Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed

It is noted that in the meeting this item was considered prior to all other decision items.

The Chief Executive submitted a report to:

-        provide Committee with details of the estimated remaining burial space within the operational part of Waddington Road Cemetery, Clitheroe.

-        provide Committee with details of the proposal to extend Waddington Road Cemetery, Clitheroe, into the adjoining field.

-        asking Committee to consider a request from local residents of the Muslim faith to have a denominational area for Muslim faith burials within Waddington Road Cemetery, Clitheroe.

It was noted that the Waddington Road Cemetery in Clitheroe is the only operational Council owned burial area in the Ribble Valley and is currently designated as non-denominational.  The Council estimated that there is currently space within the operational part of the cemetery for 180 burial plots, 90 ashes plots and that it would take approximately 7-8 years to fill these.

In 2011 the Council purchased the field adjoining Waddington Road, Cemetery and obtained outline planning permission for this to be used as a cemetery.  To progress the cemetery extension, a ‘Reserved Matters’ application is to be submitted to the planning department which will include details such as a Ground Water Risk Assessment, a drainage scheme and a plan of the cemetery layout. Significant information will be required to ensure that the environmental risks are examined and that Environment Agency requirements are met.

The request to the Council had been to create a denominational area within the operational part of Waddington Road Cemetery, Clitheroe, exclusively for the burial of local residents of the Muslim faith; up to 60 individual plots had been requested.

It was noted that there are specific requirements for Muslim burials, namely:

-        Each individual interred must have their own grave

-        Interments must be as quick as possible

-        The grave must be dug perpendicular to Qiblah

-        The Muslim grave area must be separate from that of other faiths

-        Muslim graves must not be walked or driven upon

Members debated the matter.  Whilst they agreed that local residents of the Muslim faith should be able to be buried in the Ribble Valley, there were concerns raised with regards to the suitability of the current operational part of the cemetery.  In particular, issues such as lack of adequate parking, traffic levels, possible flooding and whether the current site would comply with Sharia Law were discussed.

Councillor M Robinson proposed that approval be granted to allow for denominational grouping within the current operational part of the cemetery and that twenty plots be reserved for members of the Muslim faith.  This was seconded by Councillor W Holden.  A vote was taken but the motion was not carried.

Councillor S Atkinson made an alternative proposal which was seconded by Councillor R Elms.  A vote was taken, and the motion as follows was carried.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.     Determine that the current operational part of Clitheroe Cemetery should remain strictly non-denominational.

2.     Approve the proposed new cemetery extension being a mixture of both denominational and non-denominational burials.

3.     Subject to the requisite planning permission being granted, approve the following:

a.     Up to 60 graves can be reserved for members of the Muslim faith in the new cemetery extension.

b.     All Muslim graves can be dug perpendicular to Qiblah (facing East) so the head of the interred faces Mecca.

c.     The boundary to a denominational area for Muslim burials can be separated by a boundary i.e. a pathway / line of shrubs etc.

d.     Adequate car parking to be provided as part of the scheme.

e.     The new cemetery extension will be completed and open within three years.

Councillor J Alcock left the meeting after this item had been discussed.