Mayor slams 'over-zealous' council rules that allow brides and groom only TWO guests at their register office wedding

Councillor Andrew Geary believes Mk Council is taking social distancing rules to the extreme at its register office weddings and also funerals at Crownhill Crematorium.

Nationally, Covid regulations now allow for up to 15 guests at a wedding and 30 at a funeral.

But Milton Keynes Council is currently allowing only the married couple, two witnesses and the celebrant at wedding in the civic offices' register office.

For funerals held at the council-run crematorium, 10 people are allowed in the Willow Chapel while 17 can gather at a social distance in the larger Oak Chapel.

There are no exceptions for people who are within the same social bubble - for example, a bride-to-be who lives in the same household as both parents, or a son already supporting an elderly parent before a funeral.

Cllr Geary, who is a Anglican Church lay minister said: "I am the first person to advocate being sensible and taking every precaution to stop the spread of Covid-19. But it seems to me Milton Keynes Council is taking it to the extreme.

"I don't understand why the national rules say 15 people are allowed at weddings yet at MK Register Office there can only two guests. Couples getting married are being forced to choose which of their parents to invite - that must be heartbreaking for everyone concerned.

"Wedding and funerals are difficult enough for people in these times, but it seems MK Council is making them even more difficult."

Cllr Geary has spoken to council officer asking if the restrictions on number could be eased to take into account family and support bubbles,

A spokesperson for MK Council told the Citizen: "The national guideline figures set by government are used as guidance, and not all our rooms can accommodate these numbers whilst maintaining social distancing rules. We have set limits on room capacity numbers to keep our guests and staff safe."

She added: "At the civic offices, our Flowers suite for weddings from next month will accommodate up to 12 people, whilst our smaller register office is for four people.

"At Crownhill Crematorium our Oak chapel’s capacity is up to 17 people and the smaller, Willow Chapel is up to 10 people."