SIX months on and bereaved families say they are still waiting for an apology about the removal of items from graves at Bedwellty Cemetery by Caerphilly council - and they are now set to report the matter to the local government watchdog.

The Argus reported in February how families were left heartbroken after some items had been damaged or removed from their loved ones' graves.

Caerphilly council's lawn grave policy means no personal items such as ornaments, photographs, shrubs and flower pots can be placed on graves there.

It told the Argus this was to make sure there is a consistent approach to the appearance of the plots and that this policy had been in place for a number of years with signs up at its ten cemeteries advising this.

Lisa Huxley from the Bedwellty Church Action Group said families now intend to raise the issue with the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales.

She said residents held a meeting on August 13 but that council officers failed to attend despite being invited.

She said it was decided to allow the council ten days to respond to their concerns before they write to the Ombudsman.

Ms Huxley said: "It's not good enough. The council has had since February 10 to deal with this. It's been agonizing for people waiting."

She said the council has cellotaped signs to graves in the old and new parts of the cemetery asking them to contact the council within 28 days and described this as a bad way of contacting people.

Jason Edwards from Argoed said he was disgusted after three flower pots from his parents' grave were removed and put in recycling boxes.

He said it would be nice for the families affected to have an apology.

"The council should apologise and they should replace the things they have damaged.

"I don't think they've got the right to move people's belongings and just do away with them just because it's going to make it easier for them to cut the grass," he said.

Blackwood town councillor Andrew Farina-Childs said: "I sincerely hope a compromise on this issue can be found as so much heartache had been felt by all the families affected.

"I would like to see an apology be given directly to all the families who have been treated so badly by the council over this issue."

 

 

A CAERPHILLY council spokeswoman said notices have been placed on memorials of graves in the older sections of the cemetery.

She said no contact details for relatives were passed on to the council when it took over responsibility for these graves in 2003 from the Church in Wales.

The spokeswoman said: "Once we have this information, the authority can then engage with those families as part of the consultation process."

She said the council's regeneration and environment scrutiny committee decided that this further consultation should take place with the families.

The results will be reported back to the committee before another report is presented to cabinet members.