Agenda item

Quarterly Performance and Operational Report

Report of the Bereavement Services Manager.

Minutes:

The Bereavement Services Manager, Graham Harrison asked Members to note the performance figures from 1 September 2015 to 31 December 2015 and the comparison to the same period for 2014, highlighting that there was a net decrease of 13 cremations year on year.  It was noted there was a total of 724 for the three month period with the September to December profile breakdown showing 214 from Durham, 31 from Spennymoor and 479 from outside of the area.

 

Members were asked to note that the number of memorials sold had increased in comparison to the same period the previous year, and sales had generated £1,738 more than the comparable period last year.

 

The Joint Committee were reminded of the issue of a member of Crematorium staff on long-term sick leave and asked to note that the member of staff had returned to work.  It was added that in order to be able to provide appropriate cover a Service Level Agreement (SLA) had been prepared, for Members’ consideration.

 

Members noted that a member of staff from the Crematorium had been appointed as a Bereavement Services Officer for Durham County Council and accordingly, this had created a vacant Crematorium Operative post at the Crematorium.  Members noted that and advertisement would be placed to recruit to the post, to be advertised internally within the County Council and Spennymoor Town Council initially.

 

The Bereavement Services Manager noted the Crematorium had received the Green Flag Award in 2015, awarded four years in a row and a submission would be made for the 2016 award accordingly.

 

Councillors were updated in respected of the recycling of metals scheme and noted the presentation by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to Antenatal Results and Choices of a cheque in the sum of £4,321.  Members noted information as regards the next round of funds, and that the next nominee from the list of organisations would be contacted in due course.

 

The Joint Committee noted that for the fifth year running it had been agreed for St. Cuthbert’s Hospice to be allowed to place a Christmas tree at the Crematorium in 2015 to allow people to write a personal message and place it on the tree with a bauble, leaving a charity donation.  It was noted that St. Cuthbert’s Hospice had raised £200.07 and had also asked permission to have a similar tree placed at the Crematorium in 2016, with no other organisations having approached the Crematorium in this regard.

 

Members were asked to recall that at the September meeting of the Joint Committee, it had been agreed to progress with works to replace canopies.  It was explained that that delays in procurement and the poor weather meant that the works would now commence 28 March 2016 and were scheduled to be completed by 8 August 2016.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)          That the current performance of the Crematorium be noted.

(ii)         That the Service Level Agreement with Durham County Council’s      Facilities Management Team for the cleaning services be agreed.

(iii)       That the application for the Green Flag Award 2016 be noted.

(iv)       That the updated position with regards to the recycling of metals scheme     be noted.

(v)        That the provision of a Christmas tree in 2016 by St. Cuthbert’s Hospice      be agreed.

(vi)       That the progress of Phase 3 canopy replacement works be noted, with      work due to commence 28 March 2016.

 

Supporting documents: