Cemetery "council speak" slammed by Liberal Democrats

8.15.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 14th Oct 2007

Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: Image by ''Atelier Joly''

Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrats today expressed their frustration at the misleading use of language by Council officers in discussion about the re-opening of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Officers have told the Leader of the Libdem group, Cllr Stephanie Eaton that the re-opening of the park was "an option", but have also stated in a press release that "there are no plans to re-open the Cemetery Park".

Cllr Eaton queried this apparent contradiction with the Borough's Chief Executive. He replied by saying "I've read the press release and I don't believe that contradicts what you've been told. Officers are looking at a number of options but that work isn't complete and there's nothing at the moment that could be described as a plan or intention to bring any particular one of them to fruition. Hope that explains it adequately."

In response Cllr Eaton said: "I can't believe this statement. We are told that there are no plans to re-open the Cemetery Park, but there is an option to have a plan! How can local residents trust the Council when we are given deliberately misleading statements like this? The politest way I can put it is to say that this is just an example of "council speak"."

On the actual issue of the 'option' of re-opening the Cemetery Park, Cllr Eaton commented:

"Many people have spoken to me of their desire for a local cemetery. It is difficult for those families who have to travel a long way to honour and remember their loved ones. But re-opening Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park would damage a unique nature reserve and require the relocation of thousands of historic graves. We do need some provision, possibly not in the Borough, for local people to bury their dead. If East London can find the space for a huge Olympic Park surely there is a place for a peaceful, dignified and accessible multi-faith cemetery?"