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 July 2009 to 30 September 2009 inclusive.  These were 500 (+ 7 NVF), a decrease of 18 (+ 4 NVF) on the same period in the previous year.  The total of 500 (+ 7 NVF) included 321 from outside the area, with the remaining total being 179 for the area.

Memorial Gardens

The Superintendent and Registrar reported that during the period 1 July 2009 to 30 September 2009, the following Vase Blocks and Memorial Plaques had been sold:

Vase Blocks              8

Large Plaques           30

Small Plaques           1

Total                           39

Financial Information (Net of VAT)

Vase Blocks              3,964.65

Large Plaques           9,024.60

Small Plaques           ­­    195.00

Total                       £13,184.25

Influenza Pandemic – Planning

The Superintendent and Registrar asked Members to note that the four additionally trained Cremator Operators were now working to a regular rota and that the Superintendent and Registrar was in regular contact with the Civil Contingencies Unit, Regional Epidemiologist and Consultant in Communicable Diseases.

Conference Report – Bournemouth 2009

The Superintendent and Registrar gave Members a brief overview of the issues raised at the Conference of the Joint Committee of the Federation for Burial and Cremation Authorities and the Cremation Society of Great Britain held in Bournemouth from 6 to 9 July 2009.  The main issue highlighted for Members was that in relation to mercury abatement, the statutory deadline had not changed and remained 31 December 2012.

Update on Staff

Members was apprised of the qualifications obtained by staff from the Crematorium, namely:

·        Mrs Lynne Lawton obtaining an NVQ3 in Business & Administration; and

·        Mr Ian Ramsay obtaining his Certificate in Crematorium Management.

The Superintendent and Registrar added that he was invited to present a paper on the subject of Correct Identity of Cremated Remains to an Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management Conference held in Warwick on 28 September 2009.

50 Year Anniversary

The Joint Committee were reminded that 3 August 2010 would be the 50 year anniversary for the Central Durham Crematorium.  Accordingly, the Superintendent and Registrar was writing a booklet that would contain a contribution from Professor Hilary Grainger, an expert in Crematoria Architecture.

Councillor F Walker asked the Superintendent and Registrar whether any further events were planned.  Members were informed that indeed an anniversary service could be held, with the possibility of a marquee being erected to extend the capacity of the chapel.  Any such events would be publicised via the local press.

Resolved:

(a)       That the Report be noted.

(b)       That the Superintendent and Registrar be tasked with investigating appropriate events for the 50 year anniversary and report progress to the Joint Committee at future meetings.