Agenda item

Report of the Bereavement Services Manager and Registrar.

The Bereavement Services Manager and Registrar asked Members to note the performance figures from 1 April 2021 to 31 May 2021 and the comparison to the same period for 2020, highlighting that there was a net decrease of 451 cremations and an increase of 1 NVF cremations year on year.  It was noted there was a total of 287 for the two-month period with the April to May profile breakdown, as fully set out at Appendix 2, showing 87 from Durham, 13 from Spennymoor and 192 from outside of the area.  Members were reminded of the increase in cremations over the last 18 months as a result of the pandemic, however, the Bereavement Services Manager and Registrar noted the numbers in the current year were significantly lower than pre-COVID levels.

Members were asked to note that the number of memorials sold, 54, had increased by 27 in comparison to the same period the previous year, with income being £7,828 more than the comparable period last year.

The Bereavement Services Manager and Registrar noted that, in respect of the Recycling of Metals Scheme, there had been two rounds of surplus nationally in 2020 and a cheque in the sum of £10,000 had been received from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management for St. Cuthbert’s Hospice and another in the sum of £10,000 for Antenatal Results and Choices.  He added that a further round of funding had been announced and the Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Trust had been nominated.

Resolved:

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

(ii)        That the updated position as regards the recycling of metals scheme be noted.