Issue - meetings

In September 2022, Cabinet requested a report detailing options for the replacement of cremator(s) at Poole Crematorium be brought to Cabinet in the next 6 months, with the aim of working towards new cremator(s) being installed in the next 18 months.

This report provides reports back on an independent feasibility study on the technological options for crematoria installation and asks Cabinet to consider the potential options for investment and to agree which to take forward.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)             Cabinet notes that a business case will be taken to the Future Infrastructure Board to request CIL funding for the approved option;

(b)             Cabinet notes the CDS Group feasibility study for cremator replacement at Poole Crematorium;

(c)             Cabinet agrees to progress with Option 3: Invest in two electric cremators and will look to build into the Capital programme once ordered; and

(d)             Cabinet agrees to a detailed business case on the agreed option be brought back to Cabinet.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth, Regeneration and Transformation

Reason

The recommendations of this report seek to ensure provision of cremators to meet the needs of the whole BCP Community.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth, Regeneration and Transformation presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that this report was being brought to Cabinet following a request in September 2022 that report detailing options for the replacement of cremator(s) at Poole Crematorium be brought to Cabinet in the next 6 months, with the aim of working towards new cremator(s) being installed in the next 18 months.

Cabinet was informed that the report reports back on an independent feasibility study on the technological options for crematoria installation and requested that Cabinet consider the potential options for investment and agree which way to take it forward.

In proposing the report the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth, Regeneration and Transformation proposed an amended recommendation contrary to that contained within the report. Cabinet was advised that the amended recommendation removed the original recommendation (a) ‘Cabinet agrees an investment of up to £3.3M be built into the future capital programme and up to £725k per annual revenue costs from 2024/25 for the provision of cremators at Poole Crematorium’ as contained within the report and looked instead to build this into the capital programme as per the amended recommendation (d).

The Chairman of the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed the Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Committee had proposed the following recommendation: -

‘The Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended to Cabinet that it approves option 3, as outlined in the report to Invest in two electric cremators.’

In relation to this the Chairman of the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee advised that the reason provided by the committee in making this decision was that it was important to have cremators operating in the facility again as soon as possible.

Members of the Cabinet spoke in support of option 3 expressing the importance of moving forwards.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)             Cabinet notes that a business case will be taken to the Future Infrastructure Board to request CIL funding for the approved option;

(b)             Cabinet notes the CDS Group feasibility study for cremator replacement at Poole Crematorium;

(c)             Cabinet agrees to progress with Option 3: Invest in two electric cremators and will look to build into the Capital programme once ordered; and

(d)             Cabinet agrees to a detailed business case on the agreed option be brought back to Cabinet.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth, Regeneration and Transformation

Reason

The recommendations of this report seek to ensure provision of cremators to meet the needs of the whole BCP Community.

In September 2022, Cabinet requested a report detailing options for the replacement of cremator(s) be brought to Cabinet in the next 6 months, with the aim of working towards new cremator(s) being installed in the next 18 months.

This report provides up to date crematoria market analysis, data and trends supported by an independent feasibility report as to the options available on the installation of cremators at Poole Crematorium to support a reinvestment decision.

CDS Limited were commissioned to carry out a feasibility report following the Cabinet meeting on 28 September 2022 whereby Cabinet committed to bringing forward the reinstatement of cremators at the Poole Crematorium facility, subject to a continuing review of demand, emerging green technologies and the preferred future location(s) and appropriate timeframe for this investment.

Since April 2020 Poole Crematorium site has been operating as a ceremonial only venue with deceased conveyed to Bournemouth Crematorium for cremation.

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these minutes in the Minute Book. The Committee was advised that Cabinet in September 2022 had requested a report detailing options for the replacement of cremator(s) be brought to Cabinet in the next 6 months, with the aim of working towards new cremator(s) being installed in the next 18 months. This report provided an up to date crematoria market analysis, data and trends supported by an independent feasibility report as to the options available on the installation of cremators at Poole Crematorium to support a reinvestment decision.

Since April 2020 Poole Crematorium site had been operating as a ceremonial only venue with deceased conveyed to Bournemouth Crematorium for cremation. There were 4 options outlined within the report. The Committee raised a number of issues in the ensuing discussion including:

• Opening up the Crematorium in Poole would also take pressure off at Bournemouth, which would allow improvements to be made. Having the two would benefit bereavement care as a whole across BCP Council and allow the Council to improve resilience.
• It was noted that option 4 would eventually outrun gas cremators by year 18, indicating that option 4 was the cheapest in terms of running costs overtime.
• The Lead Member for engagement advised that over the time that this had been discussed there was now a much better way forward and advised the Committee they supported option 4 based on the information they had received.
• There was currently no UK based electric cremator producer and if the electric options were selected the Council would need to go to suppliers outside of the UK should the new cremators not come forward.
• The Committee enquired about the cremator purchasing options from the available suppliers and how could value for money be ensured for the Council. Consultants had advised of new technology coming on to the market in 2024 which could be retrofitted into older crematoriums. Products currently on the market would require significant work to ensure these were able to be installed.
• The Committee was advised that DFW Europe was the only supplier with installed, operating electric crematoriums. New technology was currently going through regulated testing. The new technology would involve an onsite build.
• It was confirmed that significant structural work would be required if the current market option was preferred which would include reinforcing the floor and alternations to a mezzanine floor.
• The committee sought clarity on the capacity calculations within the report. The number of 1463 cremations was an indicative figure and within industry guidelines. This would be within standard operating times but there would be options to operate outside of these times.
• In response to a query regarding ongoing expenditure in relation to staffing it was confirmed that there needed to be a certain number of trained staff on site when operating a crematorium. The service already actively shared staff between sites.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57