Cemetery is taken to task
Concerns over plot‘adornments’
South Lanarkshire Council have been accused of “dropping the ball” when it comes to enforcing regulations at Rutherglen Cemetery.
A meeting of the Burnside Community Council saw residents complain about the installation of adornments such as railings and electric lights in the facility.
It is also claimed many of the plots make it hard for the council to maintain the property.
They now want the council to stay on top of the issue rather than letting it continue.
Community council chairman Jim Neil said he visited the cemetery recently, adding: “A lot of it looks pretty tasteless.
“The impression I am getting is there is a real reluctance to take this up with bereaved families who believe what they are putting up is tasteful and appropriate as a memorial to deceased loved ones.
“We are in a position where the council have dropped the ball. This cannot be solved without causing immense unhappiness.
“The problem here is there is a credibility gap. The council’s guidelines are quite clear but when people see others doing it, they think they can do it too.
“The rules are sensible rules because they retain a sense of decorum.
“I can understand the sensitivity of taking on this challenge of telling the bereaved and there would be offence caused but we can ask them to get control of the situation.
“All we can do is hope they make inroads into this long-standing problem.”
Some members of the audience said they had reported problems at the cemetery. One said the cemetery had also become a drinking den for local youths.
Alistair McKinnon, head of facilities, waste and grounds services with South Lanarkshire Council said: “We are aware of this very sensitive situation at Rutherglen Cemetery and will work closely with families to resolve the concerns raised by the community council.”