Agenda, decisions and minutes

That Councillor Ludlow be appointed Chair of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee for 2018/19.

(Councillor Ludlow then took the Chair.)

That Councillor Kerry be appointed Vice-Chair of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee for 2018/19.

No declarations of interest were received.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Blank, A Diouf, Huckle, Ritchie, and the Treasurer to the Committee.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee on 13 March, 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To move “That under Regulation 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.”                      

Part 2 (Non Public Information)

RESOLVED –

That under Regulation 21 (1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2000, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by Paragraphs 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972’ on the grounds that it contains information relating to financial or business affairs.

The Bereavement Services Manager submitted a report on matters relating to the operation of the Crematorium.

Information on cremation totals, comparisons with national and regional data, and geographical information on which areas funerals had been received from in 2017/18 was provided in Section 3 of the officer’s report.

The report also provided detail on the Government’s introduction of a Children’s Funeral Fund in England, as well as the amendments to current regulations set out in the Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2017.

The Bereavement Services Manager informed members that, despite the deletion of the Crematorium’s in-house Organ Service, the Chapel organ would remain available for use at funerals at no charge.

The report noted that the Annual Service of Remembrance and Open Day would take place on 15 July, 2018.

The Committee thanked all staff involved in the operation and presentation of the Crematorium and its grounds for their hard work and excellent results produced.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the Cremation Figures, as set out in Section 3 of the officer’s report, be noted.

2.   That the Upcoming Service of Remembrance be noted.

3.   That the Introduction of a Children’s Fund in England and Wales be noted.

4.   That the amendments to the Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 be noted.

5.   That the deletion of the Use of Organ Service from the Fees and Charges be approved.

6.   That the Staffing Items, as set out in Section 8 of the officer’s report, be noted.

7.   That the variances on Management Plan Projects be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION

To ensure statutory compliance and the ongoing quality, cost effectiveness and safe operation of the service. 

RESOLVED –

That after consideration of an item containing exempt information, the public be re-admitted to the meeting.

The Treasurer to the Committee and the Bereavement Services Manager submitted a report on the final accounts of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee for the year ended 31 March 2018, including the Revenue Account and Balance Sheet.

The report noted that at year end there had been a surplus of £715,368, and outlined the areas where there had been variances from the approved budget.

Section 3 of the report provided detail on the schemes that required carry forwards to 2018/19.

Information was given on six useable reserves shown in the Balance Sheet, as attached at Appendix B to the officer’s report:

·        Revenue Reserve

·        Mercury Abatement Reserve

·        Equipment Reserve

·        Organ Reserve

·        Cremator Repairs Reserve

·        Capital Improvement Reserve

The report noted that a redistribution of £512k had been made to the constituent authorities, the details of which were set out in paragraph 5.2 of the officer’s report.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the report be noted and the Statement of Accounts be approved.

2.   That the carry forward requests, as detailed in paragraph 3.3 of the officer’s report, be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION

To ensure that the Joint Committee approves the Statement of Accounts and that a balanced revenue budget is maintained for 2018/19.