Walsall graves row rumbles on as council delays taking action
Hundreds of mourners who are at the centre of a row with Walsall Council over a grave maintenance issue have been told no enforcement action will be taken just yet.
However, a protest outside Walsall town hall on Sunday, complemented by a 2,000-name petition opposing the move, has prompted the council to suspend any action until September 19.
The petition will be presented to the council during a meeting on that date.
The group has vowed to hold another demonstration outside the Walsall town hall on the night.
Father-of-three Mehboob Matloob, aged 45, has been leading the fight to protect the graves in the cemetery where his younger brother is buried.
Speaking about the council's decision to postpone any enforcement action, he said: "This does give us some more time.
"It is a positive step, there is still a danger but at least things seem to be going in the right direction.
"Our concern is this issue has been going on for years and it has gone to the council before and nothing was done.
"The protest went very well on Sunday, we had around 500 people turn up.
"It is one of the first times that Muslim woman have come out to protest on an issue which does not usually happen in our culture.
"We will plan to hold another protest meet on September 19."
In a letter addressed to Mr Matloob, Councillor Sean Coughlan, the leader of Walsall Council, explained the council's position on the cemetery.
The letter reads: "It was always the case that Walsall Council would not be rushing to enforcement.
"You will be aware that following your meeting with senior officers in January this year, the council allowed a period of time to pass without seeking enforcement while the comprehensive consultation into the rules and regulations for bereavement services was undertaken, and before the cabinet made a decision to approve these revised rules.
"Furthermore, it remains our aim that family members will voluntarily remove items rather than the council doing so."
He said this would always be preferable, adding: "You have handed in a petition which will be presented to council, the next meeting of which is on September 19, 2016.
"You have been supplied with the council's procedure regarding the handling of petitions and officers will advise you in due course about how the council item will be organised.
"As it happens, our working timeline runs past the date of the council meeting in any event, so no enforcement will take place prior to that date."
