Hopes have been raised that Cefnllan cemetery could “become an area promoting biodiversity” after Aberystwyth Town Council passed a motion to push for planting to be allowed on graves.

In a meeting on Monday, 25 October, Aberystwyth councillors passed a motion, put forward by Cllr Lucy Huws, to appeal to Ceredigion County Council to allow planting on graves in the Aberystwyth section of Cefnllan cemetery.

Cllr Huws said it is “only fair” and consistent to allow such planting as it is already allowed in Plascrug cemetery: “A closely manicured grass lawn should not be considered the only grave management option for grave holders.”

She added “clear guidelines as to type of planting” should be adhered to and implications should be in place if not.

Cllr Huws believes this would benefit some mourners, as well as biodiversity and the environment: “It fits with Ceredigion’s policy about fighting the climate crisis. I feel lots of people feel paralysed and not able to act in anyway to deal with the climate crisis.

“But enabling residents to do the little things is very important and enabling people who attend Cefnllan cemetery to do a bit of planting means you’ll have an increase in bees and pollinators – which is very important for our land, the general environment, as well as bringing comfort to the bereaved.”

Since people have been allowed to plant on graves in Plascrug cemetery, Cllr Huws claims biodiversity has increased by 400 per cent.

Cllr Mair Benjamin also raised the issue of the lack of public conveniences in either Plascrug or Cefnllan cemeteries.

Mayor Cllr Alun Williams pointed out that Cefnllan cemetery is outside the remit of Aberystwyth Town Council, but that the council have liaised with Llanbadarn Community Council and that it is “a legitimate thing for this town council to comment on because it’s a facility used greatly by the people of this town”.

Cllr Charlie Kingsbury said he was “completely supportive of the intention behind” the motion, but that he has “consistently abstained” from similar issues on the “basis that it’s outside the council’s remit”.

Cllr Kingsbury asked whether Llanbadarn Community Council has “formally supported” the motion.

Cllr Huws responded: “The clerk said they have discussed it before and decided to support it.

“They are responsible for the lower bit of the cemetery but not the upper bit, which is what we’re talking about now, that is strictly county council managed.

“She seemed to think there was no conflict in it whatsoever.”

While clerk to the council Gweneira Raw-Rees said it is “geographically” outside of the council’s remit, the upper part of the cemetery is the Aberystwyth cemetery, while the lower part is the Llanbadarn and Faenor cemetery.

Cllr Talat Chaudhri said it is “worth making an exception” on voting on issues outside the council’s area when it will have a “clear” impact on the people of the town.

The motion, to ask Ceredigion Council to adopt the new policy, was passed unanimously.