This report sets out options to maintain burial provision in Reading beyond 2030 and recommends a preferred option of using reserve cemetery land at Henley Road.

Further to Minute 33 of the meeting held on 23 September 2021, the Committee considered a report setting out options for burial provision beyond 2030.  A confidential annex to the report set out indicative purchase prices for a number of potential sites for a new cemetery as well as estimated development costs.

The report explained that a survey of land suitable for cemetery provision within the Borough and up to five miles from its boundary had been completed by an external company specialising in cemetery development.  The survey had not identified any suitable land within the Borough boundary, and efforts to attract interest in a partnership arrangement with a neighbouring local authority for a new cemetery had been unsuccessful.  The possible use of land at Caversham Park had been explored but the owner of the site was not willing to discuss selling any part of the estate for an extension of the Henley Road Cemetery. 

The report stated that, in the absence of sufficient progress with other options and the timescale and cost of building a new cemetery, the suitability of the Henley Road Allotment site for burial use had been explored.  The land had originally been purchased for a future extension of Henley Road Cemetery, and if it was found suitable and reclaimed for cemetery use it would provide up to a further 2,300 graves (circa 14 years supply).  Definitive results of site surveys and ground water testing would not be available until June 2025, but initial findings indicated that the site would be suitable.  At this stage,it was estimated that the cost of preparing the allotment site for cemetery use was likely to be in the region of £2.8m with the additional graves generating income of more than £8.4m at current prices.  The extension would increase maintenance costs by £60,000 per annum, which would continue after the area became full.

The report noted that there was likely to be opposition to the use of the allotments for cemetery purposes, but that the land had always been held in reserve for cemetery use and that the area was needed to enable the Council to maintain service provision and existing income streams.  Importantly, the extension would facilitate the long-term strategy needed to take account of potential developments in burial, cremation, and related funeral services over the next 5-10 years.  There would be a requirement to compensate existing allotment holders and, potentially, deal with any legal challenges.  Due to the amount of investment, strength of attachment and feelings tenants had towards their allotments, the moving or closure of allotments was difficult and could cause distress and anger for allotment holders. It was therefore recommended that a consultation be carried out and the outcomes reported to a future meeting of the Committee to inform the final decision.

The report explained that, for longer-term burial provision beyond 2044, the potential purchase of agricultural or pastureland within 10 miles of the Borough Boundary had been explored and that several potential sites had been identified where the owners had indicated a willingness to sell.  Indicative figures of the likely land purchase costs were set out in the Confidential Annex attached to the report and the report sought authority for officers to enter into negotiations and report options back to the Committee.  Any project would require substantial capital investment of circa £10.5m, with further details and a breakdown of the different elements also set out in the Confidential Annex.

Resolved -

(1)       That the options considered to maintain burial provision in Reading beyond 2030, as set out in the report, be noted;

(2)       That the preferred option for further burial provision be to utilise the reserve cemetery land at Henley Road to continue providing the service in Reading until 2044;

(3)       That the Assistant Director for Policy, Performance & Customer Services, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Corporate Services & Resources, undertake formal consultation with key stakeholders on the preferred option to identify further impacts and mitigating actions;

(4)       That the results of the stakeholder consultation be submitted to this Committee in January / February 2025 for consideration and final decision on using the allotment site for cemetery provision;

(5)       That the Committee note the estimated total cost of the preferred option was £2.8m and that further budget provision would need to be approved through the Medium-Term Financial Plan subject to a final decision being made in January / February 2025;

(6)       That, subject to funding being approved through the capital programme, the Assistant Director for Property and Asset Management, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Corporate Services & Resources, the Director of Finance, the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services, and the Executive Director of Resources be authorised to secure any option to procure further land for a new cemetery for future development to meet long-term demand for burial provision beyond 2044 and report back options to Committee.