From burial fees to leisure activities, costs of council services in Dudley to rise
Burial fees, the cost of swimming, hiring halls and some museum activities will all rise as part of a raft of increased charges for council services in Dudley.
They will come into force for a range of bereavement, leisure centre and museum services across the borough from next month.
The rises have been brought in as the authority continues its battle to meet savings of £27million during the next three years.
Dudley Council said increases are in line with inflation and every effort has been made to minimise the rise in cost. Some fees have also remained the same as previous years.
Costs for some bereavement services will rise by up to seven per cent.
The cost of exclusive right of burial will rise from £1,610 to £1,722 for an earthen grave and from £1,809 to £1,935 for a bricked grave.
Cremation costs will rise from £650 to £696.
Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environment and culture, said the money would help fund improvements.
"Burial fees in Dudley remain very competitive and the lowest in the Black Country despite the seven per cent increase while cremation fees have also increased by the same amount this year.
"These increases help to support the council's ongoing investment in the service which has included a new cemetery in Dudley which will open in January and the £1.1 million upgrade of cremation facilities at Gornal Wood Crematorium, while future upgrades of the cremation facilities at Stourbridge Crematorium will also be required in the coming years," she added.
Changes to leisure centre charges will see the cost of an adult swimming session rise from £3.80 to £4 and the price of a session for a junior or pensioner go up from £2.40 to £2.50.
Elsewhere fees for hiring rooms at council venues have also been increased.
To hire the main hall at Dudley Town Hall for a wedding or family celebration on a Saturday night will go up from £653 to £666.
While the cost of renting the main hall at Brierley Hill Civic Hall for amateur boxing, weddings and charity fundraising events will now be £406 Monday to Friday and £468.20 on a Saturday. Prices are currently £390 for Monday to Friday and £450 for Saturday.
Parking fees at Himley Park will also rise with the cost of two hours parking going up by 10p from £1.10 to £1.20.
The cost of some museum activities will rise although admission will remain free.
They include some craft and story-time sessions at the Red House Glass Cone and guided tours at Broadfield House Glass museum.
