Families' concern on headstone repairs
Grave headstones which were branded unsafe by a council may not have been a serious risk to the public after all, the Government has said.
Plot owners who paid out £130 to have headstones repaired may have done so unnecessarily, but it is unclear whether they can demand the cash back.
More than 900 memorials failed safety checks carried out by Cannock Chase Council at Wolseley Cemetery in Rugeley and Cannock Cemetery, in Pye Green Road. As a result they were staked or laid flat.
Consequently, the grave deed owners were contacted to get them repaired.
Now draft guidelines issued by the Ministry of Justice has said there is no need to use mechanical tests which it said could be be misleading and councils should not assume because a headstone moved it was unstable.
The Government has also told councils not to stake memorials as a temporary repair but instead cordon them off or use signs warning of the danger.
Although councils can still use a hand test on the memorials no special tools or equipment should be used.
Local Government Minister John Healey said: "Heavy-handed actions by some graveyard operators, including councils, have caused unnecessary distress for people.
"While it is quite right they protect visitors from genuine danger they must also consider their feelings."
"This guidance should help them strike the right balance and crucially give peace of mind to those wanting to visit their loved ones' gravestones."
Frank Allen, of Broomhill Close, whose family will have to foot the repair bill after the council laid his parents' grave headstone flat in Cannock Cemetery, said those in his situation should be compensated.
Mr Allen, aged 71, said: "I was irate when I found out. We will reinstate it but under duress. We don't feel it was a danger before they laid it down but we cannot leave it lying flat."
Sandra Richards, for the council, said: "We have received the new draft guidelines and we cannot comment any further until we have reviewed them."
