Long Term Community Plan 2012-2022 - Hurunui District Council

www.hurunui.govt.nz
Service
Relevant Community
Outcomes
Relevant Issues &
Constraints
Who benefits, and over
what period
Future Funding & Sustainability
Community
Services and
Facilities –
Cemeteries
The Council’s funding of
Cemeteries contributes to
the Hurunui district being:
A desirable and safe place
to live:
• We have attractive well
designed townships
• Communities have access
to adequate health and
emergency services and
systems and resources
are available to meet civil
defence emergencies
• Risks to public health
are identified and
appropriately managed
A place where our
traditional rural values and
heritage make Hurunui
unique:
• People have a range
of opportunities to
participate in leisure and
culture activities
• Our historic and cultural
heritage is protected for
future generations
The Burial and Cremation Act
1964 requires Territorial Local
Authorities to provide and
maintain cemeteries and set
and charge fees for the use of
cemeteries. Residents, and their
families, who opt for cremation
should not have to pay all the
Cemetery related general
costs as their benefit is much
less. Non-residents can also
use the cemeteries but make
no contribution to the general
costs.
There is currently no time limit
on the use made of a burial plot.
The fees charged cover the cost
of maintenance for 60 years after
that the plot becomes a charge
on the Council. The Council also
has to carry the areas that have
been set aside for graves but
have yet to be used.
Because of the infinite life of a
cemetery it is not possible to
recoup the capital costs over
its life. Accordingly, the capital
cost of the plot should be the
economic marginal cost of the
plot that can be estimated by the
current capital valuation from
the Council’s Valuation Service
Providers.
The predominant benefit is to
the those who will be buried
(knowing that their wishes
will be carried out), and their
family and friends, but there is
a benefit to the heritage and
general atmosphere of District
as a whole through the provision
of peaceful, tranquil and
aesthetically pleasing cemeteries.
Benefits from capital expenditure
accrue when burial takes place
and continue for the life of
the cemetery. Benefits from
operational expenditure accrue
when the costs are incurred.
Operational and Capital Costs:
• Interment costs and purchase of
plots are charged as user charges. Any
shortfall in operational costs will be
charged as a District Rate.
• If the Council decides to apply some of
the surplus from the Hanmer Springs
Thermal Reserve, the amount of the
contribution is subtracted from the
District Rate
Sustainability:
• There will be a slight negative effect
on the current economic wellbeing
of those from whom user charges are
educated, and a slight ongoing negative
effect on the economic wellbeing of
ratepayers in general, but this will be
offset by gains in social and cultural
wellbeing.
236