Enfield Council Leader Cllr Nesil Caliskan, has written to the Secretary of State for Justice, The Rt Hon David Gauke MP, to urge him to undertake an immediate and full inspection of the privately owned Tottenham Park Cemetery in Edmonton operated by Tottenham Park Cemetery Ltd.
“I find it unacceptable that deep concerns regarding the condition and management of Tottenham Park Cemetery, which are causing considerable distress and alarm to the local community, have not been adequately addressed by Tottenham Park Cemetery Ltd.
"Enfield Council’s limited powers to enforce change are not enough, so I am writing directly to the Secretary of State for Justice who does have the power to send in the Inspectors who can enforce the necessary changes.
“The situation needs to be rectified as a matter of urgency to end the anguish and anxiety this is causing people whose loved ones are buried on this site."
An inspection of the cemetery by Enfield Council identified a number of health and safety concerns posing a potential risk to visitors. Members of the public and the Tottenham Park Charitable Trust have also complained about the management and maintenance practices at the cemetery.
Cllr Caliskan said, “Tottenham Park Cemetery Ltd failed to adequately address these matters but unfortunately Enfield Council has limited powers to force them to act. As a result, we encouraged the Health and Safety Executive – an independent regulator - to take action. Whilst the Health and Safety executive has said it is satisfied, Enfield Council, the Tottenham Park Charitable trust and the local community still have significant concerns about the general conditions and practices in place. Therefore, I am calling on the Secretary of State for Justice to exercise his power and intervene immediately. “