Agenda item

The Superintendent and Registrar, Alan José, presented a Report relating to the following issues associated with the Crematorium (for copy, see file of minutes). 

50 Year Anniversary

The Superintendent and Registrar reported the hire of a marquee that met with the health and safety requirements as set out by Durham County Council had been arranged.  It was noted that this included a solid floor, glass doors and suitable public toilet facilities.  Members were informed that the Superintendent and Registrar was liaising with Reverend Robert Jagger, Archdeacon of Durham as regards the involvement clergy from the Church of England. 

The Joint Committee noted that the Superintendent and Registrar had made significant progress with the Commemorative Booklet and that a final version would be ready next week.

Memorial Plaques – Garden of Remembrance

The Superintendent and Registrar explained that the specification for the supply and fixing of UK sourced Memorial Plaques had been agreed with the Procurement Team from Durham County Council and the appropriate advertisements for tenders had been published.  It was noted that the closing date for tenders was today, 30 June 2010.

Metal Implants Recycling Scheme

The Joint Committee noted that the metal implant recycling scheme operated by Orthometals had now been in operation for 3 months and the first collection from Durham Crematorium on 15 June 2010 was of 121kg of material.

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

Councillor A Hopgood asked how many companies had expressed an interest in tendering for the Memorial Plaque contract.  The Superintendent and Registrar noted that during his last conversation with the Procurement Team, 3 companies had expressed an interest; however, further tenders may have been submitted since then.

Councillor M Williams asked how Durham Crematorium was paid for the metal implants being recycled. 

The Superintendent and Registrar explained that of the 256 crematoria in the country, 190 operated the scheme with Orthometals and it was noted that the Superintendent and Registrar was the Chair of the North East Committee set up to nominate charities to receive the benefits of the funds generated from recycling the metal implants.

Resolved:

That the Report be noted.