Among These Benches... One Is Not Like the Others

Having looked at the benches shown in these pictures, I am struggling to understand how the council's stated policies and procedures are being applied consistently. Several of the benches appear to be different in style, design, materials, inscriptions, and overall appearance, yet all seem to have been permitted in the same area.

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To be absolutely clear, I have no issue whatsoever with any of these benches. In fact, I think it is wonderful that families have chosen to place memorial benches in memory of their loved ones. These tributes are clearly important to those families and add personal meaning to the location.

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My concern is not with the benches themselves, but with what appears to be a selective approach by the council when making decisions. If policies and procedures exist, they should be applied fairly and consistently to everyone. Looking at the variety of benches already in place, it is difficult to understand why some requests are approved while others are challenged or refused.

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This creates the impression that decisions are being made on a case-by-case basis without clear, transparent, and consistent application of the stated rules. That perceived "pick and choose" approach is what I find frustrating, rather than the memorial benches themselves, which I fully support as important tributes to loved ones.

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