The Strategy and Resources Policy Committee has decided to support measures to maintain burial capacity and progress new cemetery sites.

URL: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5037

Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: 10.1 The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services providing an update on the actions being taken to maintain burial provision in the short term while progressing the delivery of new cemetery sites.   A programme of interim measures is being implemented to increase and manage capacity within existing cemeteries. At the same time, work is progressing to bring forward new sites in line with the Citywide Cemetery Plan, with a proposed approach to prioritising site development, including the progression of feasibility at the Beaver Hill site.   The report also introduces the proposed exploration of partnership approaches to the delivery of burial provision, following engagement with stakeholders.     10.2 RESOLVED: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-       (a) notes the contents of the report, including the current position on burial capacity and the need for interim measures;   (b) notes and support the programme of interim measures being implemented to maintain burial capacity across the city;   (c) notes the progress being made to secure new cemetery land, including legal, technical and feasibility work;   (d) supports the proposed approach to prioritising the progression of work and allocation of resources across identified sites, including progressing feasibility at the Beaver Hill site, recognising the significant burial capacity pressures within the southeast of the city and the need to bring forward potential solutions in a timely manner;   (e) agrees that the Council continues to engage with stakeholders to explore potential partnership models for the delivery of burial provision, including the potential for a community organisation to acquire and operate burial land at one or more sites, with a further report to Committee setting out options and recommendations; and   (f) confirms that the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee will retain strategic oversight of this programme and requests a further update.       (NOTE: The result of the vote on the resolution was For – 16 Against – 0, Abstentions 3).     10.3 Reasons for Decision     10.3.1 The Council is facing increasing pressure on burial capacity across the city, with limited remaining provision in some areas. The approach set out in this report provides a coordinated programme of interim measures to maintain capacity in the short term while progressing the development of new cemetery sites in line with the Citywide Cemetery Plan.     10.3.2 The recommendations enable continued progress in securing new burial land, prioritising resources to areas of greatest need, and exploring potential partnership approaches where appropriate. The Committee is asked to note the progress made, support the proposed approach to delivery, and agree that further work is undertaken, while retaining oversight of this programme to ensure that burial provision is maintained for residents of all faiths and none.     10.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     10.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Do nothing / rely on existing provision   This option would involve continuing to operate within existing cemetery provision without implementing the interim measures or progressing new sites at pace.   This option has been rejected as it would not address the identified shortfall in burial capacity. Evidence set out in this report demonstrates that existing provision is limited, with capacity expected to be exhausted within the next few years, and significantly sooner for some types of burial.   Taking no action would lead to a loss of local burial provision, reduced ability to meet the needs of residents of all faiths and none, and increased reputational and operational risk for the Council. It would also be inconsistent with the Council’s responsibility to plan for future demand and maintain essential services.     10.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Rely solely on interim measures within existing cemeteries   This option would focus on extending capacity only through interim measures, such as reconfiguring existing sites and managing demand, without progressing new cemetery provision.   This option has been rejected as it would only provide a short-term solution and would not address the long-term requirement for additional burial land identified in the Citywide Cemetery Plan. While interim measures are necessary to maintain provision in the short term, there is insufficient land within existing cemeteries to meet future demand over the medium to long term.   Relying solely on this approach would increase the risk of repeated shortfalls in capacity and would not provide a sustainable solution for the city.     10.4.3 Alternative Option 3: Commission burial provision entirely through external providers   This option would involve the Council not directly delivering new cemetery provision, instead relying on private or external providers to meet future burial needs.   This option has been considered but is not viable as a full delivery model. There is currently very limited private provision in this sector. Cemeteries are large areas of green space requiring significant infrastructure and ongoing maintenance, and as a result are costly to operate with limited commercial return. This makes them generally unattractive to the wider commercial market, except in specific circumstances where targeted services can be delivered.   In addition, the availability of suitable land would remain a key constraint and would likely continue to require the Council to identify and bring forward sites. This option would therefore not remove the need for the Council to lead the development of new cemetery provision.   There would also be operational, legal and governance challenges in transferring responsibility in this way. Where the Council acts as a burial authority it takes on statutory responsibilities in relation to how those services are provided and managed. The Council currently delivers a comprehensive cemetery service across 16 sites, including second interments and the ongoing management of existing graves. Moving to a fully externally delivered model would introduce complexity in how these responsibilities are discharged, and in maintaining consistent standards, access and oversight across the service.   This option has therefore been discounted as a full approach, as it would be unlikely to be deliverable at the scale required, would not provide a timely or cost-effective solution, and would not address the underlying need to bring forward new cemetery sites.   However, elements of this option have been incorporated within the current proposals through the exploration of partnership approaches. This reflects specific interest from parts of the community in supporting or contributing to service delivery in defined areas, where this can be developed in a way that is lawful, viable and aligned with the Council’s wider responsibilities.  

Date of Decision: July 16, 2026