Agenda item

The Superintendent and Registrar, Alan José asked Members to note the performance figures from January to March 2012 and the comparison to the same period for 2011, highlighting that there was a net increase of 32 cremations, though the overall figure for 2011/12 was down approximately 3.6% on last year’s figure.  Members were reminded that the overall of 2,200 was still more than the budgeted figure of 2,040, this amount being a prudent projection factoring in the possible disruption to the Crematorium while the major capital works were being undertaken.  Councillors noted that the death rate had been the lowest recorded and that the approximate 4% reduction matched that of the reduction in the number of cremations.

Members also noted that the number of memorials sold had increased by 35% in comparison to the previous year, accepting that 33% were renewals of those memorials purchased in 2001.

The Superintendent and Registrar noted that as previously agreed, arrangements for the Councillor J Marr and the Superintendent and Registrar to and the Chair of the Joint Committee had been made to attend the Joint Conference of the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities and The Cremation Society of Great Britain being held 2-4 July 2012 at Gateshead.

The Joint Committee learned that the vacancy for the Cremator Operator post had been filled with the applicant being the third choice candidate, the first and second choice candidates being unable to take up the post after it being offered.  The Superintendent and Registrar noted that just prior to the meeting, the HR section had explained that a start date was being arranged for the successful applicant, it being around 7 May.

Members noted the work of Mr Stephen Robson in respect of gardening maintenance, on a voluntary basis thorough a government scheme.  The Joint Committee was informed that Mr Robson had been responsible for the building of the Life and Soul Garden.

The Superintendent and Registrar explained that Mr Stephen Tinkler was approaching 25 years in service at the Crematorium and asked whether the Joint Committee would wish to write to him recognising that service.  The Chair agreed that this would be an appropriate gesture and that perhaps a small gift could be provided.  Councillor N Foster noted that Officers at DCC had been provided with small gifts in the past for long service and that perhaps a small gift and letter could be arranged, at the discretion of the Chair and the Superintendent and Registrar.

Members were reminded of the request from the Agenda 21 Action Partnership in relation to use of the Crematorium Chapel for Interment Services and added that Durham County Council had agreed in principal for Agenda 21 Action Partnership to develop and run a woodland burial site within the South Road Cemetery, which in turn could result in a request to continue to use the Crematorium Chapel in line with previously agreed arrangements.

The Superintendent and Registrar noted that the update regarding the Cremator Replacement and Crematoria Redevelopment Project had been circulated to the Joint Committee and was also attached to the agenda papers.  Members were informed that the first of the new cremators was operational and had been in use today, 25 April 2012 and that the second and third cremators should be on-line by the end of the week and the end of the following week respectively.  Councillors learned that the old cremators should be removed by Friday, 27 April 2012, with the total decommissioning to be complete by 7 May 2012.  The Superintendent and Registrar reminded Members that the works were on budget, as would be confirmed by the budget report to follow and that there was only a slight delay of one week as flue arrangements were more complex than originally anticipated and this required further fabrication.

The Superintendent and Registrar added that the Pre-Payment Bond issues regarding registration documentation for the Financial Services Authority (FSA) were being drawn together by a Durham County Council Solicitor, Sarah Grigor and a further updated would be given at the next meeting.

Councillors noted that as agreed by the Joint Committee previously, a Feasibility Study would be undertaken as regards Green Energy and Members learned that preparatory work was ongoing and a further update would be given at the next meeting.

Councillor J Graham asked whether the cremation figures for Spennymoor, as set out in Appendix 2 to the Superintendent and Registrar’s report, had been omitted.  The Superintendent and Registrar explained that the figures were included within the “Durham” figure, the figure for the area covered by the County Council boundary, those “out of the area” being then broken down further by area.

Resolved:

That the Joint Committee:

(i)         Note the update report in relation to current performance of the             Crematorium.

(ii)        Note the progress with regards to the vacant post.

(iii)       Note the current situation with regards the Green Burial Site.

(iv)       Note the progress with regards to the Cremator Replacement and       Crematoria Redevelopment Project.

(v)        Note the current situation with regards the Pre-Payment Bond Scheme.

(vi)       Note the current position with regards the Green Energy Proposal.

(vii)      That the Superintendent and Registrar, in liaison with the Chair, select             a small gift and write to Mr Tinker recognising his 25 years service.