Agenda item

The Superintendent and Registrar, Alan José, presented a Report relating to the following issues associated with the Crematorium. 

Cremations

The Superintendent and Registrar reported the number of cremations for the period 1 January 2010 to 31 March 2010 inclusive.  These were 624 (+ 6 NVF), a decrease of 82 (+ 2 NVF) on the same period in the previous year.  The total of 624 (+ 6 NVF) included 416 from outside the area, with the remaining total being 208 for the area.

Memorial Gardens

The Superintendent and Registrar reported that during the period 1 January 2010 to 31 March 2010, the following Vase Blocks and Memorial Plaques had been sold:

Vase Blocks              5

Large Plaques           24

Small Plaques           4

Total                           33

Financial Information (Net of VAT)

Vase Blocks              2,088.17

Large Plaques           5,727.67

Small Plaques           ­­   788.76

Total                        £8,604.60

Independent Testing of Cremators

The Superintendent and Registrar asked Members to note that the Crematorium facility had undergone inspection by the Regulator and had received a “medium” rating for the site, the best level that can currently be achieved.  It was added that the Regulator had reiterated that the Crematorium must have mercury abatement plant and new cremators that meet new regulations, in place by December 2012 and this will be a condition of the Licence for continued operation of the Crematorium. 

Discussions were ongoing between the Superintendent and Registrar and the Regulator as regards the previous registration to be members of the CAMEO scheme should the project slip, which in the Superintendent and Registrar’s view should negate the need for withdrawal of the operating licence.

Annual Conference of Cremation and Burial Authorities

The Superintendent and Registrar informed the Joint Committee that two places had been reserved at the Annual Conference of Cremation and Burial Authorities for the Chair and the Superintendent and Registrar to attend.  Members noted that the Annual Conference was being held at Statford-upon-Avon from 5-7 July 2010 and were asked to approve the booking.

50 Year Anniversary

The Superintendent and Registrar reported the ongoing work associated with the 50 year anniversary of the Durham Crematorium.  Members were informed that the Superintendent and Registrar had spoken with Spennymoor Town Council regarding the hire of their marquee and was speaking with Durham County Council regarding providing catering and additional chairs for the event.

The Superintendent and Register also noted that the Archdeacon had been contacted as regards arranging for attendees from the Clergy at the event.  The Joint Committee heard that an order of service was being prepared in consultation with Local Clergy and Funeral Celebrants.  Members noted that the Chairs of both Spennymoor Town Council and Durham County Council would be invited as would appropriate Chief Officers from both Authorities.

The Joint Committee was informed that the Superintendent and Registrar, after discussions with the Chair and Vice-Chair, had began making arrangements to have a dinner to celebrate the anniversary, to be held at County Hall.  Members noted that this presented an opportunity for Funeral Directors, Clergy, Members and staff to mark the 50 year anniversary and to further enhance the reputation of the Crematorium.  The Superintendent and Registrar added that the National Presidents of the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities and the President of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management could also be invited to help generate positive publicity.

Members noted that the anticipated costs for the 50 year anniversary event were within the allocated budget. 

Funeral Pyres

The Superintendent and Registrar referred Members to a letter recently received from the Ministry of Justice (for copy, see file of minutes) on a recent case regarding funeral pyres and noted that he would update the Joint Committee on any further developments accordingly.      

Memorial Plaques – Garden of Remembrance

The Superintendent and Registrar explained that as a move towards decreasing the carbon footprint of the Crematorium and having sustainable working practices in place, he had began looking at possible sources for the material for the memorial plaques locally from the UK rather than China.  It was noted that this was one strand amongst several moving towards “greener” working practices, such as the OthoMetal Recycling as reported at the last Joint Committee.  Members heard that the Durham County Council’s Procurement Section had been consulted as regards procedures and the Superintendent and Registrar asked the Committee whether he should seek quotations for the supply of memorial plaques from UK based companies, with a new contract to begin in July 2010.

Resolved:

(a)       That the Report be noted.

(b)       That the Joint Committee agree to the Chair and Superintendent and Registrar attending the Annual Conference of Cremation and Burial Authorities in Stratford-upon-Avon.

(c)        That the Superintendent and Registrar be authorised to place the         appropriate adverts for the supply of UK sourced memorial plaques.