Decision details

The Bereavement Services Manager submitted a report to inform Members of the proposal by the Joint Crematorium Committee to establish a wholly owned company for the future management of Chesterfield Crematorium.

The current formal agreement for the formation of the Joint Crematorium Committee agreed in 2003 set out the apportionment of any financial surpluses or deficits between the constituent authorities and the representation of each of the constituent authorities on the Joint Crematorium Committee. The report proposed to continue the apportionment on the same basis should a wholly owned company be established. The final decision on any formation of a wholly owned company would be taken by the Joint Crematorium Committee.

The report outlined the human resources implications and noted that the Crematorium was managed by Chesterfield Borough Council employees and the posts would need to be TUPE transferred into the new company. Details of the financial and legal implications, staff consultation requirements and risk management arrangements were included in the report.

*RESOLVED –

1) That the Cabinet supports in principle the Joint Crematorium Committee’s recommendation that a wholly owned company be established for the future operation of the Chesterfield Crematorium, with the new company’s articles and shareholders agreement being based on the “sharing agreement” which was agreed by the three Councils in 2003.

2) That alternative options be considered in more detail by the Joint Crematorium Committee before their recommendations are determined.

3) That, subsequent to this, the Joint Crematorium Committee’s recommendations be referred to the respective Councils to clarify the preferred option and to outline the necessary legal and governance arrangements.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

To allow the Joint Crematorium Committee to progress its plans to establish a wholly owned company to operate Chesterfield Crematorium in the future.