Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cottle-Hunkin, Denton and P. Leaver and Sarah Higgins (NDC Head of Customer Focus).

(attached).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st November 2024 (previously circulated) be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 and that to date there had been 145 cremations in February.

ii)         Metals Recycling Charity Award

It was noted:

That Children’s Hospice South West had been nominated for the next award.

Rota for subsequent awards:

Families in Grief

North Devon Hospice

Cruse

Children’s Hospice SW

The Trainee Bereavement Services Manager reported that a request had been received from one of the Charities that the awarded grant be shared equally between the chosen Charities each year rather than on a 2 yearly rota basis to aid fund raising. She would bring a report to the next Joint Committee meeting for consideration.

iii)        Crematorium Solar Panels

It was noted that a project had been set up to:

• Assess if any grants were available (early indications are negative).
• Obtain tenders for a system to be installed on the Rowan Chapel roof (constructed in 2016 with specific instruction it be sufficiently sturdy for solar panels). A previous estimate was obtained for 70kw system costed at £61,500 +vat (expired Dec 2024).
• Identify additional cost of battery storage and the benefits/pay-back period.

It was also noted that there may be an option to add EV charging at a later date.

The funding option of using the Budget Management Reserve was discussed previously (total £102,461 including any vat – equivalent of £85,000 +vat).

It was noted that a powered coffin carrying trolley had been purchased for the Aspen Chapel and the new ‘Welcome Garden’ had been completed

RESOLVED:

i)             that the battery storage/back up option provision be approved to provide business continuity and resilience.

ii)            that the Budget Management Reserve identified above approved and be used to fund the project, up to the full amount including the cost of battery storage.

Report by Treasurer (attached)

The Joint Committee noted a report by the Treasurer (previously circulated) regarding the performance for quarter 3 (April to December 2024/2025) and that the projected net deficit for the year be funded from the Equipment Replacement Reserve.

Report by Treasurer (attached)

The Joint Committee considered and noted a report by the Treasurer (previously circulated) regarding the budget, fees and charges for 2025/2026.

RESOLVED:

(i)    That the basic Cremation charge for 2025/26 of £899 be approved as detailed in paragraph 4.4 of the report

(ii)  That the 2025/26 budget as set out in paragraph 4.1 of the report be approved.

(iii)That the fees and charges for 2025/26 as detailed in paragraph 4.5 and appendix 2 be approved subject to the Funeral Director charge for service over run being amended to £370 due to a typing error.

(iv)That the distribution of surpluses for 2024/25 of £416,230 to the constituent authorities: £249,740 to North Devon Council and £166,490 to Torridge District Council be approve.

(v)  That the transfer of £100,000 to the Equipment Replacement Reserve be approved

It was noted that the next meeting would be on Friday 6^th June 2025 @

2.30 p.m.

The Chair and Joint Committee recorded their thanks to Mark Drummond (Crematorium Manager) who was retiring at the end of March for his service to the crematorium and wished him well in his retirement.