Changed rules on roadside memorials spark concerns

16 hours ago

Sarah Booker-LewisLocal Democracy Reporter

News image — Councillors were told they needed to recognised the strength of people's feelings

Getty Images White and blue memorial flowers tied to a bench — Councillors were told they needed to recognised the strength of people's feelings

Concerns about a two-week time limit on roadside tributes and other memorials have been raised at a meeting in Brighton.

Councillors and a community representative referred to a series of high-profile cases, including the attacks in Israel on 7 October 2023, the discovery of a baby's body before her parents were jailed and the Hillsborough tragedy.

Proposals for a 20-year wait for commemorative memorials were also discussed, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Brighton & Hove City Council's place overview and scrutiny committee noted the report on Tuesday.

Community representative Mark Strong told councillors he was Jewish and spoke about the importance of a memorial in Palmeira Square, Hove, after the Israel attacks.

He said: "That memorial was incredibly meaningful to a lot of people who lost relatives."

He added: "You talk about a sympathetic approach, but you need to recognise people's really strong feelings."

'Teddy bears and flowers'

Conservative councillor Anne Meadows said families of victims of the Hillsborough tragedy did not have to wait 20 years for a memorial.

Labour councillor Theresa Fowler recalled the community grief when the body of a baby, Victoria, was found at the Roedale Valley Allotments in March 2023.

Victoria's parents were later found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.

"Lots of people came," she said. "They left teddy bears and all sorts of things. But after a while it looked awful. The flowers died."

LDRS A man is standing outdoors on a residential street with houses, parked cars and trees in the background. — Community representative Mark Strong spoke about the importance of memorials

Labour councillor Jacob Allen, presenting the policy, said roadside flowers would stay for two weeks under the plans.

Should people want temporary memorials to stay longer, he said, they could contact the council.

He cited the death of a relative at a bus stop where a Brighton & Hove Albion scarf stayed in place for years, eventually causing distress.

Labour councillor Amanda Evans, chairing the committee, said 28 days would be a more sensitive timeline for families experiencing a sudden bereavement.

The policy is expected to be reviewed before it goes to cabinet.

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