AGENDA ITEM NO: 8
ENVIRONMENT AND REGENERATION SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2008
REPORT FROM CHIEF ENVIRONMENT OFFICER
NEW CEMETERY – PROGRESS REPORT
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
To inform Members of current progress in the acquisition, layout and provision of a new
cemetery for Wrexham County Borough, and to report on the current facilities at Wrexham
Cemetery.
INFORMATION
1
The need for additional burial land was first identified to the then Environmental SubCommittee of the Council in 1999 which approved the acquisition of new burial land in
principle.
2
At the Executive Board meeting of 5 December 2006, Members authorised that an
application for planning permission be submitted for development of land at Plas
Acton Road, Rhosrobin, subsequently planning permission has been granted, subject
to compliance with conditions encompassing road safety and environmental concerns.
3
Authority was also given to the Chief Transportation and Asset Management Officer
and the Chief Environment Officer to pursue negotiations with the landowner to
acquire the site, but that in the event of negotiations with the landowner breaking
down, authorise that the land be acquired by compulsory purchase, pursuant to
powers contained in Section 121 of the Local Government Act 1972. The
Compulsory Purchase Order was made on 16 April 2008 but it is hoped that it will not
be necessary to ask the Welsh Assembly Government to confirm it, due to the
progress of the voluntary acquisition of the site.
4
Exchange of contracts and completion on the voluntary acquisition is expected
imminently. Once this takes place, work may start on site development.
5
A plan of the site layout is attached as Appendix 1. The main features include car
parking at the main entrance for 20 vehicles including provision for wheel-chair
access, leading on to a single track looped access road with one-way traffic for funeral
corteges. Areas have been set aside for the provision of materials storage, garaging
for plant and equipment, and temporary office and staff welfare facilities, with
provision for future permanent facilities when required.
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6
Other than the normal family burial plots for up to three interments, planned burial
facilities will include provision for an Infants burial section, cremated remains section,
and some limited provision for woodland burial where space permits. Administration
of burial functions will be carried out via Wrexham Crematorium.
7
Development of the site is expected to take place as follows, subject to adverse
weather or other unforeseen circumstances:October/November 2008
Final designs approved, preparation of estimates.
December/January 2008/09
Preparation of tenders, tendering period, opening, assessment and report. Client
approval to proceed. Award contract.
February/March/April 2009
Layout and construction of main features. First burial: end of April. Official opening
date to be decided.
8
Current burial facilities at Wrexham Cemetery consist of:29 No new graves for up to three interments
15 No new graves for single interment
8 No non-purchased infant graves
3 No purchased infant graves
30 No cremated remains plots
9
The number of new graves sold at Wrexham Cemetery during 2007 were:30 No new graves for up to three interments
12 No new graves for single interment
16 No non-purchased infant graves
3 No purchased infant graves
5 No cremated remains plots
10
The number of new graves sold so far during 2008 (to 31 October), were:37 No new graves for up to three interments
7 No new graves for single interment
10 No non-purchased infant graves
2 No purchased infant graves
9 No cremated remains plots
RECOMMENDATION
That Members note the report.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
None.
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WEBSITE INFORMATION
None.
Report Ref: CEnO/26/08S
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