Agenda item

Lucy Ellender, Advisor, introduced the paper and noted a range of issues affecting councils’ crematoria provision and the work of coroners. The paper also set the proposed work programme to respond to the three reviews related to crematoria and coroner provision announced by Government.

Members welcomed the report and made a number of comments:

• There is a lack of land and space available for traditional burials. This was becoming critical, especially as planning policies had an impact on the opening of new cemeteries and crematoria.
• The provision of burial services to local communities is an area where local authorities can provide good quality services. There had already been a number of reviews undertaken by councils to look at the provision of these services that the LGA could draw on.
• The increase in private provision of cremation services had, in some areas, added pressure to council’s ability to cover costs as well as invest in and maintain facilities.
• The interaction between the health and care systems and coroners was creating delays in the issuing of death certificates.
• There was concern about the length of time coroners inquests can take. Members noted that there were differences in approach between coroners and that this can have an impact on the bereaved. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard changes were also affecting the number of cases coroners had to deal with.
• There were concerns that the introduction of the Chief Coroner for England and Wales to oversee the coroner system had introduced a new level of bureaucracy when sharing local best practice could be an alternative.

Actions:

Officers to progress as appropriate.

Decision:

Members agreed officers should produce a short guide for councillors to support them in scrutinising cremation provision. Members also agreed the LGA responds to the Government’s consultations on crematoria and coroner provision.