Towns to get £500,000 boost for burial space

More money will be invested in burial spaces in Dewsbury and Batley

A total of £500,000 will be invested in burial space for Dewsbury and Batley, Kirklees Council has confirmed.

A motion from the council's Community Alliance group was approved during a full council meeting on Wednesday.

This means the leader and cabinet will now have to uphold their decision to find suitable multi-faith burial land for the two towns.

The news - which ensures that £500,000 of already-allocated council funding is only spent in these locations - was described as "a crucial victory" for communities.

The motion was proposed by councillor Yusra Hussain and seconded by councillor Masood Ahmed, with the backing of councillor Cathy Scott, councillor Paul Moore, councillor Habiban Zaman and councillor Adam Zaman, the Local Democracy Service reports.

The group said: "This is a crucial victory for our communities.

"The Community Alliance will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the needs of Dewsbury and Batley residents are met, and that burial space allocation remains a fair and transparent process."

The group also urged the council to enhance transparency regarding burial site provision, particularly by exploring ways to involve the wider community in discussions beyond the current Bereavement Forum meetings.

It comes after the Law Commission proposed that graves be reused up and down the country amid a national shortage, prompting opponents in Dewsbury to launch a petition.

Before any changes can be brought in, a report will be drawn up by the Law Commission and recommendations made to the government.

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