A proposal to increase charges at Pembrokeshire’s crematorium has been deferred for further scrutiny.

Cabinet member for finance Clr. Bob Kilmister said that the impact of austerity had resulted in the council’s public protection service “possibly operating at risk,” in his opinion.

He said that there was a possibility that profit from the crematorium could be used to supplement this service but scrutiny by the policy and pre-decision overview and scrutiny committee was required.

At its meeting on Monday (July 1) cabinet approved his recommendation to defer the matter until that had taken place.

The plan, following public consultation last year, was to increase cremation charges in line with the Welsh average from £595 to £684 for a weekday service before 4pm and from £811 to £900 on a Saturday.

Clr. Kilmister, presenting the agenda item on behalf of Clr. Cris Tomos who was absent, said that the crematorium facilities were too small for many of the funerals held there and this needed to be addressed.