Register Office to address community concerns (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Register Office to address community concerns

January 26, 2006 12:00 AM

Leeds' Muslim community will soon have greater help when dealing with bereavements thanks to a campaign involving Lib Dem Councillors Kabeer Hussain and Javaid Akhtar. A system is currently being devised that will allow Muslim families to proceed with funeral arrangements without having to wait for Registration Officers to give them the go ahead at weekends and Bank Holidays. Council Officers are considering a plan to issue a 'green disposal document' that empowers families to proceed with burial arrangements once doctors have given them the all clear. The announcement comes after an increased number of requests by the Muslim community to the Leeds Register Office about the possibility of extending hours to accommodate Islamic burial rituals.

Councillor Kabeer Hussain (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) said, "I am delighted that the Leeds Register Office has taken steps to put into place a system that will allow the Muslim community to deal with the burial arrangements within 24 hours of a family member's death at weekends and Bank Holidays. Both Councillor Akhtar and I have continued to highlight the problems people face when trying to get a death registered within the time constraints currently in place."

Councillor Javaid Akhtar (Lib Dem, Gipton & Harehills) commented, "Credit has to go the Leeds Register Office and Leeds City Council for listening to the community's concerns. This is a perfect illustration of how a pro-active approach can address an issue that has been a major obstacle to the Muslim communities across Leeds."

Notes to the Editor:

1. Council Officers are looking at possibility of providing this service on a partnership basis with the Muslim community.

2. Local Mosques are being asked to put forward reliable people who can be voluntarily on call to issue a disposal certificate in order to release a body from hospital.

3. All nominated persons will be interviewed and subject to passing the interview will be trained by staff at the Register Office.

4. It is hoped that a pool of people can be set up and that they can provide this service on a regular basis.

5. All Mosques have been asked, were possible, to recommend a joint candidate with a neighbouring Mosque.

6. The contact for any nominations is Steve Coupe , Superintendent Registrar, Leeds Register Office, (0113) 247 6707.

The views in this Press Release are those of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and not necessarily those of Leeds City Council, its Officers or of the Liberal Democrat Party.