Carmarthenshire Council removes child burial fees

CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council will remove the charge of burial fees for children following a decision by its executive board.
Their decision is in line with many other local authorities in Wales who have revised burial fees in the wake of a campaign by Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris.
The county council is responsible for the management of Ammanford Public Cemetery, on Dyffryn Road.
Members of executive board agreed that abolishing fees for children, including stillborn children and those up to and including the age of 18, would enable all families regardless of financial means to bury their child without adding undue stress at an already difficult time.
Cllr Hazel Evans, executive board member for environment, said: “This move will demonstrate the authority’s empathy towards parents in such circumstances and will lessen the financial strain on families, in particular those that don’t have the means to cover such unexpected funeral costs. It would also prove to be a positive and appropriate response to the recent campaign and Welsh Government’s position on this.”
The recommendation was unanimously agreed by executive board.
· To watch the full debate and access the agenda documents about this discussion at Executive Board, visit the council and democracy section of the council’s website – www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales