Cheshire East Council has set out plans for improving and investing in its cemeteries, including those in Wilmslow and Alderley Edge.  

On Thursday 27 March, the council's environment and communities committee approved a cemeteries design guide, which sets the standards for the appearance and services of the 10 cemeteries managed by the council.  

The design guide will be used to develop site management plans for each cemetery, as well as to steer investment priorities, including site expansions.  

Over the next two years, a total of almost £940,000 will be invested in the council's cemeteries. This has been made possible through an environmental charge collected as part of the fees and charges for burial and cremation services. 

Investment will include extending Alderley Edge, Sandbach, and Weston cemeteries, carrying out drainage works in Congleton cemetery and Meadow Brook Cemetery in Crewe, and road surface repairs at Crewe and Wilmslow cemeteries. 

There will also be investment made at Crewe and Macclesfield crematoriums, including to the customer areas.  

Councillor Liz Braithwaite, vice chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, said: "Cemeteries are deeply personal and reflective places, and the adoption of this design guide demonstrates our commitment to maintaining and investing in our sites. 

"We want to ensure they remain welcoming places to visit and that the services they offer can meet the needs of those who engage with our bereavement teams." 

Councillor Braithwaite also added: "Investments have been prioritised based on factors including health and safety, accessibility and conserving the heritage features of the sites. 

"In the context of the council's ongoing financial challenges, we cannot afford to do everything at once, and so the improvements we will be making have been broken down into manageable programmes of work over the next two years." 

The design guide follows the adoption of the council's cemeteries Strategy in February 2024. 

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