Chesterfield Crematorium Fees and Charges 2021/2022
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Bereavement Service Manager presented a report recommending for approval a proposed increase in the Crematorium fees and charges for 2022.
The report provided a detailed service analysis, which included a benchmarking exercise with other local authorities across Derbyshire. The review identified that Chesterfield Crematorium was placed seventh out of nine local crematoria that were looked at, ranking them in terms of price from highest to lowest. The committee was advised that other crematoria were likely to increase their prices from 1st April, 2022. It was noted that additional costs had been incurred during this financial year due to the pandemic.
The Competition and Markets Authority report published earlier I the year made a number of recommendations and some of these had since been made law through an order. The order requires crematoriums to clearly display their fees and charges and this had been actioned. A further investigation is referred to in the conclusion, to take place once conditions were more stable.
The committee heard that the increase in memorialisation fees had been recommended due to increasing costs from suppliers as material costs continued to go up. These fees had previously been held for five years.
Direct Cremations had seen a rise in popularity and the committee was advised that a price increase for this service was not recommended in the report to enable residents of the constituent authorities to have access to a dignified service at a competitive cost.
RESOLVED –
1. That the Fees and Charges for 2022 as shown in Appendix A of the officer’s report be approved.
2. That Memorial Fees be increased by 5%.
3. That no increase be made to Band A (remaining at £436.00) with delegated authority for the Manager, in conjunction with the Chair, to adjust pricing on this Band be approved.
4. That the increase to Band B by 3% from £603.00 to £619.00 be approved.
5. That the increase to Band C and other miscellaneous fees by 3% (BAND C would increase from £808.00 to £830.00) be approved.