The council plans to allocate a £12.9 million contribution of community infrastructure levy money to build the centre. This is money provided to the council when new developments are built, to assist it in providing new community facilities. The money for the bereavement centre is in addition to CIL money already set aside for leisure, community projects and new infrastructure.
The council is confident within 2 years the bereavement centre, which will provide services to families at or below the market rate, will begin to generate an income for the council. This income helps us fund other community projects and reduces the need to increase Council Tax.
Many local authorities own and operate crematoriums and cemeteries. Because we already own the land, it is proposed the bereavement centre be run "in house" by the council. The centre is also expected to generate 7 new jobs.