Outrage Over Cemetary And Crematorium Privatisation Plans

4.17.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 22nd Jun 2007

At the last meeting of the cabinet (19th June) the new Conservative administration brought forward proposals to "outsource" (privatise) Torbay's cemeteries and crematorium

Once again the Conservatives are rushing ahead with their 'flog off everything' agenda, even to the extent of selling off the dead.

In 2005, the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Board (which was Liberal Democrat led), undertook a wide-ranging and thorough review of the Crematorium and cemeteries. It recommended:

• that the council work in partnership with other councils to make best use of the burial space; and

• that the council also negotiate a partnership agreement with a management company to run the crematorium.

The overview and scrutiny board also recommended that a clause be included into any agreement that the fees and charges could not be increased without the council's consent. Also, the relatives of children under the age of 16 years would not be charged for cremation or burial, in line with existing policy.

But what the Tories now have in mind is something far more drastic.

Clifton with Maidenway Councillor Ruth Pentney, whose ward includes Paignton Cemetery, declared her "outrage" at the way the Conservatives are addressing this sensitive issue. She said:

"There has been no consultation and all. As far as I am aware the Parents Group at Torquay Cemetery haven't been consulted, neither have the Friends of St Andrews Churchyard in Torre. I

and my ward colleague Ian Doggett are about to form a 'Friends' Group for Paignton Cemetery, where do these proposals leave that idea? In other parts of the country cemeteries have been flogged off and are then just left to go to ruin.

"Cemeteries do cost a lot to maintain this is why Ian and I are trying to form the Friends Group, for the community to help support the bereaved. I was a part of the scrutiny panel, which recommended partnership working for the crematorium only. It seems to me that Tories want to wash their hands of any responsible to provide services for anybody - alive or dead!"