Agenda item

Report by the Crematorium Manager (attached).

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

i)        Trainee Manager: Update

It was noted that as previously reported, the manager had indicated his

intention to retire at the end of the 2024/25 financial year, facilitated by reducing

working days over two years to enable recruitment of a trainee manager to take over from 1/4/2025. North Devon Council SMT had approved the business case to enable the process to move to the advertising of the post internally within both North Devon and Torridge Councils with the aim of the trainee post being filled by 1/4/2024. It was anticipated that the ‘pay-back’ for the associated costs would be within two-years (from 1/4/2025).

ii)        Crematorium Figures

The Cremation figures were noted. The actual figure for January was 154.

iii)       Direct Cremations

It was noted that the cremation numbers for the 9-months of operation were:

and that 9% were non-resident Direct Cremations

iv)       Crematorium Organist

It was noted that the Crematorium Organist Contract had been awarded until February 2027 with an option to extend by up to additional 2 years. The new rate would be £25 per service.

v)       Phase B Works (Garage/Memorial Room)

It was noted that the building works had been completed. A number of

payments still remained outstanding (including the retention), but the final total was expected to be close to the projected budget.

vi)       Medical Referee

It was noted that on 1^st April 2024 legislation removed the need to scrutinise

any medical information as part of the crematorium’s application process. Despite this, the Medical Referee role had been unexpectedly retained whilst the Government consulted on how cremations would be authorised in the future. The absence of the need for medical scrutiny strongly suggested the Medical Referee role would be replaced by a process of ‘non-medical’

crematorium staff scrutiny and authorisation.

vii)      Crematorium Solar Panels

It was noted that the Rowan chapel was constructed in 2015/16 with a

sufficiently strong roof to permit the installation of solar panels. North Devon Council intended to investigate the installation of panels at the Brynsworthy Environment Centre. It was hoped to initially obtain a specification and

anticipated cost through an engineer previously used by Torridge Council

(report cost approximately £2,000 - £3,000).

It was agreed to undertake a survey to install panels at the crematorium using the same method and at a similar cost and that the funding thereof be met from the  Budget Management Reserve to enable options and costs to be reported to the next Joint Committee meeting.

viii)     Metals Recycling Charity Award

It was noted:

That North Devon Hospice had received an award of £14,000 and that Cruse would be the next nomination in line with the current rota.

Children’s Hospice SW

Families in Grief

North Devon Hospice

Cruse

The Joint Committee considered applications from the following additional charities seeking to be added to the rota:

·       Huntington's Disease Association

·       Child Bereavement UK

·       Young Lives v Cancer

·       Widowed and Young

·       Stroke Association

It was agreed that It was agreed that no additions be made to the existing rota list.