The cost of burials on the Isle of Wight could stay the same after an increase in fees was halted, but the price of cremations is still set to rise.
The pause in the charge increase, however, has already lost the Isle of Wight Council £10,000.
Following the approval of the Isle of Wight Council’s budget in February, for the 2022/23 financial year, bereavement service fees were going to increase between five and ten per cent.
But councillors were concerned about the affordability to Islanders.
The cabinet is now looking to put in a revised fee structure, which will keep some charges the same as last year but see others increase.
The recently released cabinet report reveals the only change in the cremation fees is that for a direct cremation — which could cost £482, instead of the £608 approved in February alongside other cremation increases.
When the fee increase was frozen in March, however, Cllr Chris Jarman, the cabinet member for strategic finances, said the cost would be reduced to £450.
Burial costs will remain the same.
The introduction of the fees approved in the budget would make the council £120,000 — £30,000 in fees for the live streaming video service and £90,000 from the increase in fees.
For each month the introduction is delayed though, it will lose the council £10,000.
This is a financial risk, the council says, as the income supports other services.
Should the revised fees be introduced, as officers recommend, on July 1, then the pause would have cost the authority £30,000.
The other option for cabinet members is to not implement the revised charges, meaning the council would have to find £120,000 from elsewhere in the council’s budget.
Cabinet will make the decision on whether to introduce the implemented fees and undertake a business model review on Thursday, May 12.
Currently, in the bereavement services business model, there is an annual 5.4 per cent increase in fees built into the budget.
The review will include a look at rising utility costs, which is already a potential budget pressure for the authority, with financial modelling to include additional funds for maintenance and refurbishment.
The report says the administration is intending to proactively seek new streams of income it can reinvest in services for the community by acting in a more commercially-focused manner.
Seaview Pub Picks Up National Award
Isle Of Wight Radio Child Of Wight Awards 2024 Nominations Now Open
Fire Service Issues Water Safety And Mud Rescue Advice For Isle Of Wight
New Online Cancer Support For Local Residents
Specialist Monitoring Equipment Now Installed At Leeson Road
West Wight Runner Jackie Follows PB Marathon Run With Eastenders Appearance
West Wight Pub Can Now Be Listed As 'Asset Of Community Value'
Royal Navy 'Bomb Squad' Called To Seaview Following Ordnance Alert
Automated Gates Arrive On Wightlink’s FastCat Foot Passenger Route
Help Keep Isle Of Wight Streets Neat – Bring Your Bin In
Two Passengers Injured Following Bus Crash In Ryde
Late Night Reports Of Collision Spark Extensive Land, Sea And Air Search
Islanders Taking On London Marathon Today For Local Charities
Four Men Arrested Following Rogue Trader Activities In East Cowes
Rugby Players Set To Scale Great Heights For Teddy
Drug Driving, Domestic Abuse And Stalking Among Arrests Made As Police Target Isle Of Wight Criminals
Work Begins On ‘Monumental’ Mural Project At Historic Columbine Building
More Acts Added To Isle Of Wight Festival Line-Up
St Mary’s Vaccination Hub Gets Ready For Spring Covid-19 Vaccinations
Twenty Isle Of Wight Pubs Under Threat As Stonegate Issues Profit Warning
