Report slams Kirklees Council over Muslim burial site blunders

A DAMNING report has uncovered sloppy council blunders which have shortchanged it by at least £25,000.

An investigation was triggered after concerns from former councillor Khizar Iqbal about a lease agreement between Kirklees Council and the Muslim Mosque Burial Committee, which rents a private burial site next to Dewsbury Cemetery.

The council’s chief internal auditor found failings on both sides – but could not conclude why the council had not done its job properly.

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He said some issues may have been overlooked by ex-council staff who were perhaps avoiding something possibly ‘perceived as having cultural and community complexities.’

Wednesday’s report found that aspects of the lease – council rent reviews, the Committee having public liability insurance, it registering with the Charity Commission and an agreed number of burial plots – had not been stuck to.

The council has lost around £25,000, and £6,000 in interest, because it did not increase the rent.

For the full story, pick up a copy of this week’s Reporter.