HAPS+-+news+-+cemetaries+controversy+7.2010

=**Haringey's Cemetaries for sale?**=


 * UPDATE, 14th July 2010:** //Following objections by the Federation the Council has withdrawn the privatisation threats to Wood Green & Tottenham Cemeteries, and postponed the proposals for the Enfield Crematorium to September to allow some time for consultation...//


 * Haringey Federation of Residents Associations - Statement, 8.7.2010**

We have just discovered that it seems that the Cabinet next Tuesday (13th July) will be discussing selling off the management of Haringey's Cemetaries. This would be, as far as we can tell, without any consultation with the borough's residents, and against the advice of the Council officers currently running the bereavement service (who have proposed selling off the management of Haringey Council's crematorium site in Enfield, but keeping those which are within the borough). The idea is likely to be highly controversial, especially as there has been no consultation.

You may want to seek more information or press the Council about this matter further... The Council leader is: clare.kober@haringey.gov.uk Cabinet member for Recreation Services is: dilek.dogus@haringey.gov.uk

The HFRA hasn't had time to consider our policy on this as we have only just read about it in the Cabinet papers just released (see below) - there seems to be a discrepancy in what the Director of Recreation Services (who manage the crematoria) is recommending, and what the Council's Chief Executive is saying should happen...

However, this proposal is likely to be highly controversial. Everyone should be concerned at the potential long term implications of this so called 'disposal' of a vital public service, and the failure to engage with the borough's residents.

Dave Morris, HFRA Secretary

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__** 19. ENFIELD CREMATORIUM BURIAL PROVISION AND REDEVELOPMENT PLAN ** (Report of the Director of Adults, Culture and Community Services - To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services): To provide an assessment of the current performance and investment needs of the service; to identify options to secure future viable and sustainable service delivery; and to approve recommended options for the Council to **cease its Bereavement Services** and **dispose of its three operational sites**.


 * 10. Consideration of Wood Green and Tottenham Cemeteries**

In relation to Wood Green and Tottenham Cemeteries, they advise the following: In the light of the information provided it is apparent that the most sustainable and profitable element of the Council’s current operation is the crematoria and cemetery at Enfield. Wood Green has potential for a good income stream in the immediate future but will then be dependent on the less certain income from re-openings. Tottenham is already in this situation.

Having regard to the foregoing and the appendix reports it is considered that the **best option** for the Council in order to secure the long term future of it’s service can only be **to offer, by tender, a package of the three sites** based upon a minimum of a 15 year agreement subject to annual review, the current surplus, the extension potential and with provision for inflation. The Lodge House on the crematorium site is regarded as beneficial to the service and should be included within the package offered.