PAPER E

 

 

FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE – 19 APRIL 2005

 

BEREAVEMENT SERVICES ISSUES – TASK GROUP ACTIVITY

 

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR FIRE, EMERGENCY PLANNING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

 

 

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

 

This report provides the Select Committee with an update on issues that have recently been addressed by the Bereavement Services Task Group.  The Task Group last reported to the Select Committee on 19 July 2004.

 

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

 

1.      To review the work of the Bereavement Services Task Group

2.      To make a recommendation to the new Council on the merit of retaining a Bereavement Services Task Group to oversee service delivery and promote service development.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Bereavement Services Task Group has met twice since it last reported to the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee.

 

Particular consideration has been given to:

 

1.         Income Trends/Budgets

 

Cremation and Burial figures have unexpectedly fallen this year and this has an effect on Bereavement Services income.  There has been a reduction in cremations of 109 for the year 2004-2005 from the previous year.  This reduction gives the service a budget shortfall of £40k.  The year 2004-2005 has also seen a reduction in burials of 50 against the 6 year average.  This gives a budget shortfall of £34k.  Added to this is an increase in gas costs.

 

The biggest cost to Bereavement Services is the grounds maintenance contract this on average costs £230,000 per annum.  Task Group members discussed possible ways to reduce this amount.

 

It was confirmed after discussions with the Portfolio Holder that prices for the basic cremation and burial should rise in 2005/6 by inflation plus 3%.  All other prices relating to burial and cremation have risen by inflation plus 5%.  These increases should generate an additional £30k per annum.

 

The grounds maintenance contract was scrutinised and it was recommended that:-

 

Mowing regimes should be reduced.

 

Conservation areas will be changed to rough cut areas.

 

This would have the effect of saving Bereavement Services about £10k per annum.

 

The introduction of new memorial schemes are being introduced again this will generate additional income.

 

2.         Crematory and Temperature Control

 

Regulations do not give a specified maximum indoor workplace temperature.  The temperature can however reach in excess of 100 degrees F in the crematory in the summer months.  Employers are required to make working conditions as comfortable as is reasonably practical. With this in mind there have been discussions between Bereavement Services and Property Services on the issue of temperature control.  The Select Committee was made aware of these discussions last July.

 

It was suggested that the crematory would benefit from the installation of air conditioning.

 

Surveys concluded that the electricity supply into the crematorium was insufficient for the equipment needed. It was agreed to install another transformer.  This was completed in January 2005; a cable running to the crematorium building from the transformer will be renewed in April 2005.  Air conditioning units can then be fitted after this work is completed.  The work is being funded in part by Property Services, and in part through capital allocation to Bereavement Services.

 

3.         East Cowes Cemetery Extension

 

Members have been made aware of the need to extend East Cowes Cemetery and the Executive agreed in principle for cemetery extension in January 2003.

 

Property Services subsequently arranged for a bore hole to be drilled at the request of the EA to ascertain whether the allocated land was suitable to be used as burial ground.  The Task Group has been kept informed of progress.

 

After results from the single bore hole were evaluated the Environment Agency requested additional works.  These additional bore holes will be monitored for twelve months.  Property Services have undertaken to manage this process and will submit a planning application in the event that the Environment Agency’s concerns are addressed.  In the meantime burials continue at East Cowes in the last available plots.

 

4.         Capital Spends Priorities

 

Bereavement Services was allocated £50k over each of the last 2 years and has provisionally been allocated £50k per annum over the next 2 years for Health and Safety and other priority works.

 

Memorial Safety =   High Priority

 

Tree Safety         =    High Priority

 

Pathways and perimeter walls and fences  =  High Priority

 

The Task Group has helped to identify priorities.

 

Improvement works carried out recently include:

 

Crematorium

 

Station Lane has been re-laid

 

The car park has been relined and 3 disabled parking bays have been put into place

 

The floral tribute area has been block paved

 

Pathways have been repaired

 

A disabled toilet has been installed

 

There have been new ramps put into place to conform with the DDA

 

A new electricity transformer has been installed

 

Electronic Book of Remembrance has been purchased (to be self financing)

 

Cemeteries

 

Pathways and roads have been repaired and pot holes have been filled

 

Chapels at Ventnor, Binstead and Carisbrooke (Mountjoy) have been redecorated and can now be used by the public for services

 

Tree safety work is being carried out in cemeteries

 

The wall at St. Marys Church has been repaired and made safe

 

Dog wardens are carrying out spot checks in the cemeteries

 

Second hand pews have been purchased for Binstead Chapel

 

5.         Other issues the Task Group has considered

 

Home Office consultation Burial Law and Policy in the 21st Century

 

Mercury emissions and proposals for new legislation

 

Dog fouling in cemeteries and crematorium

 

Plot conversion (kerb set removal)

 

Carisbrooke church wall (St Mary’s)

 

Electronic book of remembrance

 

Heritage Lottery Fund bid in respect of Ryde Cemetery

 

Vandalism

6.         Outstanding Work

 

Members of the Task Group have noted that there are issues outstanding.  These include:

 

Completion of works currently planned

Northwood Chapel subsidence

Cremator Replacement

 

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

 

Consumer Protection Service Plan

 

Bereavement Service Best Value Review [pilot]

 

CONSULTATION PROCESS

 

The Task Group has sought advice and guidance from Property Services, Financial Services and officers responsible for managing the dog warden contract. Local members have been consulted.

 

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

 

The Task Group has expressed concern over the condition of many Bereavement Services assets.  Condition surveys on the assets catalogue problems that still need to be addressed.  A capital allocation for Bereavement Services has been allocated predominantly for Health and safety issues (£50k each year) over the next 2 years.  It is evident however that more significant sums are required.

 

Many Select Committee Members are aware of vandalism in cemeteries.  A culture of deteriorating condition appears to foster disrespect and further vandalism.  It is therefore important to maintain the condition of all Council cemeteries.

 

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

 

Notes from Task Group Meetings on 12 October, 9 February 2005

Report to Executive 29 January 2003

Report to Fire and Public Safety 19 July 2004

 

Malcolm Houghton Bereavement Services Manager, 882288

email  [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COUNCILLOR DAVID KNOWLES

Portfolio Holder for Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection