Agenda item

·        Fees and Charges 2011/2012.

The Head of Finance, HR and Business Support referred Members to the report setting out the proposed Fees and Charges 2011/12 for the Central Durham Crematorium (for copy, see file of minutes).

Councillors noted that the Head of Finance, HR and Business Support had worked in conjunction with the Superintendent and Registrar in producing the proposed fees and charges, and that the VAT increase had been applied to those fees that did not fall outside of the scope of VAT.  An example given to Members of an area that did incorporate an increase to cover the rise in VAT was that of the costs for memorials.  Members learned that, whilst a small increase had been proposed for the cost of adult cremations, there was no increase in the under 16 year old cost, and the fees charged by Durham Crematorium were still the lowest within the area.

Councillor A Hopgood asked if the fees charged were sufficiently lower than other nearby facilities, should there be an increase to be more in line with nearby facilities and yield a higher profit.  The Superintendent and Registrar explained that whilst the fee for cremation incorporated the £50 environmental surcharge and £70 for the medical fee it was still important to offer a value for money service and an increase in fees whilst major works were being carried out may not be appropriate.  Councillor G Holland suggested that the Durham Crematorium could advertise itself as “high quality, low cost”.  The Superintendent and Registrar noted that there were resources that could be used to advertise if competition pressure from the Wear Valley Crematorium materialised.  The Chair noted that the healthy level of reserves showed that the Durham Crematorium was able to offer a high quality, value for money service whilst still maintaining a profit.  Councillor N Foster believed that the value for money service provided was excellent and that it may be appropriate to look again at the fees and charges after the cremator replacement and major works had been completed, in order to reflect the quality of the new facilities.

Resolved:

(a)         That the Members of the Central Durham Crematorium Joint                                         Committee note and approve the proposed Fees and Charges effective                   from the 1 April 2011.

(b)         That the Members of the Central Durham Crematorium Joint                                         Committee approve the increase in pricing for memorials and insert to              the Book of Remembrance in line with the VAT increase and that this is                      implemented with effect from 1 February 2011.

(c)         That all approved Fees and Charges are incorporated into the 2011/12                      Budget.