Walsall Council has issued a statement after upset residents complained about enforcement activity at Streetly Cemetery. The authority said it began routine inspections earlier this year.
Residents Report Removal of Grave Surrounds
Last week, the leader of Walsall Community Independents, Councillor Aftab Nawaz, received around a dozen reports from 'distressed' residents whose grave surrounds had been removed by the council. The reports came from loved-ones of those buried in the Muslim area of the Little Hardwick Road site. Nawaz was unaware if removals had been carried out in other sections.
Council Responds to Allegations
Councillor Elaine Williams, leader of Walsall Council, said the action is 'not a new policy and not targeted at any one group'. The council's policy states that small items such as vases can be placed directly in front of the headstones at the lawn cemetery but must not spread over the length of the grassed grave.
Councillor Nawaz claimed that the policy had not been enforced for many years, and it became acceptable for families to add borders and memorials. He said that the items do not harm other cemetery users and called on the council to immediately stop the enforcement action.
Routine Inspections and Enforcement
Walsall Council said it began routine inspections at its cemeteries in February 2026. Grave owners are given a month's notice to remove items which do not comply with the rules. Where items are not removed, they are taken to a storage facility for families to collect.
Councillor Williams added: 'This is not a new policy, and it is not targeted at any one group. The work forms part of routine inspections and enforcement that applies across our cemeteries. Where graves do not comply with the regulations, families are contacted and given time to act before any items are removed.'
Council Emphasizes Fairness and Respect
'It is important that residents are reassured that the council is applying the same rules fairly, consistently and respectfully, and in accordance with the law. We understand this is a sensitive issue for families, and we fully respect the importance of remembering loved ones in a personal and meaningful way. At the same time, the council has a duty to ensure all cemeteries are safe, accessible and maintained consistently for everyone who visits,' she said.
