Decision details

That the Leader of the Council:

1)    Authorises, until further notice a restriction on the number of mourners attending each burial service to 15;

2)    Authorises the temporarily suspension of the back filling of graves during the Covid-19 pandemic where appropriate in line with this report;

3)    Delegates authority to the Director responsible for Cemeteries to restrict the number of burial services held per day at Carlton, Redhill and Gedling cemeteries should this become necessary, in line with this report; and

4)    Delegates authority to the Director responsible for Cemeteries, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to close Cemeteries to the public save for those attending funerals or burial services, should this become necessary, in line with the report.

To take proportionate action in relation to the current COVID-19 pandemic aimed at protecting staff and the residents of the Borough and to ensure that measures in respect of social distancing are supported as far as possible in our cemeteries.

An alternative option is for operations to continue as at present. The Council has a responsibility to its residents to ensure that they remain healthy and safe, particularly whilst on Council premises. These measures, are considered absolutely necessary at the current time to reduce social contact in our cemeteries and to protect staff who deliver cemetery services.