Powys County Council will begin a comprehensive inspection programme of memorials in its cemeteries next month.

The initiative aims to ensure the sites remain safe and accessible for visitors, the council has announced.

Inspecting contractors will identify memorials in one of three categories:

• Category 1: unsafe and in need of immediate attention

• Category 2: unstable but unlikely to cause an immediate health and safety risk

• Category 3: stable and no action required

A Category 1 memorial will be laid down or made safe by other means at the time of inspection. A red notice will be placed on the memorial/grave advising that the memorial is unsafe and providing details of how to contact the council.

A Category 2 memorial will have an amber notice placed in a suitable position on the memorial, stating that the memorial is unsafe and how to contact the council. If after the expiry of six months from the date of inspection the memorial has not been fixed it will be laid down or made safe by other methods as appropriate.

Information signs have been erected on the entrance gates of the cemeteries where the inspections will take place. The council will not be attempting to identify grave owners.

The council manages 18 cemeteries across Powys.

Cllr Richard Church, Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys, said: “Specialist staff will be carrying out inspections as part of a county programme and any memorial that is identified at risk of falling will be laid down or made safe by other means.

“We appreciate that many people care about the memorials to their loved ones and we want people to be aware that these inspections are underway.

“We have to be sure that our cemeteries are a safe place to visit and any memorials that are potentially dangerous are made secure.”

More information on the inspections is available from the council’s Environmental Protection Service by emailing [email protected] or calling 01938 551300.