Issue - meetings

In March 2023, Cabinet requested a further report detailing a business case for Option 3: Investing in two electric cremator(s) at Poole Crematorium be brought back to Cabinet.  This report provides the data and evidence for this business case.

The crematoria market in Poole is highly competitive since the opening of a private facility at Lytchett Minster, Poole, now further compounded by competition to the wider BCP Bereavement Care Services offer at Bournemouth Crematorium following the opening of New Milton Crematorium and the wider Direct Cremation market offer.  The market analysis set out in this business case and previous background reports indicates that BCP Council would not be able to reinvest and run a crematoria facility at Poole at no cost to the Council. 

Due to the current BCP Council financial context within which Cabinet are considering this business case this Officer report recommends Cabinet pause investment in new electric cremators at Poole and reviews the operating model for BCP Bereavement Care Services. In doing so it is suggested Cabinet asks Officers to present options for future investment and operational delivery at a future Cabinet meeting. Cabinet is asked to consider the Officer recommendation.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)             Cabinet agrees Option 1; to pause a reinvestment decision in new electric cremators at Poole Crematorium and review the future operating model for BCP Bereavement Care Services;

(b)            Cabinet members commit to meet with representatives of the bereavement industry and faith sector to discuss the feasibility of working in partnership to deliver cremator provision at Poole Crematorium; and

(c)             Cabinet asks Officers to prepare a detailed financial review of the service and present options for investment and operational delivery models to a future Cabinet.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities

Reasons

The recommendations of this report, based on the data and evidence set out in this business case and background reports for electric cremators at Poole Crematoria seeks to provide a financially sustainable approach to the provision of cremators and ceremonial space to meet the needs of the whole BCP Community.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that in March 2023, Cabinet requested a further report detailing a business case for Option 3: Investing in two electric cremator(s) at Poole Crematorium be brought back to Cabinet, and that this report provided the data and evidence for this business case.

Cabinet was informed that the crematoria market in Poole is highly competitive since the opening of a private facility at Lytchett Minster, Poole, now further compounded by competition to the wider BCP Bereavement Care Services offer at Bournemouth Crematorium following the opening of New Milton Crematorium and the wider Direct Cremation market offer, and that the market analysis set out in this business case and previous background reports indicates that BCP Council would not be able to reinvest and run a crematoria facility at Poole at no cost to the Council. 

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that due to the current BCP Council financial context within which Cabinet are considering this business case this Officer report recommends Cabinet pause investment in new electric cremators at Poole and reviews the operating model for BCP Bereavement Care Services, and that in doing so it is suggested Cabinet asks Officers to present options for future investment and operational delivery at a future Cabinet meeting. Cabinet is asked to consider the Officer recommendation.

In presenting the report the Deputy Leader proposed amendments to the recommendations set out within the report, these became the substantive recommendations as set out below.

Councillor Broadhead addressed the Cabinet stressing the importance of work being carried out.

The Leader of the Council advised that it was important to include the faith sector in discussions and alternative ways of funding.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)              Cabinet agrees Option 1; to pause a reinvestment decision in new electric cremators at Poole Crematorium and review the future operating model for BCP Bereavement Care Services;

(b)            Cabinet members commit to meet with representatives of the bereavement industry and faith sector to discuss the feasibility of working in partnership to deliver cremator provision at Poole Crematorium; and

(c)             Cabinet asks Officers to prepare a detailed financial review of the service and present options for investment and operational delivery models to a future Cabinet.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities

Reasons

The recommendations of this report, based on the data and evidence set out in this business case and background reports for electric cremators at Poole Crematoria seeks to provide a financially sustainable approach to the provision of cremators and ceremonial space to meet the needs of the whole BCP Community.

.