A local councillor, who refuses to drop the issue of maintenance in Portadown and Lurgan’s cemeteries, told members in a recent full meeting of council, “I go as a mother – because it’s the only place I can go – and long after I am sitting in this chamber, I will still be going to Kernan cemetery and long after that, that’s where I will be.”
Ulster Unionist councillor Julie Flaherty, who has long been a passionate advocate for the upkeep of the borough’s cemeteries, brought the issue of maintenance again to the chamber floor on Monday evening (July 28).
While recent progress was whole-heartedly welcomed by the councillor she did air concerns that teams were being “pulled” on an ad-hoc basis away from their scheduled work elsewhere.
Of the blitz squad’s work over the last few weeks, Cllr Flaherty said they had done a “spectacular job” but stressed it “has to be maintained”… and as the blitz team are a crew of just 12, it’s unlikely they can be tasked to cemeteries on a regular basis long term.
The councillor told members she has been repeatedly reinforcing the need for a ‘Maintenance Stability Plan’ and to address staffing levels within cemeteries.
However, aware that council were approaching a “critical juncture” on September 1, the councillor asked whether any progress had been made in terms on bringing staff on.
With clear emphasis and passion in her voice, she said: “I have for years – and I know I’m going to be made a cod of for this – but I’m not going to be apologetic about it Lord Mayor, this is so personal to me and it’s so personal to many that I have constantly advocated for our cemetery services, particularly when it comes to staffing and the prioritisation of this service as a standalone service, that’s what I want to see.
“If we come to September and we are down another two staff we are going to have to tell grieving families something different apart from the fact they can’t get the grass cut. I don’t want to be in that position.
“Let me be honest, Lord Mayor, and I know the officers have been so good talking to me about this… I don’t go to those cemeteries, particularly Kernan, as a councillor. I don’t go down there to get my photograph taken at the gate, I can tell you that for certain.
“I go as a mother because it’s the only place I can go and long after I am sitting in this chamber I will still be going to Kernan cemetery and long after that, that’s where I will be.
“This is long term for me and I am not going to let it go. I want something concrete, please before we get to September, before I am asking again for blitz teams to come into that cemetery.”
The councillor informed members that there is a group of “very dedicated” familys, plot owners and grave owners who currently help look after plots.
With this, she added: “And, if I have to get teams of volunteers… I will because I have them and we are already doing it.”
Jonathan Hayes, Director of Environmental Services & Sustainability informed members that his department did prioritise the resource that they had which is why blitz team were deployed.
He said the department “will do that for as long as it takes” to ensure the maintenance is to the standard that members and the public expect.
A resource plan is also currently being worked on associated with both the operational aspects of burials and grounds’ maintenance functions and that plan will be brought forward once ready.
Mr Hayes also offered to arrange a meeting with members in the next week or so to set out their plan and take feedback.
Claire Duddy, Head of Climate, Parks & Sustainability acknowleged Cllr Flaherty’s passion for Kernan Cemetery and explained that just last week there was quite a “comprehensive update” provided to members in Portadown and Lurgan.
Ms Duddy said she was working very closely with HR colleagues to ensure recruitment is moved forward at pace.
“Another advertisement has gone out regarding that and I am also working with recruitment on revising job descriptions so that barriers are removed and we encourage more people to apply,” she said.
Cllr Peter Haire suggested the possibility of brining in seasonal staff and an apprenticeship to help support full-time staff on the ground.
He said: “The staff are working their socks off. It’s not the staff, they just need a hand.”
Chiming in with his own thoughts, Alderman Stephen Moutray added: “Local government around Northern Ireland is really about burying the dead and emptying the bins – neither which we do efficiently, as we stand at the minute.”
“Over May and June we had excessive summer heat and massive growth and cemeteries got out of control. Staff did their best with the cohort they had but long term we don’t want to keep pulling the blitz squad away from streets to the cemeteries.”
He suggested a private contractor may be an option to consider if staffing is “undoable” or if there’s “no will from council”.
