Agenda item

Report of the Bereavement Services Manager.

The Bereavement Services Manager, Graham Harrison asked Members to note the performance figures from 1 April 2017 to 31 May 2017 and the comparison to the same period for 2016, highlighting that there was a net decrease of 6 cremations year on year.  It was noted there was a total of 375 for the three month period with the April to May profile breakdown showing 115 from Durham, 26 from Spennymoor and 234 from outside of the area.

Members were asked to note that the number of memorials sold was the same when comparing to the same period the previous year, however, those sales represented an increase of income, being £3,007 more than the comparable period last year.

The Joint Committee noted that the vacant Cremator Operative post had been advertised internally at both Durham County Council and Spennymoor Town Council and interviews had been held on 13 June 2017.  The Bereavement Services Manager explained that the previous Trainee Cremator Operative had been successful and would take up the post shortly.

The Joint Committee noted that the usual arrangements as regards attendance at the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) Learning Convention and Exhibition, to be held 25 to 27 September 2017 in Oxfordshire, had been made for the Bereavement Services Manager and the Chairman.

Councillors noted that the Recycling of Metals Scheme had generated a sum of £5,000 for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS) and that as there had not been the opportunity to present the cheque due to the election period, arrangements would be with the Chairman in this regard.

Resolved:

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

(ii)                                          That the appointment with regards to the Crematorium Operative be noted.

(iii)                                         That the attendance of the Chairman and the Bereavement Services Manager at                                 the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) Learning                                     Convention and Exhibition 2017 be noted.

(iv)                                         That the distribution of recycling income to the respective charity be noted.