Laying down unsafe headstones?

Rother cabinet discussed on Monday the maintenance of memorials in closed churchyards where the council has statutory responsibilities.

The churchyards include St Mark's at Little Common and St Peter's in the Old Town.

There was widespread public outrage in the past when memorials were laid down in Rother owned cemeteries.

Cabinet decided it should seek to test potentially dangerous headstones within church grounds they are responsible for maintaining.

However, it is unknown how they would be tested and whether any memorials would be required to be set down.

Officers will now enter negotiations with the Chancellor of the Diocese of Chichester over the move.

A faculty from the church is required before any work can be undertaken.

It is also hoped the relevant parochial church councils would share the cost of the work.

Legal services manager David Edwards told cabinet Rother's potential liability in closed churchyards was unclear but in practical terms the council has a duty to render closed churchyards safe.

Members also considered a report from the local government Ombudsman on the mass laying down of headstones.

They were told Rother met a number of the recommendations detailed in the report and has acted in a "proper, diligent and compassionate manner."

However the council has yet to meet some of the recommendations, including putting temporary supports on suspect memorials and offering a hardship fund.

Director of services Tony Leonard said another mass laying down of headstones was unlikely as the council has worked with local masons to ensure a high standard of workmanship and safety.

He said most of the unsafe memorials dated as far back as the Victorian era and have now been dealt with.

Rother leader Graham Gubby said he believed Rother had "discharged their duty in a sensitive way."

This followed what Cllr Gubby called 'inflammatory' comments from Rye councillor Sam Souster saying gravestones were 'pushed' over that, "would blacken a toe but wouldn't kill anybody."

Cabinet agreed to review the policy but with the current method of safety testing remaining in place in the meantime.