Cost of death set to rise in West Lindsey

The cost of death is set to rise at West Lindsey’s cemeteries next year, along with a number of other fees and charges.

A number of costs associated with the facilities will go up by 3.4 per cent in line with national inflation, according to a report before the authority’s Prosperous Communities committee.

It will, for instance, see the price of a single grave up to a maximum of 9ft by 4ft rise from £575 to £594.50, while one for double or triple interments will go from £805 to £832.

The only cost not to rise is for the exclusive right of burial for the cremated remains of a child up to the age of 12 which will remain at £100.

The rate of inflation has also been applied to some non-statutory charges in relation to car parking, environmental services, land charges, licensing, planning, housing, waste and building services.

Statutory fixed penalty notices are set to rise to the maximum allowed by Government from £25-100 domestically and £15-75 for industrial and commercial notices.

In licensing however, reductions will see new and renewal site fees for second year inspection from £464 to £240 and in housing enforcement fees within housing will decrease from £300 to £250.

A report due to go before the committee says the review has included a ‘robust’ exercise including looking at total costs and ensuring those are recovered as well as comparing to other authorities and market conditions,

 “There is sound justification to support the proposed fees and, where the fees proposed do not reflect the full cost of providing the service, there is a sound basis for the decision based on the managers understanding of the commercial environment,” it says.

“Where fees have been reviewed, having a greater regard to benchmarking data, we have tried to ensure that they are at a level whereby they do not vary substantially when compared to other local authorities in the area.”

The report adds: “In areas where the council experiences external competition, again we have tried to ensure that the rates remain competitive and value for money. It would not be prudent to risk pricing ourselves out of the market just to satisfy an aspiration to achieve a set increase in fee income. It is not believed that the proposed fees will price ourselves out of the market but it is vital to allow managers some flexibility on fees when trying to secure business, without breaching any regulations.”

Other changes will see prices given when residents apply for things like trade waste and private street cleansing work depending on the needs of the customer.

The authority has reviewed more than 500 of its fees and charges with 246 of those being statutory charges set by Central Government and 266 being non-statutory.

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