Agenda item

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. It was also reported that some of the maintenance costs were fairly unknown especially with electric, so these were indicative figures.
• Direct cremations was a growth market and there was potential to grow this in the BCP area. The increasing demand for this seemed to be mainly cost driven.  If new cremators were installed in Poole this would allow expansion to this sector of the market.
• Engineers had advised that the life expectancy of the Bournemouth cremators was expected to be up to 10 years.
• A query was raised regarding resomation/water cremations. It was noted that the regulations governing this were currently being explored but the water authorities had raised concerns.

A Councillor initially moved that the committee recommend to Cabinet option 4 as outlined in the report. The timeframe 4 option 4 would only be a little longer than option 3 and would provide a much more sustainable option moving forward. Other Councillors supported this option and whilst noting that there was an element of risk the prospective gains in option 4 far outweighed this. The difference in timeframe between option 3 and option 4 was a matter of a few months between summer 2024 and winter 2024.

Before a vote was taken on the initial motion a second move was made that the committee recommend to Cabinet option 3 as outlined in the report. It was suggested that whilst option 4 was commendable a risk could not be taken on delaying this matter further due to its importance to the community.

Further comments were made regarding the financial and environmental advantages, which, it was suggested would be welcomed by funeral directors. Option 3 could be adopted as the fall-back option. The motions were then put to the vote.

MOVED: That the Cabinet be recommended to approve Option 4, Commit to bringing forward the reinstatement of electric cremators at Poole Crematorium, subject to a review of new technology and emerging green technologies being made available to the UK market in Summer 2024.

Voting: 3/5 (1 abstention)

RESOLVED: 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.

Voting: 5 /1(3 abstentions)