Families 'relieved' as dispute over new rules for Broxtowe cemetery memorials ends
Bereaved families who have been in a ‘long-winded’ battle over a council’s proposal to impose new rules on their loved ones’ graves say they are relieved after the dispute came to conclusion.
Broxtowe Council had been proposing to put in place restrictions on memorial items on graves across its cemeteries due to health and safety and maintenance reasons, but the planned changes prompted significant concerns.
The dispute over whether family members should be allowed to place memorial items and gardens on graves has been ongoing since October 2024, when those impacted started a petition opposing planned tribute restrictions.
Coun Milan Radulovic (Brox All), council leader, called a 12-month suspension on all rules to determine a ‘common sense' approach, but families have been left in limbo ever since due to a number of delays.
The battle came to a conclusion at a meeting of senior councillors on February 3, where new rules, and amendments tabled by families, were approved.
It was agreed memorial items on all new graves must be placed within one-metre of the headstone plinth.
Meanwhile the families managed to get passed a compromise for older or reopened graves, which will not be required to adhere to the new one-meter rule for tribute items and will be allowed to remain as they are.
The council also agreed to hold discussions with families over increasing the number of celebration days, during which a small amount of additional decoration is allowed, including for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) after the meeting the families said they were ‘relieved’ and happy with the amendments.
In a joint statement they said: “We would like to thank Broxtowe Alliance, Independent and all other councillors who have supported us over the past 15 months, and we are happy that this issue has now been resolved.
"We would also like to show our appreciation to LDRS reporter Lauren Monaghan and the press who have continuously supported us in spreading awareness and sharing updates.
“Although some compromises have had to be made, we hope that the new cemetery rules and guidelines will ensure that grieving families have more flexibility in how they choose to remember and honour their loved ones.
“We intend to stay in contact with council and cemetery staff throughout the implementation of these recommendations, and in the long-term to maintain the working relationships we have built throughout this process.
“It’s been a long-winded process, but hopefully lessons have been learnt, and we have shown that it is possible to make a difference and have your voice heard when you are passionate about a local issue.”
A set of ‘common sense’ rules – allowing items within reason – were originally set to be decided in June 2025, but this was deferred to allow more time for discussion between the council and families.
However, a final decision was delayed for the second time in six months following a deferral by the cabinet in December, after council officers failed to complete an equality impact assessment – a tool used to avoid discrimination against people with protected characteristics.
Lindsey Collins, whose son Josh died in 2021 at the age of 19 and is buried in Beeston Cemetery, said at the time she had no trust in the council and considered exhuming her son for cremation due to the ‘constant battle'.
Coun Radulovic said he felt ‘badly let down by officers’ following the delay.
The proposed amendments prompted concern from Coun Philip Owen (Con) at the latest meeting, because the amendments diverged from what officers had previously said was acceptable.
He said: “Has the assistant director of environment had the opportunity to look at and comment on these amendments along with the health and safety officers of this council?
“If cabinet and council agrees to recommendations and ways of working which are not fully signed off by the health and safety professionals then in the event – and it may be an unlikely event, I accept – there is an accident or injury members of this council could potentially be liable to any legal action.”
Coun Greg Marshall (Brox All), council deputy leader, said: “I’ve personally taken a detailed discussion with head of service, particularly around the operational instructions for strimming, and indeed risk assessments and a risk log for this activity at cemeteries.
"I’ve been assured and indeed head of service is assured the proposals within the report will not contradict health and safety advice.”
Coun Marshall added that while the equality impact assessment had raised some concerns over accessibility, ‘the number is low and they will be mitigated on a case-by-case basis’.
He also thanked the families, who form part of the Friends of Broxtowe Cemeteries group, for ‘conducting themselves with nothing but dignity’.
The proposals were unanimously approved by the cabinet.
The dispute started back in October 2024 in response to the council proposing to start removing and disposing tributes from council-run cemeteries in January 2025.
Documents confirmed rules were in place since at least 2009 and prohibited items, such as fencing, bedding plants, vases, windmills, glass and alcohol, were mentioned in cemetery rules in 2019 and 2023.
However impacted families previously said the authority only updated its ‘Notice of Interment’ forms in 2023 to highlight what items were prohibited, leading to confusion over rules.
The council’s original reasoning for the removal of tribute items was due to maintenance difficulties, health and safety and because the rules already existed, but had not always been enforced.