Issue - meetings

That the changes in memorial sizes, as detailed in the report, alongside the Terms and Conditions – be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment introduced a report regarding a review of the Council’s memorialisation rules and Regulations and seeking approval for changes in memorial sizes and the Terms and Conditions for Memorial Masons.

The size restrictions would mean that there would be uniformity, rather than having a higher headstone next to a standard sized one.  Memorial stonemasons had confirmed that the majority of people purchasing headstones (90%) were happy with the Council’s current size restrictions.  They had also advised that an increase in the restrictions to 40 inches would accommodate approximately 99% of requests.

The Leader invited three public speakers to come forward.

Dr Siobhan Spencer stated that there were many people who would welcome less restrictive rules.  She wondered if it was the safety aspect that was the reason for the changes and asked if there was a reason not to increase the height to the neighbouring stones in Stoke on Trent which was five feet.

Lisa Maughan stated that larger memorials would allow for more personalised designs and increasing the height restrictions would ensure that the cemeteries were all inclusive of all local community values.

Mary Maughan stated that the headstones completed a persons life and should be a fitting memorial to them. 

The Portfolio Holder stated that the Council had considered the changes to the memorial headstone size and those stated were considered to be best for Newcastle sites and communities.  The proposed increase to 40” would allow for more shaped headstones and additional words for inscriptions.

Resolved:    That the changes in memorial sizes, as detailed in the report,

alongside the Terms and Conditions – be approved.

Watch the debate here