Agenda item

Report of the Bereavement Services Manager.

The Bereavement Services Manager referred Members to a report relating to a Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Review of Crematoria Provision and Facilities (for copy see file of minutes).

The Joint Committee learned that the DCLG were consulting in terms of crematorium provision and facilities, contacting crematoria providers, Local Authorities, Faith Groups and that the consultation would run from 16 March to 26 May 2016.  Members were referred to Appendix 2 of the report which set out the questions put by the DCLG and the draft responses to 22 of those questions, those specific to providers of crematoria as set out at Appendix 3.  Councillors noted responses included information in terms of capacity, the different religious groups that had used the facility, and issues such as the ability to change the iconography within the crematorium and the ability to accommodate small groups of mourners to witness committal of the coffin.  It was also noted that all staff followed the County Council’s policies and procedures, including an Equality and Diversity Policy.

Resolved:

(i)       That the Members of the Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee note the DCLG Review of Crematoria Provision and Facilities.

(ii)      That the Members of the Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee note the responses to the consultation questions as set out at Appendix 3 to the report.