Torbay Council is keeping its controversial memorial bench policy unchanged.
Opposition councillors had asked the Conservative administration to reconsider the policy, which charges families more for a bench in prime locations such as seafronts and parks than for benches in less prominent spots.
The overview and scrutiny board, led by shadow cabinet leader Swithin Long (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe), asked the all-Conservative cabinet to change its mind and introduce a single zone with a single price.
Under the current arrangement, people who want benches in tourist hotspots pay the highest charges.
But the cabinet decided that a single price would mean averaging out the costs, which would force some families in less scenic areas to pay more than they expected for a memorial bench in their neighbourhood.
The meeting also heard that there had been no fixed policy before Cllr Adam Billings (Con, Churston with Galmpton) devised the new formula.
“Every council needs a Cllr Billings!” said Nick Bye (Con, Wellswood).
Cllr Billings said the cabinet's position remained unchanged, and that a single price would limit the range of affordable choices for local families.
He also said the cost of a plaque on a shared bench was lower than before.
“The focus has been on keeping costs down,” he said. “The fairest approach is to maintain our policy.”
But an angry Cllr Long hit back: “I don’t think residents expected that this council would profit from residents’ grief.
“This creates a two-tier Torbay in charges and penalises residents who happen to live in tourist areas. It is unethical for the council to build its place development on the back of grieving families.”
Torbay Council Defends Two-Tier Memorial Bench Charges