Agenda item
Burial Provision for Tower Hamlets Residents
To consider provision for residents in the Borough.
Minutes:
The Interim Head of Legal Operations introduced the item, referring to the tabled Mayoral Executive Decision on Tower Hamlets Multi-faith burial ground published in June 2013. He advised the Committee that the procurement of the burial ground incorporated a number of criteria which required negotiation. This negotiation had yet to be concluded; its details were commercially sensitive and therefore exempt. Notwithstanding, this decision was being progressed urgently.
The Committee noted the following matters
- Concern at the short time given for the site identification and for full consultation with faith groups. It was requested that a further month consultation period be permitted for liaison with the Interfaith Forum to enable their considered response to be offered to the Council. The Interim Head of Legal Operations advised that it was not likely that negotiations would conclude in this period and therefore consultation was still possible. It was agreed that the response of the Interfaith Forum be circulated to Overview and Scrutiny Committee members.
- Following the executive decision in 2008 it was agreed that there would be a report back after the first six months of the scheme had been trialled. The Committee requested that this report be presented.
The Chair advised that the discussion concerned the burial subsidy and burial site:
- Regarding the subsidy, he informed the Committee that a representation on funeral poverty had been received from the Quaker Society and it was his wish that this matter be considered in conjunction with proposals for a burial site. Accordingly he intended that Overview and Scrutiny Committee examine the burial subsidy scheme as part of a scrutiny review into funeral poverty in the new municipal year. Co-opted Member Dr Rice agreed that the comments of the Interfaith Forum be incorporated into this piece of work.
- Regarding the burial site, the Chair advised that his intention was that residents of the borough ought to be able to bury deceased relatives as near to the borough as possible and he wished to be kept appraised of progress on the procurement of a burial site. The Interim Head of Legal Operations advised that a site had been identified just within the M25 however negotiations were commercially sensitive and no further details concerning its location could be given at this time. A Member enquired whether the Council was required to make a provision in-borough or outside of borough without provision for district charges. The Interim Head of Legal Operations agreed to investigate the outer borough charges and respond to members in writing. Additionally the Committee noted there were different burial practices amongst faith groups and asked that absolute fairness for all in access to the site was provided.
The Chair enquired whether the programme would be concluded by 22 May 2014 and was informed that this was not yet known. The Chair noted that funds had been set aside for the purchase of a burial site and wished to be apprised of the proposed use for these funds if they were to be used for other purposes. The Acting Corporate Director of Resources informed the committee that £3 million had been set aside for the purchase of the burial site via a Council resolution; any proposed changes for the use of the funds set aside would therefore also require the same.
A Member requested that all information be collated and the matter brought to Committee for full scrutiny.
RESOLVED
1. That the verbal update to be noted
2. That the response of the Interfaith Forum be circulated to Overview and Scrutiny Committee before its next meeting in April 2014.
3. That the Senior Strategy, Policy and Performance Officer undertake detailed work on scoping and terms of reference for an investigation to on this matter to ensure that the scope and terms of reference were suitable for future review and that the Quaker Society should be advised of the proposal
Action by:
Dr Phillip Rice (OSC Co-opted Member Representing Church of England)
Graham White (Head of Legal Operations)
Mark Cairns (Senior Strategy, Policy and Performance Officer)
Antonella Burgio (Democratic Services)