Dumfries and Galloway Council should be going "out of its way" to help families affected by headstones blunder

A Dumfriesshire MSP has this week insisted that the council should be “going out of its way” to assist families affected by the headstones blunder.

Politician Oliver Mundell says he sympathises with furious relatives and is now working with Conservative colleague, Councillor Andrew Wood, to have the matter properly heard at the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Mundell said: “I understand the concerns and anger amongst local families and communities at the process and methods that have been used to address safety concerns in our cemeteries.

“This is clearly a sensitive issue and the local authority should be going out of its way to find solutions and accommodate the wishes of families and communities as the existing policy doesn’t seem to be working.

“I am keen to work with Councillor Wood to see what further national guidance and protections can be put in place and I will be seeking advice from the Public Petitions Committee on how his proposals can move forward and whether this is something the Scottish Parliament could look at in more detail.”

At last month’s full council meeting, Mr Wood called on the council to halt the controversial dismantling of headstones in cemeteries across the region.

This came after Sanquhar families made small claims against the local authority over damage to headstones of their loved ones – and an investigation was launched by the Ombudsman.

He tabled a motion, backed by his ward colleague Councillor Matthew Ronnie, saying: “We ask that the present method of dismantling and digging into the lair to erect part of headstone is stopped and that the more acceptable and recognised practice of staking and strapping is adopted until the conclusion of both the Ombudsman’s investigation and the outcome of the petition lodged with the Scottish Parliament.”