Agenda item

Quarterly Report.

The Superintendent and Registrar presented the report which provided Members with the quarterly update relating to performance and other operational matters (for copy, see file of Minutes).

In delivering the report, the Superintendent and Registrar, Alan José, updated Members on the number of Cremations for the period 1 September to 31 December 2011 with comparisons against the same period in 2010. An overview of the number of memorials sold during the same period was also provided.

In relation to operational matters, the Joint Committee were informed that the interviews for the vacant Cremator Operator post had taken place earlier that day and the successful candidate would be contacted the following day.  It was hoped that the successful candidate would be in a position to commence work within 4 weeks.

Work on replacing the Cremator and the Crematorium Redevelopment Project was progressing well and the Joint Committee were appraised on the progress made.

Following the success of the Tree of Life project, the Superintendent and Registrar suggested that the provision of a Christmas Tree should become a regular feature.  It was noted that St Cuthbert’s Hospice had expressed an interest in being involved with the project on an ongoing basis.

In relation to the production of green energy, Members were advised that an allocation had been placed in the 2012/13 budget in order to carry out a Feasibility Study to look at all options available through which to use the energy produced at the Crematorium, including the generation of electricity to be fed into the National Grid.

In relation to the Tree of Life project, and in response to the Chair, the Superintendent and Registrar clarified that it would be a matter for future consideration by the Joint Committee as to whether an ongoing partnership was established with St Cuthbert’s Hospice or whether other local hospices and charities should be invited to be involved. Councillor D Stoker voiced his support for extending the invitation to other local groups.

In response to queries from Councillor K Thompson and Councillor D Stoker, the Head of Finance (Financial Services), Paul Darby, explained the procurement and tendering exercises which had been undertaken in relation to the Crematorium Redevelopment Project and highlighted that this had been subject to extensive discussion at the time, including liaising with the External Auditors.

Resolved:

(i)         That the contents of this report with regards to current performance of the Crematorium be noted;

(ii)        That the progress and advertising date of the vacant post be noted;

(iii)      That the progress made with regards to the Cremator Replacement and Crematorium Redevelopment Project be noted;

(iv)       That the current situation with regards to the Pre-Payment bond be      noted.