Council and Democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: via Microsoft Teams

Contact: Amanda Clayton  01246 34 5273

Items
No. Item

1.

Appointment of a Chair (to be appointed from Bolsover District Council)

Minutes:

Councillor Dooley was appointed Chair of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee for 2020/21.

 

(Councillor Dooley then took the Chair.)

 

Councillor Powell thanked officers for their support in his role as chair of the committee 2019/2020. The Chair and members thanked Councillor Powell for his commitment during his extended period as chair.

2.

Appointment of a Vice-Chair (to be appointed from Chesterfield Borough Council)

Minutes:

Councillor Ludlow was appointed Vice-Chair of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee for 2020/21.

 

3.

Declarations of Interest by Members and Officers relating to items on the Agenda

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were received.

4.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Blank and Councillor Ludlow.

5.

Minutes of the Joint Crematorium Committee held on 21 September, 2020 pdf icon PDF 284 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED –

 

That the Minutes of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee on 21 September, 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

6.

Estimates of Revenue Expenditure for Years ending 31 March 2021 Onwards pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Senior Accounting Technician presented to the committee the revenue estimates for 2020/21 to 2023/24. It was acknowledged that some forecasts may need to be reviewed due to the impact of COVID-19.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1. That the revenue estimates be approved.

2. That the Capital schemes be approved. (para 3.4 & 6.6).

3. In line with the recommendation agreed at the Joint Board meeting on the 12th December 2016 that a re-distribution of £500,000 to the Constituent Authorities be approved for 2020/21.

4. That the planned use of reserves be approved (para 6.0)

 

REASON FOR DECISION  -

 

To enable the Crematorium to set a balanced budget and maintain adequate reserves for 2020/21 and in future years

7.

COVID 19 Update Report pdf icon PDF 253 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Bereavement Services Manager presented to the committee an overview of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was noted that the number of cremations that took place in April, May and June of this year were exceptionally high but the numbers had since returned to the five-year average figure. Some of the seconded staff had returned to the crematorium for refresher training and others were on standby.

 

The permitted number of attendees in the chapel continued to be capped at 30 people, with 15 guests permitted to attend the strewing of ashes and the grounds remained open. Risk assessments had been carried out for all staff, particularly those classed as clinically vulnerable. Track and trace systems were in place and a full time equivalent cleaner had been employed to ensure the necessary cleaning regime could be adhered to.

 

The committee thanked the Bereavement Services Manager and team for continuing to provide a respectful, professional and safe service to residents

 

RESOLVED –

 

1. That the webcasting of services continued to be offered free of charge and reviewed in March 2021.

2. That the additional cleaning regime be extended for review in March 2021

 

REASON FOR DECISION -

 

1. To continue to provide Cremation Services in a Covid-19 Secure manner.

 

8.

Bereavement Services Manager’s Report pdf icon PDF 407 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 2020/21 was provided in Section 2 of the officer’s report.

 

In September 2019 a report was submitted on the environmental impact of the crematorium. An update was presented to the committee highlighting the following points;

·        Submission forms for cremations had been moved online and the Institute of Crematorium and Cemetery Management had taken note and shared the work as an example to others

·        The headland had been increased to increase the habitat for wildlife

·        Vehicle sharing initiatives were not permitted at this time but the traffic onsite had been drastically reduced due to the pandemic.

·        Research into new technologies was ongoing with the acknowledged possibility that the next cremators purchased may not be gas powered.

 

The committee heard that progress had not been as quick as hoped due to the pandemic but work would continue. The Bereavement Services Manager introduced the Service Director – Leisure, Culture and Community Wellbeing who would be taking responsibility for Bereavement Services from January 2021.Thanks to the team for their efforts during the pandemic were echoed by the Service Director and it was explained that the role was to provide support to the Bereavement Services Manager and team.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.   That the report be noted.

 

REASON FOR DECISION -

 

1. To update Members on the day to day operation of the Crematorium and to continue to raise awareness of the Environmental Impact of the Crematorium and current good practice.

2. To enable the Crematorium to continue seeking options that reduce the risk of harm to the Environment from its operation at the earliest opportunity, despite current pressures.

 

 

9.

Recycling of Metals – Donation to Charity Report pdf icon PDF 128 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 due to the impact of COVID-19.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.   To approve the nomination of Ashgate Hospicecare to be the recipient of the donation for 2021.

 

REASON FOR DECISION -

 

1.   Ashgate Hospicecare provides direct assistance to the residents of the constituent authorities and the charity has recently issued an urgent appeal for fundraising. A core element of the charity's work is to provide end of life and bereavement support, including in the wider community and care homes.