Youth cremation and burial fees scrapped PKC will waive charge for everyone under the age of 21
Grieving families will no longer have to pay fees to bury or cremate children aged 18 to 21.
Councillors on the environment and infrastructure committee were told earlier this week that cash was available to waive the burial and cremation fees for all children and young people up to the age of 21.
At the meeting on Wednesday, September 5, they also agreed to extend this to young people using after care services up to the age of 26.
This comes after it was agreed to scrap the fees for children under 18 back in May.
At the May meeting, Cllr Doogan (Perth City North) had asked this be extended to age 21. Cllr Angus Forbes (Carse of Gowrie) this week confirmed they were able to do this, and extend it to 26 for those using after care services.
Cllr Forbes, convener of the committee, said: “At the last meeting the committee agreed a proposal to waive the fees for burials and cremations of children and young people under 18 years of age.
“Following a request by Cllr Doogan, the committee also agreed to extend this to 21 years of age, subject to costs identified being within the delegated authority of the executive director.
“Since that meeting, discussions have taken place at the Scottish Government and COSLA, that local authority burials and cremation fees should be waived for children aged 17 and under, with funding support to be provided to councils by the Scottish Government.
“The Scottish Government’s intention is for this new arrangement to be implemented by October 12.
“As a result, I am pleased that we are able to confirm the committee’s decision taken in May.”
Following on from this week’s
Perth Crematorium announcement, it means fees for children up to the age of 21 will no longer be paid by the grieving family.
It also means residents can receive after care up to the age of 26.
Cllr Forbes continued: “Given the funding commitment by the Scottish Government, I would like to propose that, in recognition of the council’s statutory corporate parent responsibilities, the committee agreed to waive the fees for burials and cremations for any resident in Perth and Kinross and entitle them to after care services up to the age of 26 years of age.
“If agreed, all the changes to charges will come into effect from October 12 to coincide with the Scottish Government’s proposal and funding for burials and cremations for ages 17 and under.
“The additional costs to extend the age from 17 and under up to 21 years, as well as those resident in Perth and Kinross entitled to after care services up to the age of 26 years, can be contained in the housing and environment revenue budget.”
The news was welcomed unanimously by all sitting on the environment and infrastructure committee.
I am pleased that we are able to confirm the committee’s decision taken in May