further provision has been provided at Hunslet Cemetery along with Phase 1 of an extension at Cottingley Cemetery.

·  There is a possibility to extend Cottingley Cemetery further subject to planning permission, adding an additional 7.1 years to the South-southeast.

·  There is planning consent to extend Whinmoor Cemetery, with the possibility to add an additional 7,000 graves.

·  An area of land has been identified in the east-northeast area, subject to further considerations and planning, and will provide a further 594 graves.

·  The overall projected supply at the end of November 2022 stands at 14.2 years, however, with the potential new burial spaces being developed, the figure will stand at 34.3 years provision.

In responding to questions from members, the following information was confirmed:

·  Provisions for faith groups across cemeteries. All of the council’s cemeteries are multi-faith, there is adequate provision across all cemeteries and it us up the individual where they would like to be buried. Further to this, a member queried whether it would be possible to dedicate sections of cemeteries to faith groups.

·  The position on Cottingley Cemetery. The proposal to extend Cottingley Cemetery will not take up all of the available space of the playing pitch. The scheme currently has preliminary plans, but it was confirmed that as part of that proposal, there is an opportunity to improve recreational value.

·  Clarity on cremation trends and different methods of burials. The council do not currently consider different methods of burials, due to the adequate provision of supply. There is a current trend of cremations increasing and specific requirements for faith groups also increasing.

·  Types of commemorations within communities. Most local authorities will only have 1 crematorium. There is an offer for families to strew remains in memorial gardens, and having the cremated remains buried in a small pot. There is also an option for a memorial tree.

·  Clarity on the assessment of spaces required. The council review current demand and work out the number of new graves constructed over the last 6 years. Each year this is assessed to determine whether any new projects are required.

A member suggested that officers liaise with planning colleagues in terms of identifying sites prior for provision and as part of the Site Allocations Plan process.

The Chair thanked those for attending, and in particular, the Board paid thanks to Sean Flesher for his last 40 years of service and commitment in his work to improve parks and greenspaces across the city and wished him well in his retirement.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and update on the long-term supply for burial spaces in Leeds.