Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual - Online meeting. View directions

Note: If you wish to attend the Committee please email ms.isaac@btinternet.com : AT LEAST 2 WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE ACTUAL MEETING. This will be a virtual meeting and will be conducted in line with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020. 

Items
No. Item

30.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Lovering.

31.

To approve the correct record of the minutes of the meeting held on 7th February 2020 pdf icon PDF 218 KB

(attached).

Minutes:

(i)         RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th February 2020 (previously circulated) be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

(ii)        Matters Arising – There were no matters arising

 

The Chairman and Committee expressed their thanks to the Crematorium Manager and staff for their continued work during the current difficult times.

32.

Items brought forward which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be considered by the meeting as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

Nil.

33.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest declared.

 

34.

Crematorium Matters pdf icon PDF 237 KB

Report by Crematorium Manager (attached).

Minutes:

The Joint Committee considered a report by the Crematorium Manager (previously circulated).

 

i)          Solar Panels

 

It was noted that due to the Covid 19 crisis there had been no developments

 

ii)         Achievements

 

It was noted:

 

a)         That the Aspen Flower area frame (not roofing) was completed on the day the Covid shutdown was announced. The contractor did some safety works (fencing and waterproof cover) to prevent damage. It was hoped works will be completed by mid-June.

 

b)         That both cremators were re-lined immediately prior to the Covid-peak. The Barnstaple Hotel provided free key-worker accommodation for the engineers after their hotel closed. Without their support the work would have been very difficult to complete.

 

c)         That the new logo caskets were now in use after the sourcing was switched to the UK (originally China). There had been increased costs.

 

iii)        Staffing

 

It was noted:

 

a)         That the new technician had started work on 6th April.

 

b)         That a new lead Medical Referee (Dr Nick Relph) had been appointed by the Ministry of Justice. The previous post-holder (Dr Loveden) remained in a deputy role to support the crematorium during the Covid crisis.

 

iv)        Covid Crisis Update

 

It was noted:

 

  • That the uptake of Cremation services increased in April, returning to normal levels in May. 
  • That free webcasting was (and remains) available to mitigate the reduced mourner numbers. The Manager expressed his personal thanks to Councillor Walker who sought the Joint Committee’s consent.
  • That the Crematorium gardens were initially shut by legislation but re-opened when the Government guidance was relaxed.
  • That only the Rowan Chapel was in use as its size allowed easy social distancing. At the time of writing this report the capacity is 18. The maximum possible whilst maintaining 2-metre social distancing was 33. Rowan’s exclusive use was expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
  • That the was office closed early in the crisis but its re-opening was imminent with screens, gel points, barriers and split receptions (enquiries at one, booked appointments at the other) all in place by mid-May.
  • That the early ordering of safety equipment/materials and support of North Devon Council procurement ensured all equipment was available before and throughout the crisis.
  • That the efforts of the staff had been the subject of much positive comment by Funeral Directors.

In answer to a question from a Member the Crematorium Manager stated that if there was a second Covid spike he was confident that the Crematorium would be able to manage and plans were in place.

The Treasurer reported that Devon County Council was the responsible local authority for Covid planning and were producing in consultation with District Council’s and Crematoria an Outbreak Management Plan by the end of June 2020 in case there was a second Covid spike.

v)         Metals Recycling Charity Award

 

It was noted that Over and Above (maternity bereavement suite) had been nominated for the next award (July) as previously reported and the subsequent nomination list:

 

Clarity

Calvert Trust

Over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

35.

Outturn 2019/2020 pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Report  by Treasurer (attached).

Minutes:

The Joint Committee considered the outturn report 2019/20 by the Treasurer (previously circulated).

 

RESOLVED:

 

i)             That the Outturn Report 2019/20 be noted.

 

ii)            That the following Reserves and Balances be approved:

 

 

 

Capital Funding Reserve

Equipment Replacement Reserve

General Reserve

 

£

£

£

Opening Balance 1st April 2019

341,478

300,000

100,000

Contribution in year

0

100,000

0

2019/20 Revenue Deficit

(8,232)

0

0

Closing Balance 31st March 2020

333,246

400,000

100,000

 

 

36.

Dates of future meetings:

·         Friday 7th August 2020 at 2.30 p.m.

·         Friday 6th November 2020 at 2.30 p.m.

·         Friday 5th February 2021 at 2.30 p.m.

 

Minutes:

The following dates for future meetings were noted:

 

Friday 7th August 2020 @ 2.30 p.m.

Friday 6th November 2020 @ 2.30 p.m.

Friday 5th February 2021 @ 2.30 p.m.