At a full council meeting on June 29, councillors were informed of the “operational pressures” within the cemetery, including staffing levels and their impact on grounds maintenance.
The cemetery manager provided an update on the challenges and actions being taken to maintain service delivery.
The council said it had received written complaints about the state of the cemetery.
Concerns were raised about the presentation of the cemetery, including weeds in certain areas and soil quality in some sections.
Officers confirmed that these issues were being addressed.
The council said it would consider the grounds maintenance arrangements, including grass cutting regimes and biodiversity considerations such as No Mow May, at a future meeting.
The council also discussed public communication and the use of social media, noting that a review of relevant council policies is underway.
The chief officer confirmed that staffing and training arrangements remain in place and that recruitment continues to focus on appropriate standards and values.
The council said that a previous independent review would be further considered by a working group prior to any extraordinary meetings being convened and reported back to full council in July.
The mayor also expressed thanks to the council’s gardener for his “phenomenal work” in maintaining the Cemetery Approach Gardens.
The council resolved that the documentation relating to the previous independent review be circulated to all members.
A working group will be established, comprising the chair of the personnel committee, the chair of the halls and cemeteries committee, and the leader of the council, to review the documentation from the previous independent review following the comments raised above prior to any extraordinary committee meetings potentially being convened.
A report will be brought back to a meeting of the full council in July following the review of the documentation.
