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Technical Notes 2026, Issue 97 - Headstone Inspection and Make Safe Programme – Update on Programme and Foundations

  • Report by:

    Ann Davie, Chief Executive

  • TN Number:

    097 - 26

  • Subject:

    Headstone Inspection and Make Safe Programme – Update on Programme and Foundations

  • Responsible Officer:

    Stephen Egan, Team Leader - Streetscene Technical Support

  • Publication:

    This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

Details

  • This Technical note has been written to update Elected Members on the ongoing Inspection and make safe programme for Headstones and Memorials within Cemeteries and Churchyards in East Dunbartonshire
  • East Dunbartonshire has a combination of 11 Cemeteries and Churchyards across the district. Within these locations there are approximately 18000 memorials a number of which are over 100 years old
  • Although the Headstones and Memorials are not owned by the Council it does have a duty of care to ensure that these do not pose any risk to staff working within these locations or indeed those who are visiting. The Council will undertake temporary measures to ensure they are made safe however Lair Holders are ultimately responsible for the full repairs, and they should approach an accredited stonemason to undertake these works
  • Officers have been liaising with specialist contractors regarding both the inspections and make safe programme – all works are now complete within Old Aisle Cemetery in Kirkintilloch and the make safe programme is progressing within Campsie Churchyard and Cemetery
  • The inspection programme is now progressing in Cadder Cemetery – regrettably a significant number of failures at various stages have also been noted at this location
  • Signage highlighting the inspection process has been placed at the entrances to this location, and the Cemetery will remain fully open during the works
  • As part of the identified issues with Headstones and Memorials it has been noted that foundations can be an issue regarding stability – these were historically and are currently installed directly by East Dunbartonshire Council’s Cemetery Team
  • On the basis that it isn’t possible to indemnify these in perpetuity only foundations installed within the last 10 years will be repaired/replaced by EDC staff – anything installed before this period will be the responsibility of the lair holder. This is broadly in line with indemnity periods offered by local stonemasons regarding repairs to memorials
  • An updated Technical Note will be provided once Cadder Cemetery Inspections and make safe works are complete.