BROMSGROVE residents will have a second chance to take part in a special panel, discussing the management of cemeteries and the way bereavement services are dealt with in the district.

The panel was originally intended to convene in 2013, but it has now been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 7 in the new year.

The panel will come together for half a day to give members of the community a voice by gathering their opinions in a bid to understand how people feel about their existing services.

Head of Environmental Services Guy Revans said: “We have moved the panel into the quieter new year period, and so the deadline has been extended for anyone that wants to come along.

“We hope to get enough people for this panel to be the really high quality piece of public engagement we want it to be, to help us understand how the community feels about the cemeteries and crematorium. I would urge interested parties to get in touch, we’re looking for around 30 people altogether to take part.”

The day will also include an introduction at nearby Redditch Crematorium, which tends to be used by Bromsgrove residents, before the panellists are guided around other facilities in the Bromsgrove district including the town’s cemeteries.

Finally the group will sit down to discuss their thoughts and ideas, and feed back to the council to help with its service planning process.

A panel has already been organised on Thursday, December 12 to allow groups such as religious organisations and funeral directors, with specific interests in bereavement services, to voice their opinions.

If anyone has strong feelings on the bereavement services offered by the council and is interested in taking part in the discussion panel, they should get in touch with Ian Gregory or Sharron Kibble at Bromsgrove District Council on 01527 62174.