Agenda, decisions and minutes

No declarations of interest were received.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Blank, Councillor Dooley and Dean Epton, Interim Assistant Director for Commercial Services.

That the Minutes of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee on 23 September, 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Senior Accounting Technician presented the Committee’s revenue estimate for 2019/20 to 2022/2023.

The following points were outlined in the report:

·The budget included the revised scale of fees previously agreed at the Committee meeting 23 September, 2019.

·     The schedule of repairs agreed by committee 23 May, 2019 were included.

·     The pension review was ongoing and it was hoped that the outcome would be known at the end of the financial year.

·     £3k had been built into the budgets from 2020/21 in order
to accommodate the costs of a carbon offsetting scheme

It was noted that some repairs work are required on two drains and also to remedy cracks in the Chapel wall. At present the full nature and cost of these works are unknown and have therefore not been included in the budgets. The Board were made aware that this will therefore create a variance to the budget at some time in the future.

RESOLVED –

1. That the revenue estimates for 2019/2020 be approved.

2. That the Capital schemes as outlined in paragraphs 3.4 and 6.7 of the officer’s report be approved.

3. That pursuant to Minute No. 19 (Chesterfield and District Joint
Crematorium Committee, 2016/17) approval be given to redistribute funds to the total of £639,190 to the Constituent
Authorities for 2019/20. This includes an additional amount to re-distribute excess funds held in the Revenue Reserve from 2018/19 (see paragraph 6.2)

4. That the planned use of reserves as outlined in paragraph 6.0 of the officer’s report be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION –

To enable the Crematorium to set a balanced budget and maintain
adequate reserves for 2019/20 and in future years.

The Bereavement Services Manager presented a report on the surplus derived from the recovery of metals following cremation. It was explained that the number of enquiries from charities hoping to receive the surplus had increased significantly.

RESOLVED –

That the committee approve the nomination of the Nenna Kind Charity to receive share of the surplus funds from the scheme for the next 12 months with further nominations presented to the Committee in December 2020 or March 2021.

REASON FOR DECISION –

1.    The Nenna Kind Charity have not previously received support
from this scheme and provides various support to those affected by Cancer and their loved ones.

2.    The Charity also directly support residents of North Derbyshire by providing a Free Bus Service, twice daily to Weston Park Hospital.

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 Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Bereavement Services Manager presented a report on
matters relating to the operation of the Crematorium. Information on cremations carried out during 2019/20, together with comparisons and trends from previous years was provided.

It was noted that the number of cremations that took place between April and October 2019 was fewer than in previous years which correlated with a decrease in the number of Registered Deaths in Chesterfield in the same period.

The Bereavement Services Manager advised that a member of staff at the Crematorium was on a period of long term sickness absence. A work experience placement student had been appointed and a vacancy had arisen for a Seasonal Gardener.

The Chesterfield and District Crematorium had been nominated for an award by the APSE Performance Networks, in the most improved category, and the members congratulated the officers on the recognition and thanked them for their hard work.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the report be noted.

2.   That approval be given to fill the vacant position of Seasonal
Gardener.

REASONS FOR DECISION -

1.   To keep the Joint Committee informed of matters relating to the operation of the Crematorium.

2.   To ensure the maintenance of the Crematorium Grounds to their current standard.