Cremation costs increase as council tries to trim budget

THE cost of cremation is to rise as part of a raft of fee increases by Craven Council.

Under the new fees, cremating the body of someone aged from 16 upwards at Waltonwrays Crematorium in Skipton will rise from £471.50 to £496.50 from April 1.

The cost of burials is to rise by five per cent and the price for interment of cremated remains will increase by 12 per cent from £89 to £100.

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The new prices are among increased fees and charges for many services which will take effect from April 1 after being approved by Craven Council’s Policy Committee.

Craven Council’s leader, Coun Chris Knowles-Fitton, said: “The current tough financial challenges which face all local authorities have made it necessary for us to increase the charges for many of our services. We do this reluctantly but as fairly as possible in order to maintain services at an acceptable and realistic level.”

Most of the increases will be at a rate of five per cent, but some will be much higher.

The council says that where a “relatively small number” of increases exceed five per cent, the higher levels will reflect “both the additional cost of implementing the services and/or comparative charges with other similar authorities”.

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As well as those using the council’s bereavement services, people who use Craven Pool and Fitness Centre will be hit by the rise in fees.

It will also affect the cost of environmental health services, including pest control and environmental health licensing.

And the revised fees will affect tenancies, rentals and leases, land charges, and waste management including bin replacements and trade waste collections.

Members of the council’s policy committee have already agreed to controversial increases in car parking charges and to introducing fees for pre-planning application advice.

Some services will remain at their existing cost.

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The council’s fees and charges are reviewed every year as part of the annual budget setting process.

According to the council, the increases for 2011/12 have been approved “in the context of a £920,000 reduction in central government funding as well as growing inflationary pressures”.