Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment

The Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment introduced the report which provided an update in respect of ongoing challenges regarding the reliability of the cremators at Cheltenham crematorium. He explained that the council was now at a point where a decision should be made regarding suspending cremations, temporarily stop taking new bookings and phasing the shutdown of the cremation operation. For those who had existing bookings services and cremations would be assured although it may be necessary to arrange for cremations at alternative locations should there be any further technical failure of the plant. The Cabinet Member paid tribute to the staff involved who had done all they could to maintain the operation of the crematorium to date. Sadly the risk to staff, customers, contractors and the fabric of the building was now deemed to be too high to continue its operation.

This was a very sad and brave decision and he  wished to put on record his thanks to staff and officers. The financial implications of this decision was at the forefront and an alternative interim service offer and related charges would be made available until the new crematorium became operational in Spring 2019. He wished to highlight however that the crematorium building remained open for services and burials. He also emphasised that this decision did not represent a threat to the employment of current staff neither individually or collectively as there were ample other functions necessary in preparation for the opening of the new operation.

The Cabinet Member Finance informed that the issues arising from the cremators would have a significant impact on budgets next year as officers were anticipating that the net position may be up to £450k below target. Fortunately, the council had the foresight to construct a new facility.

Members agreed that this was a necessary decision, particularly in view of the health and safety aspects of the operation where the risk assessment was unacceptable.

The Leader wished to thank all the staff who had been operating in extremely difficult circumstances. The situation was far from ideal but managing the consequences of this decision was already in hand.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    the ongoing technical issues which the Director of Environment and the bereavement services team are managing in relation to the existing cremator plant be noted;

2.    the decision taken by the Crematorium Business Continuity Management Group (CBCMG) to temporarily stop taking new bookings for cremation services be endorsed.

3.    the phased shutdown of the cremation operation at the Bouncers Lane site be approved, noting that it may be necessary to arrange for cremations at alternative locations, should there be any further technical failure of the plant;

4.    the development of an alternative interim service offer and related charges be approved, subject to consultation with funeral directors, which will be made available until the new crematorium becomes operational in Spring 2019;

5.    authority be delegated to the Director of Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Clean and Green Environment, to finalise details of the revised service offer and take any other actions necessary to optimise service delivery arrangements and any associated contractual changes.

6.    the projected financial impact arising from these recommendations, as set out under the ‘Financial implications’ section below be noted.