Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent and Registrar

Minutes:

The Superintendent and Registrar, Alan José asked Members to note the performance figures from June 2012 to August 2012 and the comparison to the same period for 2011, highlighting that there was a net increase of 39 cremations, 534 with 22 from Spennymoor, erroneously transposed into the row for Staindrop on the breakdown of cremations set out at Appendix 2

 

Members also noted that the number of memorials sold had decreased slightly in comparison to the same period last year, with sales being approximately £7,200.  The Joint Committee noted that a Solicitor from DCC, Sarah Grigor was continuing to work in relation to the prepayment bond and had made application with the Financial Services Agency (FSA) for registration, which was expected to be processed in the next few months.

 

Councillors were pleased to note that following the successful joint bid between Durham Crematorium and South Road Cemetery in obtaining the Green Flag Award last year, the joint bid this year had also been successful, albeit with a high score of 75-79, a great achievement.  Members noted that this was in addition to the award of Gold Star Status in the Institute of Cemetery and Cremation Management (ICCM) Accreditation last year.

 

The Superintendent and Registrar highlighted that during the period when moving from the old to new cremators, much of the time only two cremators were in operation, requiring overtime to be worked to ensure all work was completed.  It was added that the new cremators increased cremation times, due to the more stringent emission controls, would be taken into account when preparing future budgets.

 

The Joint Committee recalled the joining of the Recycling of Metals Scheme and learned that a cheque was received from the ICCM in the sum of £4,000 to the “If U Care Share Foundation”, which was presented to Samantha Taylor of the Foundation by the Chair and Superintendent on 27 June 2012.  Members noted a letter of thanks was attached at Appendix 3.  Members asked as regards the mechanism by which money was given to a particular charity and how that charity was chosen, with Councillor J Marr noting the Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Trust at Willington being a possible worthy recipient.  The Superintendent and Registrar noted that the ICCM accepted a nomination annually and that initially the Chair and Superintendent and Registrar had negotiated as regards the Charity.  C

Councillor G Holland noted the excellent opportunity afforded by the recycling scheme to be able to help charities; however, he added that there was a need to guard the reputation of the Joint Committee and for a clear mechanism to be in place as regards the charity being nominated.  The Chair noted that it should be for the Committee to choose and the Superintendent and Registrar noted that this could be included within his Report at the next meeting of the Joint Committee.

 

Councillors were referred to the Cremator Project update and noted that the project had been completed on time and within budget, indeed with a small underspend of approximately £2,500. 

Members also noted that the independent testing of the new cremators had been carried out by Catalyst Environmental over a two week period in July 2012 and the equipment was showing a 97-99% reduction in the levels of mercury being emitted, meaning Durham Crematorium was fully compliant with the Statutory Guidance issued by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) which would become law on 1 January 2013.

 

The Superintendent and Registrar asked Members to recall the Green Energy Proposals reported to the Joint Committee on 27 June 2012 and note that a Project Team consisting of the current project team, together with experts in the field would be formed in October and an Interim Report as regards utilising waste heat would be brought to the Joint Committee in January 2013.

 

Councillors were asked to note the dates of the Annual Conference of the ICCM, 1 to 3 October 2012, and that the necessary arrangements had been made for the attendance of the Chair and the Superintendent and Registrar.

 

The Joint Committee recalled that last year, a Christmas tree was placed in the waiting room at the Crematorium enabling a facility for members of the public to write a personal tag and place in on the tree, with St. Cuthbert’s Hospice providing the tree, lights, tags and decorations and generating £183.00 from a collection box.  Members noted that St. Cuthbert’s Hospice had again approached the Superintendent and Registrar to place a tree at the Crematorium this year, noting that no other charities had requested to do so.  Members asked how charities would be made aware of this opportunity and the Superintendent and Registrar noted that this had been raised previously, however several other Members noted that given the cost of the tree and decorations in comparison to the amount raised, perhaps only certain charities already ready to place a tree would be interested in doing so.

 

Resolved:

 

That the update report be noted.

 

Supporting documents: