The petition of the residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that Sandbach cemetery is nearly full so future burials would take place several miles out of town; notes that a local petition calling for an extension to the cemetery land has received over 4,400 signatures.
The petitioners therefore urge the House of Commons to request Cheshire East Council to reconsider their decision not to extend burial provision in Sandbach.
And the petitioners remain etc.—[Presented by Fiona Bruce, Official Report, 14 July 2021; Vol. 699, c. 486 .]
[P002676]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, QC):
Burial provision is a matter for local government to determine in the context of local circumstances and priorities, and within the relevant statutory and regulatory framework. It would therefore be inappropriate for central Government to comment on, or seek to intervene in, decisions made by individual local authorities in this regard.
As there has not been consistent evidence to suggest that pressure on burial space is an issue nationally, central Government have not wanted to impose national measures where local initiatives and management can best address local issues.