NORTHCLIFFE PARK, SHIPLEY IS ONE OF FIVE SITES IN THE DISTRICT BEING CONSIDERED FOR A NEW CREMATORIUM AS PART OF THE COUNCIL'S BEREAVEMENT STRATEGY
To be moved by Councillor Kevin Warnes
Seconded by Councillor Martin Love
Council notes that:
a) Northcliffe Park is one of several sites being considered by the Labour Executive as the location for a replacement crematorium for the Council’s existing facility in Nab Wood;
b) a new crematorium would be a substantial structure, with car parking and a garden of remembrance; would require new access roads; and would therefore substantially degrade the amenity of a large part of the existing park;
c) the 1921 Indenture makes it clear that the park can only be used “entirely as an open space for the recreation and benefit of the public and for no other purpose whatever”;
d) Shipley residents are overwhelmingly opposed to the option of building a crematorium in Northcliffe Park.
Council therefore requests that the Labour Executive formally remove Northcliffe Park from the list of possible sites for a new crematorium.
Decision:
Resolved –
Council notes that:
a) The Labour Executive is planning to make a necessary investment in bereavement facilities to meet the district’s needs now and into the future. This is to ensure that all communities have access to the high-quality, caring and efficient services we all rightly expect;
b) Nab Wood, Scholemoor and Oakworth crematoria are emitting mercury into the atmosphere and for this, the Council on behalf of Bradford pays an annual levy;
c) Cleaner, more efficient crematoria are essential for the district in the future;
d) A part of Northcliffe Park is one of five sites to be considered by the Executive as the location for a replacement crematorium for the Council’s existing facility in Nab Wood; a part of Littlemoor Park, Queensbury is another potential location being considered. The other three sites are commercially confidential.
e) There are very few sites suitable for a crematorium anywhere in Bradford such is the strict national legislation governing their location;
f) The Council has commissioned a detailed feasibility study into the five sites;
g) The Council values the parks and green spaces of Bradford and would always by preference avoid using them for this special purpose. It will always respect the decision of trustees regarding the parks.
The Executive therefore awaits the findings of the feasibility study which it will then consider along with all the facts and expressed public sentiment before a decision can be reached. This will not happen before 2019.
ACTION: Strategic Director Place
Minutes:
A motion was moved by Councillor Warnes.
An amendment, as set out in the resolution below, moved by Councillor Ferriby was carried.
Resolved –
Council notes that:
a) The Labour Executive is planning to make a necessary investment in bereavement facilities to meet the district’s needs now and into the future. This is to ensure that all communities have access to the high-quality, caring and efficient services we all rightly expect;
b) Nab Wood, Scholemoor and Oakworth crematoria are emitting mercury into the atmosphere and for this, the Council on behalf of Bradford pays an annual levy;
c) Cleaner, more efficient crematoria are essential for the district in the future;
d) A part of Northcliffe Park is one of five sites to be considered by the Executive as the location for a replacement crematorium for the Council’s existing facility in Nab Wood; a part of Littlemoor Park, Queensbury is another potential location being considered. The other three sites are commercially confidential.
e) There are very few sites suitable for a crematorium anywhere in Bradford such is the strict national legislation governing their location;
f) The Council has commissioned a detailed feasibility study into the five sites;
g) The Council values the parks and green spaces of Bradford and would always by preference avoid using them for this special purpose. It will always respect the decision of trustees regarding the parks.
The Executive therefore awaits the findings of the feasibility study which it will then consider along with all the facts and expressed public sentiment before a decision can be reached. This will not happen before 2019.
ACTION: Strategic Director Place
