Shrewsbury Town Council wants to run Emstrey Crematorium

Shropshire's biggest crematorium could stay in public hands, staving off fears it could be sold off to a private firm in a multi-million pound deal.

Members of Shrewsbury Town Council say they want to take over the running of the Emstrey Crematorium.

Shropshire Council bosses said earlier this year they were considering off-loading the Emstrey Crematorium and the town's cemetery in a bid to find ways of saving £65 million over the next three years.

It came after it was revealed a bill of up to £1.5 million would be due to replace crematorium equipment to cut mercury emissions caused by dental fillings, on top of an expected bill of about £600,000 for building works.

Members of Shrewsbury Town Council met last night to discuss the cemetery - and voted unanimously to send an expression of interest to Shropshire Council about taking over the site.

Councillor Alan Mosley, a member of Shrewsbury Town Council's finance and general purposes committee, said: "I am particularly keen for it to remain in public hands because it is one of the services that is critical for people in difficult times.

"It has a very good reputation and it's important that it stays in community ownership. There's an opportunity for the town council to obtain the necessary capital to purchase the crematorium and upgrade the facility and its equipment.

"Obviously there is a potential for grant funding and also significant revenue coming in from the crematorium that would help to finance any loans that are necessary."

The resolution is due to be presented to members of Shropshire Council's cabinet, which will discuss the future delivery of bereavement services in the area at its meeting tomorrow.

Shrewsbury Town councillors fear that if the crematorium is sold to a private company standards could fall.

Councillor Mosley said: "This is an essential service for the people of Shrewsbury and Shropshire and the wider area and it is best kept within community ownership to ensure the highest possible standards."

By Russell Roberts