Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the evacuation and housekeeping procedure.

Cllr Sylvia Walmsley declared a personal/non prejudicial interest as she was close personal friends with a contributor.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 19 May 2025.

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Action Plan for Agreed Recommendations.

The Assistant Director for Housing and a Fairer Stockton-on-Tees presented an action plan setting out how the agreed recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Affordable Housing would be implemented and target dates for completion. The overall aim of the review had been to explore potential options for how Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council as a non-stock holding authority could increase the supply of affordable rented housing in the borough and thereby address the housing need.

It was noted that the Affordable Housing Option Appraisal supported in Recommendation 1 would be presented to Cabinet for approval on 12 June 2025. The Common Allocation Policy referred to in Recommendation 4 had been approved by all partnering Authorities and therefore would be implemented on 7 July 2025.

Discussion took place regarding Local Housing Allowance Rates, with members expressing concern that these did not match the rising cost of private rent and had a considerable impact on residents’ budgets. Members felt that the letter to Central Government regarding this matter under recommendation five should be sent by the end of June 2025.

The Committee thanked the officer for the action plan and suggested that an update on progress be brought back before the next 12 months, at a date to be determined.

AGREED that the Action Plan be approved with an amendment to the date of completion for Recommendation 5 to end of June 2025, and a progress update be provided in due course.

To receive information in relation to this scrutiny topic.

The Committee received verbal evidence from representatives of Thornaby Funeral Services, along with the Imam of Abu Bakr Mosque and chair of Maryam Mosque in Acklam. They explained burial chambers/rings were a preference, not a requirement, in the Muslim faith, and that the majority of the community that they served did not want a burial chamber but wished their casket to be placed in to a soil plot. It was noted that some Muslims did not wish to be buried in a casket but placed in the grave in only a shroud, however this was not practiced locally.

Concern was raised by Thornaby Funeral Services and the representatives of the Mosque that the concrete burial chambers and rings filled with water due to the climate of the country and terrain in the local cemeteries. It was noted that they had undertaken three burials outside of the Borough where the sides of the plot were lined with breezeblocks on the family’s request which acted as a trench and caused problems.  They believed that the majority in their community would not wish their family members to be buried in such conditions.

It was noted that some members of the Maryam Mosque were choosing to bury their family members in Thornaby cemetery incurring extra cost rather than a Middlesbrough cemetery as they did not wish to be buried in a burial chamber which Middlesbrough used for Sunday burials.

In response to a question whether it would cause any offense by offering a choice of burial chambers or rings, both the Imam and the funeral directors confirmed that they wouldn’t be. If it was a choice available they would work with the family of the deceased to carry out their wishes. However, they advised that there was a comparatively small population of Muslims in the Borough, and in their experience it was a minority of Muslims who wished to be buried in burial chambers. Concern was raised by the representatives of the extra cost of chambers being passed on to families at a time of grief and loss.

A member of the Committee noted that there were different branches of Islam, and for some branches chambers were preferred. It was noted the current practice in the Borough was to place the casket into a wooden frame, and they believed that a concrete ring would be an improvement on this structure.

Members questioned if there were any other issues within burials services for the Muslim Community and informed by the Funeral Directors that they would like to see the timings for burials extended, noting that in some areas of the country they buried up to 8pm.

The Committee also received evidence from Middlesbrough Council Burial Services regarding their use of burial chambers. Middlesbrough carried out approximately 60 Muslim burials per year and they had installed 38 concrete burial vaults approximately 25 years ago. There had been no demand for the vaults and they were not used until approximately three years ago when the decision was  ...  view the full minutes text for item PLA/17/25

Consideration was given to the Work Programme.

AGREED that the Work Programme be noted.