The Strategic Director of Place will present a report (Document “AL” which contains a Not for Publication Appendix 2)that provides a progress update on delivery of the adopted Bereavement Services Strategy covering:-

·         Appointment of external specialists to assist with delivery of crematoria programme

·         Land Acquisition

·         The new Muslim burial ground lease with the Bradford ‘Council for Mosques’

·         Extension of Muslim burial ground at Scholemoor cemetery

·         Infrastructure repair to cemeteries

·         Revised Memorial Policy

Recommended that the Executive:-

(1)          Approve the recommendation made by the Strategic Director Place to remove Northcliffe Park from the list of potential sites for a new crematorium

(2)          Instruct the Strategic Director Place to communicate the decision made for removal of Northcliffe Park from the list of proposed sites for a new crematorium to the Regulatory and Appeals Committee of the Council sitting as Corporate Trustees.

(3)         Instruct the Strategic Director Corporate Services to commence land acquisition negotiations for the two sites specified within Not for Publication Appendix 2 of Document “..” up to the option to buy stage

(4)          Note and welcome the procurement of external specialist resources to complete the feasibility stage for the remaining 4 identified sites and subject to further approval, deliver progress to RIBA stage 3 for the design and build of two new crematoria

(5)          Instruct the Strategic Director Place to submit a report recommending the two sites to be approved for the construction of new crematoria and the estimated costs at the earliest opportunity.

(6)          Note and welcome the signing of the revised lease with Bradford Council for Mosques for the Muslim burial area at Scholemoor cemetery.

(7)          Note and welcome adoption of the revised Memorial Policy

(Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

                                                                        (Phil Barker – 01274 432616)

Resolved -

(1)          That the recommendation made by the Strategic Director Place to remove Northcliffe Park from the list of potential sites for a new crematorium be approved

(2)          That the Strategic Director Place be instructed to communicate the decision made for removal of Northcliffe Park from the list of proposed sites for a new crematorium to the Regulatory and Appeals Committee of the Council sitting as Corporate Trustees.

(3)         That the Strategic Director Corporate Services be instructed to commence land acquisition negotiations for the two sites specified within Not for Publication Appendix 2 of Document “AL” up to the option to buy stage

(4)          That the procurement of external specialist resources to complete the feasibility stage for the remaining 4 identified sites and subject to further approval, deliver progress to RIBA stage 3 for the design and build of two new crematoria be noted and welcomed.

(5)          That the Strategic Director Place be instructed to submit a report recommending the two sites to be approved for the construction of new crematoria and the estimated costs at the earliest opportunity.

(6)          That the signing of the revised lease with Bradford Council for Mosques for the Muslim burial area at Scholemoor cemetery be noted and welcomed.

(7)          That the adoption of the revised Memorial Policy be noted and welcomed.

Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee

ACTION:        Strategic Director of Place

The Strategic Director of Place presented a report (Document “AL” which contained a Not for Publication Appendix 2)that provided a progress update on delivery of the adopted Bereavement Services Strategy covering:-

·         Appointment of external specialists to assist with delivery of crematoria programme

·         Land Acquisition

·         The new Muslim burial ground lease with the Bradford ‘Council for Mosques’

·         Extension of Muslim burial ground at Scholemoor cemetery

·         Infrastructure repair to cemeteries

·         Revised Memorial Policy

The Strategic Director had recommended that Northcliffe Park be removed from the list of potential sites for a new crematorium.

The General Secretary, Bradford Council for Mosques attended the meeting and noted that since 1981 there had been a large increase in Muslim burials due to an increase in the population and a reduction in the number of repatriations.  He added that the Council for Mosques was working with Bradford Council Bereavement Service to meet this increase and draw up a Muslim burial strategy that was fit for purpose, working with all stakeholders.  He welcomed the proposals in the medium term but emphasised the need to investigate future provision.

The Leader was pleased to note that a Bradford based firm had been appointed as external specialists.  She added that a feasibility study would be completed for the remaining 4 identified sites and a report would be presented to a future meeting of the Executive with recommendations on 2 of the sites.

The Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder referred to the petition received at Council on 16 October regarding Northcliffe Park and noted the severe constraints, two of which were unique to this site, and that it had been recommended that the site be removed from the list of potential sites.  She stressed that there was a shortage of suitable sites and that a report would be presented to a future meeting on the 4 remaining sites.  She thanked the Council for Mosques and Council officers for their work.

The Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder welcomed the strategy in ensuring that bereaved families and deceased were treated with respect. He thanked the Council for Mosques for their work and noted the need for increased space to meet future needs for Muslim burials due to an increasing population and a reduction in repatriations.

The Leader anticipated the signing of the revised lease with Bradford Council for Mosques for the Muslim burial area at Scholemoor cemetery following the meeting.

Resolved -

(1)          That the recommendation made by the Strategic Director Place to remove Northcliffe Park from the list of potential sites for a new crematorium be approved

(2)          That the Strategic Director Place be instructed to communicate the decision made for removal of Northcliffe Park from the list of proposed sites for a new crematorium to the Regulatory and Appeals Committee of the Council sitting as Corporate Trustees.

(3)         That the Strategic Director Corporate Services be instructed to commence land acquisition negotiations for the two sites specified within Not for Publication Appendix  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67