Agenda item

The Joint Committee received a joint report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change and the Corporate Director of Resources and Treasurer to the Joint Committee that set out details of the proposed fees and charges for the Mountsett Crematorium for 2024/25 (for copy see file of Minutes)

The Finance Manager Neighbourhoods and Climate Change highlighted the proposal to increase the fees and charges for the cremations for 2023/24 by £30 which was a 3.92% rise. The price would increase from £795 to £825 which was still the lowest price in comparison to other Local Authorities except Durham which was the same.  He also suggested a mid-year increase to bring the crematorium fees closer to the average cremation fees across the region and to ensure it did not fall too far behind.

Councillor D Bradford in relation to the increase in fees to 3% asked how much an individual cremation cost in the last year.

The Finance Manager Neighbourhoods and Climate Change responded that although it was proposed to increase costs this was not a reflection on a single cremation and included other factors like general inflation pressure.  He added that the cost increase was slightly more than 3%. 

Councillor P Heaviside commented that the cost per cremation would still save people money even with the increase.  He noted that people in the south drove 100 miles for a cremation.

The Finance Manager Neighbourhoods and Climate Change replied that it was also better to consider a midyear increase instead of increasing costs in one lump to £60.  The increase was not only to cover the costs of repairs to the cremator and capital works but also to build up reserves to meet any future costs.  He added that taken everything into account the position could remain as it was or increase the fees and charges in two stages.

The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted that it would be useful to look at the second increase in the September report. As the membership of the Joint Committee had changed over the years potentially making the decision difficult, he thought it would be helpful to include an insight to the history on the reasoning behind the developing gap between crematoriums in the region.  He noted that fees and charges had been frozen for a couple of years that had initially created gaps but at the same time significant investments had been made at the crematorium.  He added that costs per cremation had been affected by the increase in energy prices.  There was a need to provide a good service for the community and confirmed that the fees for direct cremations would not change, prices for early slots in the day would not change and it would only be fees associated with peak time cremations in the middle of the day would change. It was unclear as to what decisions other local authorities would make in April regarding their fees and charges that potentially could widen the gap further making September an ideal time to revisit the topic.

Councillor J Charlton confirmed that the response had put her mind at rest.  She was very proud of the brilliant services offered at the crematorium.  She understood about having to increase the costs as things increased all the time.  She agreed that the Joint Committee would need to think carefully on the second increase that was proposed later in the year.  She did not like the thought of seeing the crematorium become the same as everywhere else on price. She commented that the crematorium got a lot of cremations from outside the area not just because it was cheaper but because the setting was unique which should stay that way. 

Resolved

i)        That the proposed fees and charges at Appendix 2 effective from  

          1 April 2024 be agreed.

ii)       That consideration to a mid-year increase in fees and charges, due to the widening gap between fees at Mountsett Crematorium and the average cremation fee across the region be given.

iii)      That the proposed fees and charges be incorporated into the

          2024/25 budget.