CONTROVERSIAL cemetery charges in East Hampshire are being reexamined at a special meeting later this month.

East Hampshire District Council is holding a challenge workshop on January 14 as part of an overall Òbest valueÓ review of the service provided by the district council, with its controversial cemetery charges among the items up for discussion.

Bordon vicar Hazel OÕSullivan is hopeful that the workshop will result in a district council rethink over the burial charges, which she claims are far higher than those in neighbouring areas.

She said: ÒIn March I raised the subject of cemetery charges at a community committee meeting. I have doggedly pursued it ever since and, with the help of councillor Ferris Cowper, have finally made some small headway and charges will be reviewed.

ÒSo far EHDC has only agreed that there are ÔanomaliesÕ and speaks of Ôvalue for moneyÕ.

ÒEHDC will argue againstmy data robustly but it is a fact that because they require people to purchase a double depth grave, they are very expensive.

ÒPeople need only purchase a single depth grave in other areas.Ó

Ms OÕSullivan told The Herald that the minimum price for a grave in East Hampshire is £667, with Rushmoor Borough Council charging £469 and Waverley Borough Council charging £305.

ÒRushmoor and Waverley would add an additional charge for exclusive rights when a memorial is erected,Ó the vicar said.

ÒEHDC professes to have this included, so you pay whether you want it or not, but their charging list gives it as an additional figure in the same way as other authorities.Ó

She is hopeful that residents will turn out in force to the workshop, although she fears that only a handful of people are aware of it.

ÒI am very anxious that people wonÕt actually get to hear about the meeting,Ó she said.

ÒThose who need the facility donÕt realise how much more they pay, even though Bordon is clearly less affluent than surrounding areas.

ÒPoor publicity for the workshop is likely to result in EHDC assuming that people are happy.

ÒIt has to be said that Whitehill Cemetery is very well cared for and the service provided has always been exemplary in my experience.

ÒNonetheless, others provide a similar standard much more cheaply.Ó

The challenge workshop on January 14 will take place at EHDCÕs offices in Petersfield at 2-30 pm. To attend contact Lyn Hayler on 01730 234285.