Agenda item

The Superintendent and Registrar asked Members to note the performance figures from April 2012 to May 2012 and the comparison to the same period for 2011, highlighting that there was a net increase of 11 cremations, 365 with 124 from Durham and 241 from outside of the area.

Members also noted that the number of memorials sold had decreased slightly in comparison to the same period the previous year, with sales being approximately £2,000 less.

The Joint Committee were reminded that the vacancy for the Crematorium Gardener / Technician post had been filled with the new member of staff, Mr Lewis Baines, taking up the role on 14 May 2012.

The Superintendent and Registrar explained that Mr Stephen Tinkler was presented with a watch and a certificate recognising his 25 years in service at the Crematorium by Councillor J Marr on behalf of the Joint Committee.

Members were updated as regards the process of Job Evaluation as part of the implementation of new pay and grading structures linked to Single Status.  Councillors noted that staff who wished to appeal the job evaluation outcome; they could do so within 25 days from receipt of their notification letter.

The Superintendent and Registrar noted that Lynne Lawton was presented with a token of recognition of her helpfulness by Funeralcare North East and that Ian Ramsay had now passed the final module of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management Diploma and would be presented with his Diploma Certificate by the President of the Institute in October.  Members were referred to Appendix 5 to the report which contained a selection of some of many letters of thanks from users of the Crematorium citing the excellent levels of service.

The Joint Committee noted that the latest Cremator Replacement and Crematoria Redevelopment Project Update, Number 9, had been circulated to Members via e-mail and hardcopies were made available at the meeting. 

The Superintendent and Registrar noted with some regret that there had been a further two thefts from the construction compound at the Crematorium, with several padlocks being broken and damage to the doors and frame to the Plant Room.  Members learned that electrical components belonging to Norstead Limited, scaffolding belonging to IFZW and an amount of scrap metal had been stolen.  It was added that the Police had made extensive enquires, however, so far they had not been able to trace the culprits.  Members were reassured that the compound area was now free of any materials of value and the padlocks had been replaced with superior items.

The Superintendent and Registrar explained that Durham County Council’s Health and Safety Officer, together with colleagues from the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority carried out a review of the Fire Safety Risk Policy and made several recommendations including changes to the fire safety curtain behind the catafalque door and a requirement for a new fire alarm panel and slave panel to be sited next to the main doors to the building.  It was noted that the cost of which would be charged to the revenue budget, with sums being drawn from the major works reserves if not covered by corresponding under spends elsewhere during the year.  Members also noted that water heaters in the public toilets required replacement in order to comply with health and safety regarding Legionella, with the sum being met from the maintenance budget.

The Joint Committee also noted that upon receipt of a complaint from a member of the public as regards the disabled toilets, advice was sought to ensure the facility met with requirements.  Members noted that estimates were being sought for the works and the cost met by the maintenance budget.  Councillors were reminded that during the 15 months of the major works taking place, very few complaints of any sort had been received.

The Superintendent and Registrar explained that a number of Funeral Directors and members of the Clergy had noted the improvements to facilities, such as toilets, private vestry and room containing the Book of Remembrance. 

In addition, a Funeral Director from the area (Stuart Wright) had written to the Superintendent and Registrar in this regard and a response was given, both set out within the agenda papers.  Members noted that the main points related to the relatively small size of the Chapel, the position of the Book of Remembrance, the height of the entrance doors, the old Chapel of Rest being used as a possible overflow from the main Chapel subject to removal of the existing doors and improvements to the toilet facilities.  The Joint Committee were informed that in order to best determine the requirements of users of the Crematorium, a survey of the existing facilities would be carried out at the opening of the new Crematory in September.  Members noted that Funeral Directors, Clergy and Funeral Celebrants would be able to give their views as regards improvements and feed into an updated Asset Management Plan to be brought back to Members at a future meeting.

The Superintendent and Registrar added that Durham County Council Solicitor, Sarah Grigor was still working with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as regards the Pre-Payment Bond scheme, the scheme currently remaining unimplemented. 

Councillors noted that as previously agreed by the Joint Committee, a Feasibility Study would be undertaken as regards Green Energy and a Project Team, including experts in this field, would be formed in August/September 2012 to explore the possibilities that may allow further use of the waste heat, with an interim report to come back to the Joint Committee in January 2013.

The Chair thanked the Superintendent and Registrar and asked Members if they had any questions.

Councillor J Graham asked whether any future improvements that were proposed would be subject to a formal Tender or would be carried out by the County Council’s Direct Services.  The Superintendent and Registrar noted that indicative costs would be sought in the first instance then reported back to the Joint Committee for Members to then decide upon.  Councillor N Foster noted that works would be carried out in the most cost effective method, concurred with the comments made by the Funeral Directors as regards the room containing the Book of Remembrance and added that it may be worth looking at proposals of green energy after the new cremators have been operating for a year.  The Superintendent and Registrar noted a single cremator generated sufficient heat to be used by the Crematorium and Members would be presented with options for the use of the additional heat at a future meeting.

The Chair added that, at various conferences, he and the Superintendent and Registrar had witnessed demonstrations of electronic Books of Remembrance, some with swipe card technology.

Councillor J Graham noted that Appendix 2 to the Superintendent and Registrar’s report still did not separate out the “Durham” and “Spennymoor” figures.  The Superintendent and Registrar noted that this was the case, with the figures having been recorded for that period such that they were reported together. 

It was added that now figures were recorded separately and the appropriate figures to be given for the period June 2012 onwards.

Resolved:

That the update report be noted.