Agenda item

Report of the Bereavement Services Manager.

The Joint Committee received a report of the Bereavement Services Manager which provided a quarterly update relating to performance and other operational matters (for copy see file of minutes).

The Bereavement Services Manager reported that during the quarter 349 cremations were undertaken compared to 388 in the comparable period last year, a decrease of 39. It was noted however that Funeral Directors were experiencing similar trends and could be attributed to the reduction in the death rate over the mild winter period.

Regarding the 2015/16 budget it was noted that this was set at a prudent assumption of 1,230 cremations during the year and had been exceeded by 66. This reflected an overachievement of income of £43,570 in year.

With regard to the sale of memorial plaques it was reported that sales were broadly in line with the comparable period last year, however across the year the number and value of memorials sold represented a year on year decrease of 10 / £3,631.

Moving on to operational matters the Bereavement Services Manager advised that following on from the last meeting the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) equipment had now been purchased and training was due to be carried out shortly.

As discussed at the previous meeting, Mountsett Crematorium would be celebrating its 50^th year anniversary on 23 July 2016. It was reported that the Bereavement Services Manager had drafted an anniversary booklet which was available for members to view and comment upon. Further comments or suggestions regarding the event were welcomed.

The Bereavement Services Manager further reported on the Recycling of Metals Scheme and that a cheque for the sum of £4,444 had been received and would be presented to Derwentside Hospice Care Foundation in due course.

Further details were reported in respect of the Cremation and Burial Conference which was scheduled to be held on 4-6 July 2016 at Stratford-upon-Avon. It was reported that the Vice Chair of the Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee and Bereavement Services Manager would be attending and views were sought on whether Mountsett also wanted to send a representative.

The Bereavement Services Manager then provided an update on the car park extension, advising that work was now completed. It was noted however that a service had taken place earlier in the week and the car park had again overspilled onto the highway.

In conclusion it was reported that, further to discussion and agreement at the last meeting to proceed with the replacement of cremators and the installation of mercury abatement equipment, a tender exercise had now been undertaken and  4 bids had been received. It was hoped that the tender would be awarded next week and further details would be reported to members in due course.

Councillor Temple at this point added that he had found the observation of the tender process extremely valuable and he was confident that a good and competitive tender had been received.

Moving on to arrangements for the 50^th birthday celebration, Councillor Green commented that she was not in favour of the balloon release as they could cause damage and be harmful to animals. Councillor Batey further commented that she to agreed and added the Joint Committee must be mindful of others and think about how this would or could be perceived by those who had had a family member or relative cremated at Mountsett. It was agreed therefore that this idea should not be taken forward.

Councillor Jewell commented that he was concerned that it was getting very close to the anniversary and not all arrangements had been made. He further asked whether the date had been set and all relevant parties notified. The Bereavement Services Manager advised that it was proposed that the anniversary celebrations take place on Saturday 23 July and that funeral directors were aware of provisional date. It was noted that Saturday was a quiet day for the crematorium with very few cremations taking place. In addition it was a good day for the community to attend. It was therefore agreed that the anniversary celebrations would take place on this day.

Moving on discussion took place regarding the upcoming conference and exhibition at Stratford-upon-Avon in July 2016. It was noted that the Bereavement Services Manager and Vice Chair of the Central Durham Crematorium Committee were attending and views were sought as to whether the Joint Committee wanted to also send a representative from Mountsett.

After discussion, the committee agreed that Councillor Plews who was also the Vice Chair of the Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee, attend on behalf of both Joint Committee’s and that a verbal update would be given to the committee at the September meeting.

Regarding the car park extension, Councillor Jewell asked whether there would be any scope to allocate parking bays along the redundant road heading towards the Plough Inn and provide a footpath through to the Crematorium, in order to alleviate parking problems. Councillor Temple suggested that the Bereavement Services Manager reports back to a future meeting with further details and suggestions in line with the options previously submitted to the Joint Committee.

Resolved:

That the Joint Committee note:-

·         The current performance of the crematorium

·         The purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator

·         That arrangements for the 50^th anniversary celebrations be progressed. That no balloon release should take place and that the event shall be held on Saturday 23 July 2016.

·         The distribution of recycling income received to the respective charity.

·         That Councillor Plews, Vice-Chairman of the Central Durham Joint Committee along with the Bereavement Services Manager represent to the Joint Committee at the Burial and Cremation Conference.

·         The current position with regards to the car park extension.

·         The progress with regards to the cremator replacement project.