Fife Council backtracks on plan to charge for broadcasting funerals

Fife Council has backtracked on its plan to charge people for streaming funerals online during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The service was introduced last year to provide support to families and friends who were unable to attend funerals while restrictions were in place.

Costs were being absorbed by the local authority until the end of this financial year, but it had planned to bring a £45 charge for families to use the service from next month.

It has now emerged that senior councillors were not made aware of the plan until it emerged this week.

The council has confirmed that the service will remain free for as long as restrictions are in place and has apologised for any confusion and distressed caused.

Councillor David Barratt, the convener of Fife Council's assets and property services sub-committee, said: "Webcasting was introduced as a service in June following significant investment to support families and friends unable to attend funerals during pandemic restrictions.

"The decision was made for the service to absorb the costs in full for the rest of the financial year.

"Clearly, the hope had been that restrictions would have been lifted by the new financial year, but when the circumstances that led to the decision to provide the service persist, it is right to extend the measure and to offer live streaming free of charge for as long as restrictions are in place."

Mr Barratt added: "As convener of the relevant committee, I have asked for this charge to be removed immediately.  

"The council has received money to mitigate the impact of coronavirus restrictions, and I expect the costs associated with this service to be met by that and not from mourning families.

"As the convenor responsible for this service, I am sorry for any confusion and distress this has caused."