Decision

That the Corporate Director of Environment, in consultation with the Executive Member for Managing Our Environment, approves North Yorkshire Council’s proposed Closed Churchyards Management Plan.

Reasons for the decision

The Council is required to maintain closed churchyards, and this plan is a harmonised approach across the whole Council area, providing Parochial Church Councils with a clear document outlining the Council’s plan.
Provide a procedural framework to guide the Council in fulfilling its statutory duties in relation to the list of closed churchyards it has maintenance responsibilities for.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option would be not to approve the plan, but this was rejected, because it would not promote a consistent and harmonised approach to the Council fulfilling its statutory duties relating to closed churchyards.