Online availability of books of remembrance
Dear Dudley Council,
I am aware that the books of remembrance for neighbouring local authorities including Sandwell and Walsall are available for online viewing on www.scribeplus.co.uk which is presumably an authorised website that allows public online access to remembrance books similar to those which exist at Gornal Wood Crematorium/Cemetery and presumably at Stourbridge and Halesowen. I am aware that these remembrance books are displayed for public viewing on site, but are only displayed for the entries on that particular day. I feel that displaying these remembrance books online would allow people to view the entries for their deceased relatives and friends whenever they like instead of just on anniversaries, not to mention saving these people the journey to the crematorium - especially helpful for people who have difficulty travelling to the crematorium due to limited mobility or not living locally.
Would it be possible for the Gornal Wood book of remembrance (and any other similar books which exist within the borough) to be displayed for public viewing on the Dudley MBC website or on any other authorised website?
Yours faithfully,
A. Wilkes
Dear Alexander Wilkes,
Freedom Of Information Act 2000 - Information Request DMBCIR:15846
Description : Online availability of books of remembrance
I acknowledge your request for information received on 2017-08-24
20:43:00.
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[1]www.dudley.gov.uk
Our ref: Date: Direct Line: Please ask for:
RFI 15846 7 September 2017 01384 817851 Sharron Andrews
Mr Alexander Wilkes
Dear Mr Wilkes,
Freedom Of Information Act 2000 - Information Request 15846
Your request for information received on 24/08/2017 has now been
considered.
Your request and our response
I am aware that the books of remembrance for neighbouring local
authorities including Sandwell and Walsall are available for online
viewing on [2]www.scribeplus.co.uk which is presumably an authorised
website that allows public online access to remembrance books similar to
those which exist at Gornal Wood Crematorium/Cemetery and presumably at
Stourbridge and Halesowen. I am aware that these remembrance books are
displayed for public viewing on site, but are only displayed for the
entries on that particular day. I feel that displaying these remembrance
books online would allow people to view the entries for their deceased
relatives and friends whenever they like instead of just on anniversaries,
not to mention saving these people the journey to the crematorium -
especially helpful for people who have difficulty travelling to the
crematorium due to limited mobility or not living locally.
Would it be possible for the Gornal Wood book of remembrance (and any
other similar books which exist within the borough) to be displayed for
public viewing on the Dudley MBC website or on any other authorised
website?
We are aware that some crematoria offer the facility for people to view
entries in the book of remembrance remotely and we understand the benefits
this would have for people that cannot attend on the anniversary date.
However, there would be a significant cost to have all of our entries at
both Gornal and Stourbridge Crematorium digitally scanned for display on a
website.
The books of remembrance at Gornal and Stourbridge are our oldest
memorial. Having carried out over 160,000 cremations since both
crematoria were opened in 1960 there would be thousands of entries in the
books that would need individually scanning.
Although entries can only be viewed in the books by visiting the
crematoria, it is possible to have a memorial card which is an exact copy
(hand inscribed) of the entry in the book. Memorial cards can then be
kept at home or sent to people that have difficulty in visiting. Memorial
cards have been available for many years.
Alternatively if for some reason anybody cannot visit on the anniversary
date, an appointment can be made at the crematorium for the book to be
turned to a specific date.
It may be in future years something we consider to do but currently there
are no plans to digitise book of remembrance entries at the moment. If you
would like more information on memorial cards please don’t hesitate to
contact the crematorium office on 01384 813970.
If you have any queries or concerns then please contact me.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request and wish to make a comment or complaint, or request a review of
the decision, you should write to the Freedom of Information Officer at
Dudley MBC, The Council House, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1HF, telephone
0300 555 2345, e-mail [3][Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email].
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply
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ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints
procedure provided by Dudley MBC.
The Information Commissioner may be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
[4]www.ico.org.uk
Most of the information that we provide in response to Freedom of
Information Act 2000 requests will be subject to copyright protection. In
most cases the copyright will be owned by Dudley MBC. The copyright in
other information may be owned by another person or organisation, as
indicated in the information itself. You are free to use any information
supplied for your own use, including for non-commercial research purposes.
The information may also be used for the purposes of news reporting.
However, any other type of re-use, for example, by publishing the
information or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of
the copyright owner.
For information where the copyright is owned by the Council details of
the conditions on re-use can be found on our website at
[5]www.dudley.gov.uk.
For information where the copyright is owned by another person or
organisation, you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their
permission.
Yours sincerely,
Sharron Andrews
Information Governance Officer
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References
Visible links
1. http://www.dudley.gov.uk/
2. http://www.scribeplus.co.uk/
3. mailto:[Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council request email]
4. http://www.ico.org.uk/
5. http://www.dudley.gov.uk/
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