St Edmundsbury Borough Council is about to start work on making memorials in its cemeteries safe.
Following extensive consultation and discussion earlier this year, the council agreed on a policy of making memorials safe by sinking them partially into the ground if no other remedial action could or would be taken by relatives. Staff will begin work on this at Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill cemeteries during November.
This process will only take place in instances where, despite extensive publicity and research, nobody has come forward as a memorial’s deed holder and no living relatives can be found. Although sinking them will make memorials safe and improve their appearance, it will still be possible for a permanent repair to be arranged by anyone at a later date.
There are a small number of cases where for a variety of reasons it is not possible to make safe memorials by sinking. For example, the size or shape of some memorials may make this impractical. In these cases, another method appropriate to the individual memorial will be used.
Cllr Paul Farmer, portfolio holder responsible for the borough's cemeteries, said:
“As a responsible local authority we have a duty of care towards the people visiting our cemeteries and must therefore make these memorials safe. However, we are fully aware that this is a very sensitive issue and will ensure any work is carried out respectfully, and with minimum disruption.”
Notices will shortly be posted at the cemetery gates to inform visitors of the work, while information will also be available at the borough council’s offices, Citizens Advice Bureaux, libraries and the borough council website.
ENDS
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
