Issue - meetings

The Bereavement Service Business Plan 2021-26 presents a background to the service, an overview of the regional competition, current market forces and current industry trends.

It identifies the impact the private sector has had on the regional market, future potential threats and opportunities within this market

It highlights opportunities for the service to increase its income streams through the introduction of alternative, innovative, efficient and sustainable solutions in response to both industry and customer demand, with a focus on continual investment, service improvement and diversification.

Through consultation across the wider bereavement industry, the Council, customer feedback and the identification of future trends it presents a preferred option in moving the service forward.

If approved the preferred option would be initiated over two phases

Phase 1:

Consolidating the service into a dual site single crematorium model, with initial investment into the infrastructure at Poole to further develop a high-end ceremonial and memorial venue, retaining the site`s current reverence for the future

Additional investment into Bournemouth Crematorium would be required to provide better direct access to the crematory under the coffin conveyancing arrangement enabling greater flexibility on movement without interruption to services taking place. Introducing a more tailored pricing matrix for a range of services to meet the demands of current market forces, industry and customer feedback, focusing on a more transparent, flexible and mobile approach, responding to wishes of the bereaved and changing market trends.

Continue to harmonise the teams across BCP, identify new and alternative burial provision, enhance our marketing plan, harmonise ITC systems, data and record storage, communication and media channels.

Phase 2:

Focus on developing a long-term solution for the continued use of the Poole Crematorium site as a location for the bereaved, following a further review after 18 months of the impact of the implementation of Phase 1 of the business plan.

This will not exclude the replacement of cremator/s at Poole Crematorium, the further enhancement of the location as a ceremonial and memorial venue or the addition of alternative functions associated with Bereavement.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)         The Bereavement Services Business plan 2021-2026 be approved;

(b)         The preferred option of a two phased approach to delivering the Bereavement Services Business Plan 2020-2026 be approved;

                     i.        Phase1: To approve developing a dual site single crematorium model for Bereavement Services, with an initial investment into Poole Crematorium to enhance the venue as a high-end ceremonial and memorial location;

                    ii.        Phase 2: To bring back to cabinet within 18 months an investment plan for the long-term usage of Poole Crematorium as a continued site for the bereaved once the impact of the implementation of Phase 1 has been fully evaluated; and

(c)          The capital investment required to deliver the recommended options within Phase 1 of £559K, as outlined in section 6.3 of the Business Plan and to be funded through use of reserves and prudential borrowing be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Environment, Cleansing and Waste

Reason

To retain the Council`s current market share in the local bereavement market, to mitigate against future competition, improve and diversify income streams and respond to feedback from the industry and the bereaved.

To adopt a strategic vision and investment programme for the BCP Council Bereavement Service in order to seize on new market opportunities, respond to market demand and generate additional income streams which reduce the service’s reliance on cremation income

The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste 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 the Bereavement Service Business Plan 2021-26 presented a background to the service, an overview of the regional competition, current market forces and current industry trends, identifying the impact the private sector has had on the regional market, future potential threats and opportunities within this market. And that further to this it highlights opportunities for the service to increase its income streams through the introduction of alternative, innovative, efficient and sustainable solutions in response to both industry and customer demand, with a focus on continual investment, service improvement and diversification.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that through consultation across the wider bereavement industry, the Council, customer feedback and the identification of future trends a preferred option had been presented in moving the service forward.

Cabinet was informed that if approved the preferred option would be initiated over two phases.

Phase 1:

Consolidating the service into a dual site single crematorium model, with initial investment into the infrastructure at Poole to further develop a high-end ceremonial and memorial venue, retaining the site`s current reverence for the future

Additional investment into Bournemouth Crematorium would be required to provide better direct access to the crematory under the coffin conveyancing arrangement enabling greater flexibility on movement without interruption to services taking place. Introducing a more tailored pricing matrix for a range of services to meet the demands of current market forces, industry and customer feedback, focusing on a more transparent, flexible and mobile approach, responding to wishes of the bereaved and changing market trends.

Continue to harmonise the teams across BCP, identify new and alternative burial provision, enhance our marketing plan, harmonise ITC systems, data and record storage, communication and media channels.

Phase 2:

Focus on developing a long-term solution for the continued use of the Poole Crematorium site as a location for the bereaved, following a further review after 18 months of the impact of the implementation of Phase 1 of the business plan.

Cabinet was advised that this will not exclude the replacement of cremator/s at Poole Crematorium, the further enhancement of the location as a ceremonial and memorial venue or the addition of alternative functions associated with Bereavement.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          The Bereavement Services Business plan 2021-2026 be approved;

(b)          The preferred option of a two phased approach to delivering the Bereavement Services Business Plan 2020-2026 be approved;

                     i.        Phase1: To approve developing a dual site single crematorium model for Bereavement Services, with an initial investment into Poole Crematorium to enhance the venue as a high-end ceremonial and memorial location;

                    ii.        Phase 2: To bring back to cabinet within 18 months an investment plan for the long-term usage of Poole Crematorium as a continued site for the bereaved once the impact of the implementation of Phase 1 has been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 265

To consider issues within the Environment Cleansing and Waste Portfolio area, including the following report scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 16 December 2020:

• Bereavement Services Business Plan Phase 1

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise the report and make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.

Cabinet member invited to attend for this item: Councillor Mark Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste.

The Cabinet report is attached for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Bereavement Services Business Plan Phase 1- The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste introduced the report, a copy of which had been circulated and which appears as Appendix ‘C’ to the Cabinet minutes of 16 December in the Minute Book. A number of issues were raised by the Board in the subsequent discussion, including:

·     A Councillor commented that they found it difficult to support the report due to the proposals and the impact they would have around the whole market for death and bereavement in Poole and the outward and ongoing impact that it would have. There was concern about how the funding was going to be invested. It was asked why immediate investment in Poole was not included as an option within the report. The Portfolio Holder noted that this was included as an option with the report. The division of funding for Bournemouth and Poole was outlined by the Head of Parks and Bereavement Services.

·     There was also concerns raised about the lack of burial space now available within Poole and the impact that this would have going forward. Officers and the Portfolio Holder confirmed that there was an awful lot of work to do in this area and appreciated the concerns of Councillors.

·     In response to a question regarding the investment and the potential for borrowing in this area the Portfolio Holder confirmed that this was the first stage and there were several reasons to proceed on this basis. It was noted that the paper set out an interim position over the next 18 months.

·     There was discussion regarding working in partnership with other funeral providers and the reasons for and against this option.

·     A Board member asked about the natural burial ground in Throop, the Portfolio Holder advised that he was not sure if it was meadow or woodland but there would be no grave markers and would be owned by the Council.