Council and Democracy

Decision details

Review of Assets and Reserves

Decision Maker: Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Assistant Director – Commercial Services and the Bereavement Services Manager submitted a report that provided information on the Crematorium’s Reserves, Land and Property Assets, enabling the Committee to review their status and ensure that they continued to be managed efficiently and maintained in a consistent, strategic manner that supported service delivery.

 

The Crematorium holds six usable reserves: the Mercury Abatement Reserve, Cremator Repairs Reserve, Organ Reserve, Revenue Reserve, Capital Improvement Reserve and Equipment Reserve. The report provided details on the current position of the reserves and predicted future impacts including the need for repairs or replacement of equipment, drop in death rates and national investigations into the sector.

 

The Asset Register, which was attached at Appendix 2 of the officer’s report, noted the current value of Land and Property Assets including the predicted life expectancy and replacement or re-build costs.

 

In response to the Committee’s questions, the Bereavement Services Manager advised that the Crematorium had reduced its carbon footprint by harnessing heat to distribute throughout the buildings, installing solar panels on the roof and developing the grounds to create areas for wildlife. An assessment of the environmental impact of the Crematorium service would be carried out and the Committee requested that this be brought to the September meeting which would take place at the Crematorium.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.   That contributions to the Mercury Abatement Reserve continue at the rate per cremation set by CAMEO.

 

2.   That the current balance of the Cremator Repairs Reserve be maintained and reviewed regularly.

 

3.   That the Organ Reserve be maintained at the current level.

 

4.   That the minimum balance of £250k be maintained in the Revenue Reserve and that the risks to revenue, including fluctuations in death rates, local competition and the investigation into the sector, be noted.

 

5.   That the Management Plan projects, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the officer’s report, be approved and that the current balance of the Capital Improvement Reserve be noted.

 

6.   That the current value of land and assets, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the officer’s report, be noted.

 

7.   That an assessment of the environmental impact of the Crematorium be carried out and presented to the Committee in September, 2019.

 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS – 

 

1.   To ensure that the Crematorium has sufficient funds to replace cremation equipment at the earliest foreseen time so as not to place financial burden on the three Constituent Authorities.

 

2.   To ensure, in the unlikely event of plant failure, sufficient funds are available to maintain, service and if necessary, replace individual pieces of crematory equipment until the full plant replacement.

 

3.   To ensure sufficient funds are available to maintain the Crematorium’s Church Organ in suitable condition.

 

4.   To ensure that the Crematorium is protected against a loss of revenue due to a fall in cremation numbers.

 

5.   To maintain and manage the Crematorium to acceptable standards over the coming years and to provide a caring, dignified service for the people of North Derbyshire over the coming years.

 

6.   To keep Members informed of the Crematoriums Assets and their value.

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Contact: Ross Fawbert Email: ross.fawbert@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Report author: Ross Fawbert

Publication date: 24/05/2019

Date of decision: 23/05/2019

Decided at meeting: 23/05/2019 - Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee

Accompanying Documents: