FUNERAL charges for Wirral residents are to go up for the second time this year – while the cost of cremations for people from outside the borough will be slashed by more than £100.
The inflation-busting price changes are to be considered by Wirral council’s cabinet this week and if approved, will come into force on December 1.
Last night, Wirral’s Conservative group leader, Cllr Jeff Green, condemned the increases charges as “desperate measures” by the ruling Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition.
And cabinet member Councillor Bob Moon admitted the authority’s current financial difficulties were behind the increase.
The charges for cremations will increase by 3%, along with most other services, taking the cost of cremation from £477 to £491 for Wirral residents.
But because neighbouring authorities offer cheaper rates for similar services, Wirral has decided to reduce the cost for non-residents who are cremated in the borough, from £705 to £596.
The funeral charges have already been increased once this year, by 3% in April. Cllr Moon insisted the latest rise was still below the current rate of inflation, and pledged there would be no further increase next April.
In September, the Retail Price Index was 3.9%, down from 4.1% in August.
Cllr Moon said: “The increase follows a review which shows we are still under the average for the North West, and we are bringing charges into line with that.
“We would normally put them up in April, and we will not be putting them up next April.”
He said the reason for the early increase was “just pressure of costs”.
Cllr Moon claimed there was also evidence the borough was losing out to neighbouring authorities which offered cheaper funeral services.
During 2006/7, Landican Crematorium carried out 3,015 cremations of which 165 were for non residents.
A report by Wirral’s director of regeneration, Alan Stennard, to the borough’s cabinet this week said: “It is thought Landican crematorium may be currently losing a number of cremations to Chester as the current charge of £705 for a non-resident is £233 more expensive than Chester crematorium. Compared to the first quarter of 2006, cremations of non-residents at Landican were down by 15% in 2007.”
The report added: “It is proposed that all charges will increase by approximately 3% except for the interment fee for cremated remains which will increase by 4%.
“The charge for extra chapel time will be increased by 10%, and the provision of a memorial tree plaque by 27% due to increase cost of the materials.”
Cllr Green said: “This is a further desperate measure by the cabinet to try and resolve a financial crisis that they have brought about.
“Once again everyone is going to have to pay for Labour and the Lib Dems’ financial mismanagement.”
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