MUNICIPAL Buildings bosses have been criticised by a senior councillor for not moving faster to organise the streaming of funerals from Greenock Crematorium.

SNP group leader Elizabeth Robertson took officials to task at a full council meeting, saying she feared the lack of movement on the issue had led to 'reputational damage' for the local authority.

Earlier this year, more than 1,000 people signed a petition to Inverclyde Council claiming it was one of the only places in Scotland not to offer live streaming of services.

It’s now been more than a year since funeral restrictions were first introduced amid the pandemic - and there is still no technology in place at the Greenock Crematorium.

In a report to elected members, officers state they are currently engaged in a tender process to deliver an 'enhanced and long-term service' for streaming funerals.

But Cllr Robertson demanded to know why it had taken so long to sort out.

She said: “We have not been agile enough with funerals.

“It has all been left to families and funeral directors.

"I wonder what we can do to avoid this again because I think it has probably led to reputational damage for us.

“In the grand scheme of all the things we have done [during the pandemic], it doesn’t seem a huge thing to have been able to get right."

The latest relaxation of restrictions means that a maximum of 50 people can attend a funeral service in Scotland.

Regeneration and planning chief Stuart Jamieson acknowledged there was no excuse for the council not having live streaming in place at Greenock but said that efforts were being made to address this.

Mr Jamieson said: “I cannot defend the situation we are in.

"This has been outstanding for some time and we are removing barriers to allow it to happen.”

Councillor Robertson added: “I think it’s regrettable where we are.”

The introduction of a streaming service will form part of a major investment in the crematorium, which includes replacing the cremator.

The job has been put out to tender and it's hoped a contractor will be identified soon.

Mr Jamieson insisted his team were attempting to 'expedite a solution' and get the required technology in place as quickly as possible.

It has also been confirmed that the council’s intention is to keep the streaming service in place even after the pandemic has passed.