Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the evacuation and housekeeping procedure.

There were no declaration of interests.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 9 June 2025.

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive information in relation to this scrutiny topic.

The Committee received a presentation from Officers which recapped the information received during the review to date, including:

• Arrangements for burials, noting that weekend burials took place in “next in line” plots and not pre-paid plots.
• Burial numbers, with members reminded that there were between 400-500 burials a year, and approximately 2% of burials were for the Muslim community.
• The existing offer of Wooden Burial Frames, which the coffin was dropped into and a lid placed on before being covered with soil. This was introduced during the COVID period and had continued to be used as it gave flexibility and was easy to fit into the burial plot on the day.
• The experience of Middlesbrough Council who used concrete vaults for weekend burials. They had concrete vaults which had to be retro worked on to change into concrete rings due to drainage issues.
• A breakdown of the cost and requirements for concrete burial rings with a cover, which had been the requested type of vault. If these were installed, they would be in a pre-dug section with appropriate drainage to aid with the removal of water. It was noted that water would not be fully removed due to the water table in the area being low, and work would still be needed on the day of a burial. Capital costs were separated into the cost of installing 10 or 16 rings, however the Committee were informed that the company providing the rings would prefer to install a section of 16 rings. The cost of the purchase of the burial rings would be passed on to those who wished to bury their family members in this type of plot.

The Committee also received verbal evidence from the Imams of Ali Mrtaza Mosque and Farooq e Azam Mosque and Islamic Centre, along with representatives of Usman e Ghani Mosque and Bowesfield Residents Association. They explained their issue with the current option for burial, the Wooden Burial Frames, was that the frames collapsed due to the water levels in the ground at Thornaby cemetery and subsequently needed to top up the soil on the grave weekly. It was noted that there had been instances where the frame collapsed during the burial. Several of the representatives attending had been to visit cemeteries in other areas that had burial vaults, including Walsall and Hallifax, and believed that concrete rings with a lid was the best option for burial.

The Imams explained the main priority for burial in Islam was to provide the respect that the deceased deserved, treating the body as sacred. It was acknowledged that people had different opinions on methods of burial, but Islam was not a rigid religion, and it was their belief that burying in a chamber or ring was a way to uphold respect for the deceased and thereby acting on the main principles of the religion.

It was suggested that people in the Muslim community the attendees represented were happy to pay the extra cost for a burial ring,  ...  view the full minutes text for item PLA/22/25

Consideration was given to the Work Programme, and it was noted that the next meeting in September would be the informal session to review all evidence received.

AGREED that the Work Programme be noted.