CHILTERNS CREMATORIUM JOINT COMMITTEE

FIFTY THIRD ANNUAL REPORT 1st APRIL 2007 – 31st MARCH 2008

CONSTITUENT AUTHORITIES AND REPRESENTATIVES

Aylesbury Vale District Council

Councillor John Cartwright (April 2007)

Councillor David Thompson

Councillor Kevin McPartland (May 2007 – March 2008)

Chiltern District Council

Councillor John Warder (Chairman)

Councillor Graham Sussum

Wycombe District Council

Councillor Audrey Jones

Councillor R. W. Jennings

Superintendent and Registrar

Charles Howlett DMS, F.InstCCM(Dip)

Chilterns Crematorium

Whielden Lane

Amersham

Buckinghamshire

Clerk                                   Treasurer

Alan Goodrum                         Alison Howes

Chief Executive                         Chief Financial Officer

Chiltern District Council                    Chiltern District Council

Council Offices                         Council Offices

King George V Road                         King George V Road

Amersham                              Amersham

Buckinghamshire                         Buckinghamshire

CHILTERNS CREMATORIUM JOINT COMMITTEE

FIFTY SECOND ANNUAL REPORT

The following tables show the number of cremations from 1st April to 31st March for the past five years and their originating Districts:

           Comparative figures for the previous years are:

The total number of cremations since opening until the end of March 2007 = 105,788.

In 2007 Chilterns Crematorium ranked at 14 in a league table in order of the number of cremations carried out at each of the 253 crematoria in the UK.

In 1995 there were approximately 650,000 deaths in the UK.  The overall downward trend since then to 576,000 by 2006 (the last year for which statistics are currently available) is reflected in the reduction in the number of cremations being carried out at the Crematorium.

2)     DISPOSITION OF CREMATION ASHES

Nationally there has been a steady reduction in the number of cremation ashes being placed in the grounds of the crematorium where the cremation has taken place, with a higher incidence of ashes being removed from the crematorium for disposal elsewhere.

In 1970 approximately 86% of ashes remained at crematoria (including about 15% being buried as opposed to scattered), but since then there has been a gradual decline and in 2004 the national figure was 40% (including 10% being buried).  At the Chilterns (where ashes have only ever been scattered), in the 1970’s around 80% of ashes were remaining in the garden of remembrance.  By 2004 this was reduced to 35%.  In 2006 approximately 32% of ashes were scattered in the garden of remembrance and 34% in 2007.

The number of cremation ashes being taken away for disposal elsewhere is being offset to a degree by a small but increasing number being received from other crematoria for scattering at the Chilterns; an average of 58 persons ashes have been received annually over the last five years, and 59 persons ashes were received in 2007/08 generating income of £1,474 from the scattering fee.

Although the reduction in ashes being scattered is reflected in memorial sales, nevertheless the Garden of Remembrance remains an important feature helping provide an appropriate setting for the place of cremation and also acting as a focal point in the mourning process.

3)     COMMEMORATION
 

An additional 122 commemorative plaques were added to the kerbing around the rose beds and the total number of plaques, after deducting those that were not renewed at the expiration of the lease period, is 2,920. Together with the income from renewals, the total income from rose bed commemorative plaques amounted to £46,694.

An additional 42 stone memorial plaques were sold, and the total number of plaques, after deducting those that were not renewed at the expiration of the lease period, is 660 since the scheme was introduced in 1994.   Together with the income from renewals the income for the year amounted to £26,619.

An additional 37 leather memorial plaques were sold in the chapel of remembrance, and the total number of plaques, after deducting those that were not renewed at the expiration of the lease period, is 268 since the scheme was introduced in January 2001, with income for the year of £5,448.

A total sum of £1,550 was donated for the purchase of trees, shrubs and flowering plants and bulbs.

A further 405 inscriptions were entered in the Book of Remembrance and the income, including the sale of miniature replica books and memorial cards, amounted to £33,914.
 

4)     FEES
 

The scales of fees were reviewed by the Joint Committee in December 2007.  Increases of around 3% in line with the projected rate of inflation were approved in relation to the majority of the fees, effective from 1st April 2008.  The cremation fee was increased by 5.5%, from £370 to £390, an above inflation increase taking into account the rising cost of energy (gas and electricity) and to help build up reserves for the future capital programme to provide cremator abatement plant by 2012 in compliance with new legislation.

