Sefton cremation and burial fees increase approved

A £150 increase in the cost of burials and cremations has been approved by Sefton Council's cabinet.

The price of a cremation rises from £600 to £750, with a burial going up from £750 to £900.

The increased charges will generate additional income of about £400,000 a year, it has been estimated.

A decision had been deferred for consultation since the autumn and now needs ratifying by full council on 28 February.

The council is looking to save about £50m over two years, due to government cuts in funding.

Council and Labour group leader Councillor Peter Dowd said: "When you get to a situation where you have to save £50.8m over a two-year period, you do make decisions which are very, very difficult and impact on people.

"No-one is trying to hide that. We've got a warts-and-all budget."

The changes are proposed to come into effect in April and would affect four cemeteries and two crematoria.