New guidance was issued to local authorities after an eight-year-old boy was killed by a falling headstone in Glasgow in 2015, and Dumfries and Galloway Council said improvements are already being implemented locally, as experience in this work is developing across all Scottish local authorities.
Councillors considered these actions in detail, covering a number of different aspects of the project including communications, listed building consent and the methods available to make headstones and memorials safe.
They agreed that, given the importance of the issue, a further report should be submitted to the next meeting of the Communities Committee on February 3 about the options for headstones and memorials that have been assessed as needing work.
Council leader Dr Elaine Murray said: “The safety of visitors and staff in our cemeteries is of great importance to our council and that is a priority for this project.
“We recognise that communications with families, local residents and visitors needs to be better, especially as this is an emotive issue for people, and so we approved a series of immediate improvements.
“Councillors also want to have a deeper understanding of the different methods available to making headstones and memorials safe.
“A report is coming to the next meeting of the Communities Committee to get that detail which will ensure that the work in the remaining cemeteries is carried out as soon as possible, with sensitivity and care, and we have the assurance that it is in line with best practice.”
