Meeting documents

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Contact: Democratic Services  01895 837236; Email: democraticservices@chilternandsouthbucks.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

86.

Election of Chairman

To elect a Chairman of the Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern and Wycombe Districts Crematoria Joint Committee for the municipal year 2019/20.

Minutes:

Councillor Jones was elected as temporary chairman for this meeting only, seconded by Councillor Peart, as the meeting was inquorate.

87.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 94 KB

To approve the minutes of the Joint Committee held on 23 January 2019.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the Joint Committee held on 23rd January 2019 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. 

 

88.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

89.

2018/19 Financial Outturn pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Minutes:

The Joint Committee received a report that provided Members with financial outturn information for the Chilterns and Bierton Crematoria for 2018/19. The Director of Resources reported that year on year numbers were down 5%, but commented that this was in part due to numbers being high the year before due to reduced capacity at Slough Crematorium last year. The surplus generated from the Chilterns Crematorium was £1.1 million, and the deficit from the new Bierton Crematorium, which was completed in April 2019 was £4.4 million, creating an overall deficit of £3.4 million. This was in accordance with financial planning.

 

Members were referred to table 4.2 which showed that despite large amounts of spending on Bierton Crematorium, there were still significant reserves retained. Members congratulated the Superintendent, the Head of Environment and the team, for the exceptional management of the Chilterns Crematorium and the extraordinary achievement of building Bierton Crematorium from the proceeds of Chilterns Crematorium.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.      That the financial outturn position for the year ended 31 March 2019 be noted.

 

2.      That the accumulated reserve surplus of the Joint Committee be noted.

90.

Moving to Unitary pdf icon PDF 33 KB

Minutes:

The Joint Committee considered a report which updated them on the governance arrangements that will apply following the establishment of the new Buckinghamshire Council on 1 April 2020. The Director of Resources reported that the Joint Committee would cease to exist following the creation of the new Council. Under the proposed structure for the new unitary Council, the management of the Crematoria would fall under the Corporate Directorate for Communities under the responsibility of the Service Director for Neighbourhood Services.

 

It was reported that operations would continue as normal and regular staff would be TUPE’d across on 1st April 2020. Tiers 2 and 3 management appointments were ongoing and were due to be completed by Christmas.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

91.

64th Annual Report 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Minutes:

The Joint Committee received the annual report for the Chilterns Crematorium. The Superintendent reported that there had been a significant reduction in the death rate from last year that had contributed to a dip in cremations. The fees for Chilterns Crematorium were recognised as being reasonably priced and competitive.

 

Members were informed that feedback for Bierton Crematorium had been overwhelmingly positive and that minor complaints had been remedied.

 

RESOLVED that report be noted.

92.

Update HS2 vent-shaft construction - potential impact on Chilterns Crematorium pdf icon PDF 39 KB

Minutes:

The Joint Committee received a report which updated Members on the potential adverse impact on funerals with the construction of an HS2 vent shaft.

 

The Superintendent advised that Cambridge City Council experienced a shortfall at their crematorium following significant A14 roadworks. This case study aligned with officers concerns regarding HS2 construction. The Superintendent had met with HS2 and was given a commitment for further discussions with officers about these issues. A further meeting was planned for September, but a date had yet to be confirmed.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

93.

Exclusion of the Public

To resolve that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular persons (including the authority holding that information).

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED -

 

That under Paragrah 3, Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

Note: the relevant paragraph number and description is indicated under the Minute heading.

 

94.

Bierton Crematorium Project Update

Minutes:

The Joint Committee received a report that updated Members on the project to build Bierton Crematorium.

 

The Head of Environment informed Members that the construction was completed as expected on 2nd April and opened on 23rd April. It was reported that the ground landscaping was initially not at the required standard but would be easy to correct over time. The other minor defects would be picked up within 12 months.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.