Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that would also be considered by Council at their meeting on 4^th September 2018, that sought approval to commence with phase 2 of the extension programme for Lentons Lane Cemetery that would ensure that Coventry City Council would be able to supply burial as an option for the residents of Coventry for approximately the next 35-40 years.

In 2011/12 Bereavement Services began and completed phase 1 of the Lentons Lane Cemetery extension. This work included: a new cemetery entrance gate off Shilton Lane, and a building with toilet and mess room facilities. At the same time an assessment of medium term burial provision was made across the City including the potential use of land at Canley Cemetery. This assessment concluded that new burial provision would exist in Coventry for the next six to nine years. Therefore, the decision was taken to pause the further cemetery extension plans beyond phase 1. This released a short term saving to the City Council’s capital programme.

Given the lead time to create new burial space, it was now necessary to proceed with phase 2 of the Lentons Lane extension to ensure that there would be continuing grave provision within the City.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

1)  Approves the commencement of phase 2 of the extension of Lentons Lane Cemetery

2)  Approves the commencement of a procurement process to appoint a contractor to carry out and complete the works necessary.

3)  Delegates authority to the Director of Streetscene and Regulatory Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for City Services following the completion of the tender process to approve the award of the contract to the preferred bidder.

4)   Recommend that Council approves:

i)  £260,000 being made available from Corporate Capital Resources during September 2018 to commence the first part of the project, to cover the appointment of the design team and cover the ecology reports required. 

ii)  £1,893,000 is added to the Capital Programme being made available from Corporate Capital Resources during 2019/2020 to complete the project as described in section 1 of this report.