A Conservative Isle of Wight councillor has come under fire for suggesting a seven per cent increase in crematorium and cemetery costs "isn't actually a lot".
The controversial plans, which were described as "scandalous" by one opposing councillor, were approved at a budget meeting last night.
But it was the rise in crematorium costs which proved to be one of the most contentious topics yesterday evening.
Liberal Democrat's Cllr Andrew Garratt called for the rise to be reduced from seven per cent to two per cent, and said the move was "scandalous" given the country is in a national health crisis.
This prompted the cabinet member responsible for Community Safety and Public Protection, Cllr Gary Peace, to defend his administration. He said:
"Actually a seven per cent increase sounds a lot. It's not. We're not talking about bereavement services as a whole we're talking about purely the crematorium charges.
"Seven per cent only raises us or keeps us around the medium for the South East of England. So we're not charging anything more than most authorities or equivalent authorities are doing. So that puts that one to bed."
Mayor of Ryde, and Island Independent Group member, Cllr Michael Lilley said the service is already one of the council's most profitable income generation services.
He told members:
"I totally disagree with Cllr Peace in regards the crematorium costs because the Isle of Wight Council's bereavement services, which includes the crematorium, actually makes a profit.
"It is the most profitable of any of the income generation services. It is very sad that it is out of the loss of life but that is the reality. I would argue that it actually has sufficient profit to upgrade the site. I do not agree that there should be a seven per cent increase in that."
Cllr Geoff Brodie (independent Labour) also proposed reducing the increase in crematorium costs from seven per cent to two per cent.
He said he plans on putting Cllr Peace's comments on his campaign leaflets come the local election in May.
You can catch up with last night's meeting here.
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