AN additional £100 charge imposed on a family to have their mother cremated in Redditch, because she didn’t meet the ‘discount’ requirements, has now been withdrawn.

Geoff Blundall was left angered when he was told his mom wasn’t eligible for the regular ‘discount’ applied to residents as she had been a non-resident for three years.

Mr Blundall explained to the council’s bereavement services that his mother Lillah lived in Redditch for 96 years before being forced into a dementia home in Stratford-upon-Avon, where she died aged 99 on October 24, and wanted her ashes next to her husband Jack at Abbey Cemetery.

But he was told that “having lived outside the borough for three years would mean that unfortunately on this occasion our normal cremation fee applies”.

His story featured on the Advertiser’s front page this week with Mr Blundall calling the charge “unfair”, while cllr Brandon Clayton questioned the lack of “discretion”.

After reviewing the case, the bereavement services have reversed the additional £100 fee.

Mr Blundall, 69, said: “I was told this morning that they had backtracked on the decision.

“It is good news. It is no consolation but rights a wrong.”

Increased charges for non-residents were approved by councillors in January, but cllr Debbie Chance said the policy was passed to allow exceptions in cases like Lillah’s.

Cllr Chance, portfolio holder for local environment, said: “My condolences go to the family at this difficult time.

“I would like to say that if we had the full facts originally the family would have been given the Redditch Residency discount.

“The family have now been offered this as a goodwill gesture.

“When the policy around this was formed discretion around situations like this were discussed and agreed.

“It's a shame that it has come to this and the full information that was given to the press wasn't shared with our officers.”