THE operating cost of Monmouthshire's cemeteries is to be debated by the local authority this week.

Prior to the election in May, cemetery issues and burial fees were discussed and debated at a variety of meetings of the council and it was recorded that the service operates at a considerable deficit.

Councillor Giles Howard said, "Providing cemetery facilities to residents can be an emotive and sensitive subject especially as no single organisation has overall responsibility for providing the service.

"In certain areas of Monmouthshire the provision has been supplied by both the church and at town council level, notably in Caldicot and Usk. Added to this a private operator is offering a green burial at a site on the outskirts of Usk.

"Additionally, the county council has maintenance responsibilities at either closed, full or reserved locations in Monmouth, Abergavenny and Usk; and currently operates open cemeteries for new and existing graves in Llanfoist, and Llanelly Hill."

The annual review of the fees and charges for the financial year 2013/14 proposed that a 2.5 percent rise should apply to most of the charges levied by various council service areas, except for those that come under statutory provision.

However members felt that a 2.5 percent rise might be inappropriate or unrealistic and chose to conduct a closer scrutiny into burial provision.

Currently Monmouthshire subsidises the cemetery service to the tune of £237,380.

Councillor Howard added, "Although burial fees and other charges generate an income of £112,126, these charges would have to be tripled to enable an overall break-even position.

"By far the largest charge can be attributed to grounds maintenance at £303,636.

"In effect this means that council taxpayers are subsidising each burial by approximately £1,380."

The council has compared its charges to those applied in other burial authorities in Wales and, with the exception of the crematoria, no council cemetery service had covered its costs.

"While acknowledging that it would be impractical for Monmouthshire to bridge the difference between income and costs within a short time period, it would be desirable to bring this council's charges in line with other burial authorities and in doing so, start to reduce the gap," said Councillor Howard.

"The burial charges made by Monmouthshire are shown to be the second least expensive in the region.

"In particular, the exclusive right of burial fee is very much lower and it has been suggested that increasing this fee by £300 would bring Monmouthshire in line with other Gwent authorities, yet allow this council to remain second least expensive.

"This proposal would, based on current burial rates, return to the service an approximate extra £30,000 and would assist the overall position."

The report is to be discussed by members of the meeting of the Strong Communities Select Committee.

Other subjects under discussion include the digitisation of cemetery records; support for the establishment of a Friends of Old Hereford Road Cemetery group and a proposal to return Llanfoist Chapel of rest to its original use and allow it to be opened on days where funerals take place to afford a place of quiet contemplation.

Monmmouthshire County Council and Llanelly Community Council are also to investigate ways and means of providing more parking facilities at Llanelly Cemetery.