Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent and Registrar:

Report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhood Services.

Minutes:

The Joint Committee considered a report of the Superintendent and Registrar which provided Members with the quarterly update relating to performance and other operational matters (for copy see file of minutes).

 

Members noted the performance figures from September 2012 to 31 December 2012 which highlighted that there was a net increase of 52 cremations on the comparable period last year.

 

Performance was further reported in respect of the sale of memorials sold during the same period and noted that there had been a small decrease of 6 memorials sold in that period, which was equal to £4061.02.

 

Moving on to report operational matters the Superintendent and Registrar reported that the DCC Solicitor had now submitted the application for FSA registration in relation to the Pre-Payment Bond scheme. It was noted that this application had now been approved and further proposals relating to this scheme could now be considered by the Joint Committee at their meeting in April 2013.

 

Details were then provided regarding the completion of the job evaluation scheme and advised that changes to staff’s terms and condition had been implemented from 1 January 2013 and any financial impact had been factored into the financial monitoring report.

 

Members further noted that further to discussions at the last meeting of the joint committee regarding the recycling of metals donations from the scheme were now being forwarded to the Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Trust. A further request for nomination had now been received from the Tees Valley and Durham Branch area of C.R.U.S.E. and it was proposed that this nomination be accepted for the next distribution of recycling of income.

 

Moving on details were provided regarding the recent Crematorium User Survey  and details of the results of which were appended to the report at Appendix 3. In view of those results a budget provision had been made within the 2013/14 budget for a feasibility study to be undertaken, to look at addressing those issues identified. It was proposed that this study be reported to the joint committee in September 2013 including options and costings to carry out any identified works.

 

The Superintendent and Registrar then went on to provide an update relating to heat recovery, and proposals to further utilise surplus heat from the cremators which were currently exhausting heat into the atmosphere. It was noted that discussions were ongoing between the Carbon Management Team and a firm within Europe who specialise in electricity generation to discuss ways in which the surplus heat could be utilised. The joint committee further noted that a more detailed report would be reported to the committee in April 2013.

 

It was also reported that the necessary arrangements had been made for the Chairman and the Superintendent & Registrar to represent the Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee at the Joint Conference of Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities and The Cremation Society of Great Britain conference on 1 to 3 July 2013 at Stratford-upon-Avon.

 

The Superintendent and Registrar advised that St. Cuthbert’s Hospice would like to supply a Christmas tree and baubles with a facility for visitors to write a personal message again in 2013. The tree had in previous years proved to be popular with visitors.

 

The committee further noted that there had been a recent incident at the crematorium whereby thieves had stolen sections of the copper roofing. Temporary repairs had been carried out and following this, discussions were taking place between DCC Design Services team with a view to putting forward an alternative to replacing the copper roofing, which could again be vulnerable to theft. These options would also be included within the feasibility study.

 

Discussion then ensued regarding the theft of the copper roofing and options for its replacement. It was noted that a full list of options with costings would be brought to the committee for discussion. Councillor Foster suggested that the council may be able to weigh-in the remaining copper and use any money generated from its sale to fund the replacement of the roof.

 

In conclusion the Superintendent and Registrar advised that there had been a recent complaint received regarding the use of the organ at services and the fee which was imposed if mourners wished to sing to recorded music. It was noted that the policy which had been in place since 1990 did outline the terms regarding organist’s fees and therefore it was proposed that existing arrangements continued.

 

Councillor Holland commented that the results of the survey relating to seating had shown that the seating situation within the crematorium was inadequate and clearly in need of review. It was noted that this would also be picked up within the feasibility study.

 

He further commented that it was important that the policy on organ fees was very clear and further communication with Funeral Directors was required to ensure that this information was correctly relayed to the customer.

 

Resolved:

That the update report be noted.

 

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