Memorial benches - conditions of sponsorship

Memorial benches are available in various locations across the city including local authority managed cemeteries and predetermined locations at Sunderland seafront.                            

1. The charge for sponsorship of an existing bench includes:
   • Plaque and inscription
   • Remedial works to bring bench to standard
   • Contribution to a 5-year maintenance plan. Please note: the fee payable covers the sponsor of the memorial bench for a 5-year period only.
2. The charge for sponsorship of a new memorial bench includes:
   • Supplying a memorial bench
   • Plaque and inscription
   • Base and installation
   • Contribution to a 10-year maintenance plan. Please note: the fee payable covers the sponsor of the memorial bench for a 10-year period only.
3. Payment of appropriate fee is to be made upon receipt of your invoice, within 30 days. Failure to pay within this period will cancel your application.
4. The lease owner should notify the council of any change of address or contact details to ensure accurate records are maintained.
5. A single, or double plaque for an additional fee, is permitted on each allocated bench and the council reserves the right to prohibit any inscription or design which is considered to be inappropriate or offensive.
6. In some cases, existing street and park benches maybe be sponsored. Where possible, the bench maybe replaced with a new bench, or offered as an existing memorial sponsorship opportunity. The Council reserves the right to determine the renewal of existing benches.
7. Benches will not be installed in new locations specifically for memorial sponsorship.
8. In all cases, the council will repaint/stain the seat on a three yearly cycle.
9. No maintenance will be allowed at all by the sponsor, their family or third party.
10. The service life of any public bench is 20 years, at which time the condition of the bench will be assessed.
11. Should the bench be deemed to be beyond reasonable repair due to vandalism, wear and tear or any other cause outside of the council's reasonable control, the council will endeavour to notify the sponsor/representative prior to its removal.
12. The council reserves the right to reposition the seat.  However, should a seat need to be repositioned, it is the objective of the council to reach a prior agreement with the sponsor/representative.
13. An extended sponsorship period of five years is available at the end of the initial sponsorship period and, where possible, the sponsor/representative will be contacted 1 month prior to the end of the agreement when the cost of renewal will be reviewed.
14. At the end of the sponsorship term or if the sponsor/representative does not wish to extend the sponsorship period, the plaque will be removed and made available for collection at Sunderland Crematorium. Any plaque not collected after a period of one month, or where it is not possible to contact the sponsor/ representative, will be environmentally disposed of.
15. No items are to be placed on or around seats and will be removed without notice. Owners will be contacted, where possible, to make arrangements for collection.  Any item not collected after one month following notification, will be disposed of.
16. The council does not permit the placing of, or burial of ashes under benches.
17. The council will not be held responsible for any delay or failure to comply with its obligations under these conditions if the delay or failure arises from any cause which is beyond its reasonable control. This condition does not affect your statutory rights.