The national average cremation fee in 2007 was £400, and in a league table of the 250 crematoria in the UK Chilterns cremation fee ranked at 190.
 

5)     STAFF

There were no staff changes during the year, but there were changes to the staff structure.

The position regarding the un-filled vacancy of Assistant Superintendent (as reported in last year’s annual report) was resolved during the year.  In the light of the success of the interim arrangements that were put in place following the unsuccessful recruitment exercise for the Assistant Superintendent, a minor review of the staffing establishment was undertaken resulting in the post of Assistant Superintendent and full time Clerical Assistant being deleted.  The full time Clerical Assistant who was acting-up to cover some of the duties was appointed to the new full time post of Senior Administrator, and the temporary Clerical Assistant’s post was made permanent.  As a result of these changes the overall staffing cost at the Crematorium was reduced.

A diagram showing the current staffing establishment at the Crematorium is shown on the following page:

Previously the Assistant Superintendent’s post and remuneration was linked to the occupation of one of two on-site bungalows on a service tenancy basis.  The bungalow has now been let to another member of the Crematorium staff on a service tenancy basis at a reduced rent in return for out of hours “caretaking” duties.

6)     ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

     Cremations emissions abatement

In 2005 the Joint Committee responded to the requirements of new environmental protection legislation by resolving in principle to achieve filtration of all cremations as soon as practicably possible, and as a minimum to install plant capable of filtering cremations from two cremators (achieving abatement well in excess of the 50% of cremations required by the regulations) by 31st December 2012.  To assist in this process the Joint Committee further resolved in 2006 that consultants be appointed to develop the project.

The main reason why a consultant is required to oversee this project is to state the required performance specification which the finished product will operate to (to meet the requirements set down in the Secretary of State’s Guidance for Crematoria, PG 5/2 (04)) and to advise about which tenderers’ equipment will and won’t meet the specification.  The consultant will provide the expertise to ensure, subject to the equipment provided by the manufacturer being adequate and it being operated properly, that the filtration package which is installed is compatible with the Crematorium’s existing cremators (installed in 1996/97 and with many years viable operating life remaining), is durable and works to the requirements set down in the Process Guidance Note.

The project is being overseen by Chiltern District Council’s (CDC) Engineer’s Section, assisted by the Superintendent.  The Engineer’s decided on the most practicable approach of investigating potential multi-disciplinary civil engineering consultancies who could advise not only on filtration, but also handle all other aspects of the project under one umbrella (heating and ventilation, building works and energy recovery).  This was considered necessary firstly to ensure a single organisation takes overall responsibility for the different elements involved, particularly important in the event of problems arising, and also to overcome limited resources in the Engineer’s Section preventing them being able to take on much of the project work themselves.

Following a selection process a detailed report was presented to the Joint Committee recommending that Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd be the appointed consultants, which was approved.  Their first task of a feasibility study to identify a number of options on how to proceed was well underway by the end of the year.

Recycling of metals following cremation

For many years any metal retrieved following cremation was retained until a sufficient quantity had been accumulated, after which it was buried in the grounds of the crematorium.  In common with most crematoria in the UK, this was the practice at the Chilterns Crematorium.  The metals in question are principally those used in orthopaedic implants, and ferrous metals used within the construction of the coffin.

As well as taking up space, this policy placed metals in the ground where they would remain forever.  They could instead be smelted down and re-used, as has become an increasingly common practice on the Continent.  The re-use of these metals helps conserve mined metal ore which is a non-renewable resource.

In 2004 the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) established a scheme for crematoria throughout the UK to participate in the recycling of all metals following cremation.  Income raised from the scheme in excess of operating costs is distributed to suitable death related national charities.

In 2005 the Joint Committee resolved that Chilterns Crematorium would join the scheme.  Participation is transparent, being described in Crematorium’s literature and on the application form for cremation.  The applicant is also given the option to opt out of the scheme and dispose of any metals retrieved themselves.  In practice, out of approximately 9,000 cremations since the scheme was introduced, less than half a dozen applicants have actually requested the metals and there have been no complaints about the metals being recycled.

Each year the ICCM writes to all participating authorities asking them to nominate national charities they would like to see benefit from the donations, which in the first three years of the scheme have amounted to £48,500.

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