This report sets out the results of the public consultation and the preferred option of using reserve cemetery land at Henley Road to maintain burial provision in Reading beyond 2030.

The Committee considered a report providing results of a public consultation on future cemetery provision and the Henley Road allotments. Appendix 1A and Appendix 1B to the report provided a summary of the consultation questions and responses. Appendix 1C provided additional information in response to the options set out in the report provided to Policy Committee on 18 September 2024.

The report explained that a consultation on future burial provision was undertaken between 2 October and 6 December 2024, 330 response were received from Reading residents of which 67 identified themselves as Henley Road allotment holders. The key learning points from the consultation were:

a)    There was a strong preference for local burial options with a need for burial spaces to be available for future generations.

b)    There was significant concern about the loss of the allotments, primarily amongst allotment holders, with a sentiment that their use for burial was a short-sighted option that did not address the long-term issue of burial space.

c)    Concern about the loss of the allotments was coupled with recognition that the land was originally intended for cemetery use.

d)    There was some opposition to having a cemetery outside of the Borough due to distance and additional costs with a preference for provision to remain within the Borough.

It was reported that a third of the allotment holders who responded said that they would want to start again at a new plot which suggested that, should the land be used for burial, at least 40 allotment holders would wish to be relocated.  A consultation meeting was also held with a representative of the Muslim community and the Area Dean of Reading. Both advised that the Council should not underestimate the strength of feeling about the importance of burial to the community and that any decision to end provision would be strongly opposed.

In addition to the consultation on future burial provision, officers were instructed to continue the search for and acquire purchase rights over new land outside of Reading to meet long-term demand for burial space. This search would continue and a further report would be submitted if suitable land was secured. Provision to support this work was also proposed within the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy. However, at this stage and as previously reported to Policy Committee, there was no affordable, deliverable option for a new cemetery at this time.

The report recommended that the Council proceed with the previously agreed preferred option for future burial provision and sought agreement to proceed with the necessary planning, studies, and assessments as part of a planning application for the closure of the Henley Road allotments by December 2028. In the absence of land that was available and affordable within or outside the borough, the use of the Henley Road allotment site offered the only viable option for the Council to continue to provide burial services for Reading residents. The closure of the allotment site would be complete in three tranches (October 2026-March 2027, October-March 2028, and October-December 2028). This would require a detailed transition plan for the transition of the allotment holders which would be done in consultation with Lead Councillors.

Work to consider provision beyond 2044 would continue, potentially in partnership with one or more surrounding boroughs.

The Committee discussed the report and it was noted that officers would be undertaking detailed planning, assessment and studies to support a planning application.

The Committee considered a motion for the funding for phasing of both the development and relocation of the Henley Road allotments, however this motion was not carried.

Resolved –

(1)       That the results of the public consultation on future cemetery provision and the Henley Road allotments be noted;

(2)       That the use of the reserve cemetery land (currently used to provide the Henley Road allotments) remains the preferred option to continue providing a burial service in Reading until circa 2044;

(3)       That the estimated total cost of the preferred option is £3.13m and that further budget provision has been included for approval through the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and the Capital Strategy be noted;

(4)       That the Executive Director of Resources be authorised to undertake all necessary assessments and studies and submit a planning application for proposed burial use of the reserve ground on which the Henley Road allotment site is currently located;

(5)       That a detailed plan to manage the closure of the allotments and mitigate the reasonable concerns of allotment holders will be developed in consultation with the Lead Members be noted;

(6)       That the search would continue for additional land to meet burial provision beyond 2044 be agreed.