Apologies were received from Councillors Cottle-Hunkin, Haworth-Booth and Lovering.

(i)       RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th June 2024 (previously circulated) be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(ii)       Matters Arising. There were no matters arising.

There were no items of urgency.

Please telephone the Corporate and Community Services team to prepare a form for your signature before the meeting. Interests must be re-declared when the item is called. A declaration of interest under the Code of Conduct will be a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, an Other Registrable Interest or a Non-Registrable Interest.  If the item directly relates to your interest you must declare the interest and leave the room for the item, save in the case of Other Registrable Interests or Non-Registrable Interests where you may first speak on the item as a member of the public if provision has been made for the public to speak.  If the matter does not directly relate to your interest but still affects it then you must consider whether you are affected to a greater extent than most people and whether a reasonable person would consider your judgement to be clouded, if you are then you must leave the room for the item (although you may speak as a member of the public if provision has been made for the public to speak) or, if you are not, then you can declare the interest but still take part).

There were no declarations of interest declared.

Report by the Crematorium Manager (attached)

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

i)        Crematorium Figures- (excluding NVF)

The Cremation figures were noted. The Crematorium Manager reported that there had been 125 cremations in July.

ii)        Crematorium Solar Panels

It was noted that North Devon Council had now use Devon County Council’s

procurement service. They were being consulted to identify the best method to design/procure panels for the crematorium and other NDC sites.

iii)       Metals Recycling Charity Award

It was noted:

That Cruse had been nominated for the second 2023 award (due July 2024) had been delayed with a second award request expected before end of year

Rota for subsequent awards:

Children’s Hospice SW

Families in Grief

North Devon Hospice

Cruse

iv)       Service Over-Run Charge

It was noted that an incident had occurred recently where the actions of a funeral director had led to the chapel being unavailable for about 45 minutes after their service.

It was agreed that the use of the Service Over-Run charge (£295) be used in such circumstances and that an additional cleaning charge be applied if necessary.

It was noted that such charges would apply to the funeral directors and not the families.

The Committee recorded its thanks to the staff for dealing with the situation in a professional and efficient manner.

v)       Other matters

The Crematorium Manager reported that the cleaning contract was out for tender and that a third quote was awaited for the works to the garden area.

He also reported that there was currently no statutory inspection regime in relation to the services provided by funeral directors. The Ministry for Justice had in light of recent national incidents issued guidance for local authority visits of funeral directors and he would be attending such visits in the North Devon area.

vi)       Service Improvement Plan

The Committee noted that a Service Improvement Plan which had been undertaken by the Trainee Crematorium Manager and had been consulted on with the Crematorium Team had been completed. The copies of the document for information and comment would be emailed to all Members.

Report by Treasurer (attached)

The Joint Committee noted a report by the Treasurer (previously circulated) regarding the performance for quarter 1 April to June 2024-2025.

It was noted that the next meeting would be on Friday 1^st November 2024 @

2.30 p.m.