Issue - meetings
Petition against reduced staffing levels at Alperton Cemetery
Meeting: 18/10/2010 - Executive (Item 6)
6 Petition against reduced staffing levels at Alperton Cemetery PDF 82 KB
This report informs the Executive of a petition that was received from residents against the reduction of staffing levels at Alperton cemetery. They have concerns that the level of maintenance of the cemetery will reduce. The petition also states that visitors felt safe when staff were present and that already a noticeable difference in security issues has arisen.
Decision:
i. that the contents of the petition received and the concerns of the petitioners regarding the security issues and levels of maintenance at Alperton Cemetery be noted;
ii. that the current status of security at Alperton Cemetery be noted;
iii. that the information set out in the report submitted on why the changes to the service have occurred be noted;
iv. that no reinstatement of staffing levels at the present time be undertaken but that a further report be submitted after the new arrangements have been in operation for 6 months.
Minutes:
Mrs Thompson spoke on behalf of visitors to the cemetery and in support of the petition submitted to the Council. She reminded the Executive that Alperton Cemetery was named cemetery of the year in 2007. She asked why the visitors to the cemetery were not consulted about the changes which were only found out about by talking to the workmen working in the cemetery. Since the changes had been introduced there had been vandalism and it was very upsetting to those that had loved ones buried there. Another petitioner added that she had gone to the cemetery that evening and found the gates unlocked after the closing time of 5pm with youths congregating because of the lack of security. She added that the grass cutting had been carried out poorly and it was very disappointing to see what was happening to the cemetery.
The Leader thanked the petitioners for attending the meeting.
The Leader referred the petition received by the Council. The report before the Executive dealt with the concerns raised by the petitioners over the reduction in staffing levels at Alperton Cemetery.
Councillor Powney referred to the two principle concerns raised by the petitioners. Following the Council's reorganisation the landscaping function had been transferred to the Parks Service and he undertook to pass on the concerns raised. Regarding the security aspect he confirmed that the gates should be locked and that therefore this also needed to be taken up. However he added that upon introducing these measures the police had been consulted and had not raised any issues.
Councillor Brown spoke as ward councillor in support of the concerns raised by the petitioners.
It was agreed that officers should meet with representatives of the petitioners to communicate to them what action would be taken to address their concerns and in light of this it was also agreed that the position should be reviewed in 6 months time.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that the contents of the petition received and the concerns of the petitioners regarding the security issues and levels of maintenance at Alperton Cemetery be noted;
(ii) that the current status of security at Alperton Cemetery be noted;
(iii) that the information set out in the report submitted on why the changes to the service have occurred be noted;
(iv) that no reinstatement of staffing levels at the present time be undertaken but that a further report be submitted after the new arrangements have been in operation for 6 months.