A ROW over changes to cemetery rules in Studley is a step closer to being resolved.
Studley Parish Council has agreed to form a separate committee with members of the Studley Residents Against New Graveyard Rules action group, to come to an agreement on regulations for the village cemetery.
It follows an on-going dispute between residents and councillors over people no longer being allowed to place solar lights, glass items, scarves and flags, windmills or any item which requires a spike to secure it in the ground, on or around graves.
Karen Brown, who formed the action group, handed over a petition to councillors at a meeting on Tuesday (December 2) which she said had been signed by more than 1,170 residents.
She asked the council to review their rules and give Studley an ‘early Christmas present’ by revoking them.
Chairman Julian Ingram said the council had a responsibility to listen to residents’ views and make sure all citizens were represented.
He added: “A working party seems like the best solution.”
Coun Paul Beaman said the petition clearly showed what residents would like and the last thing the council wanted was to have a parish poll, which could cost an estimated £3,000.
Councillors voted unanimously to forming the committee which will be made up of three action group members, to be decided, and three councillors.
