Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety presented a report on proposals for landscaping and other works at Chadwell Heath Cemetery to provide additional burial space in an extended area of the site.

The Cabinet Member explained that there was a shortage of burial space within the Borough, with Chadwell Heath Cemetery only able to offer new burials for plots that had already been purchased.  Planning permission for the extended area at the site had been granted several years ago and some works, including drainage improvements and the raising of the land above the high water table, had been carried out to make the area more suitable.

An investment of £400,000 would enable the extended area to be brought up to an aesthetically appropriate condition and the Cabinet Member referred to the range of proposals, which included a bespoke area for Muslim burials and a pet cemetery.  In response to a question regarding the location of the pet cemetery, it was noted that the area was not ideally suited to human burials although the new drainage and raising of the land meant that it would now be entirely suitable for pets.  With regard to the area for Muslim burials, the Cabinet Member confirmed that the pricing structure would be reflective of the availability of other dedicated Muslim burial space in the neighbouring area as well as the limited capacity at the Chadwell Heath Cemetery.  On that issue, it was noted that the new pricing structure for the Borough’s cemeteries would be presented as part of the corporate fees and charges report to be presented to Cabinet later in the year.

The Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree an investment of £400,000 to complete the extension of Chadwell Heath Cemetery as detailed in the report, which shall include:

·  landscaping work to enhance the whole site;

·  installation of above ground vaults;

·  development of a new scattering area;

·  development of a new bespoke area for Muslim burials;

·  development of a pet cemetery.

(ii)  Note that officers are to undertake an options appraisal for a new car parking area to serve the Cemetery.