Public meeting on burial ground issues
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MEMBERS of the public are invited to discuss cemeteries and other amenities in east Caithness at a public meeting in Wick on Wednesday (January 29).
Wick and East Caithness councillors are hosting the meeting in the Norseman Hotel (starting at 7.30pm), with a particular focus on cemeteries and burial grounds.
Highland Council is reviewing amenity areas as part of its redesign process, Councillor Raymond Bremner explained.
"There was also a motion brought to council that banned the use of products with glyphosate in them in certain public areas," he added.
"In general, there are a number of points that members of the community bring to our attention regularly.
"The public meeting will give an overview of the service, how we would like to see it shaped in the future and how those who wish to support the work of the council can do so."
The meeting will have PowerPoint presentations and question-and-answer sessions.
A number of the council’s amenities officers will be in attendance as well as officers in charge of burial grounds.
"Some concern has been raised about cemetery capacities for the future and queries about management rules. These will also be looked at on the evening," Councillor Bremner said.
"There is also a consideration within members of the community to set up a Friends of East Caithness Cemeteries group to support volunteer groups undertaking maintenance assistance in our local cemeteries.
"We would like to discuss how the council can recognise, acknowledge and work with these supporters to ensure that it is delivering a reasonable understanding and expectation of service delivery that can be achieved in the future.
"There are lots of other aspects to this that will be referred to on the night, including village officer contributions and the public’s consideration on community payback involvement."