Agenda and draft minutes

NORTH DEVON CREMATORIUM JOINT COMMITTEE

 

A virtual meeting of the above Committee will be held on FRIDAY 7^th AUGUST 2020 AT 2.30 p.m.

 

Members:       Representing North Devon Council

 

Councillors Bulled, Cann (Vice Chairman), Davis, Gubb, Lovering, Phillips and Walker

 

                        Representing Torridge District Council

 

Councillors Christie, Gubb, Harding, A. Inch (Chairman) and Pennington.

 

AGENDA

 

1.         Apologies for Absence.

 

2.         To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th       June 2020 (attached).

 

            (a)       Matters Arising

 

3.         Items brought forward which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered by the meeting as a matter of urgency.

 

4.         Declarations of Interest.

 

5.         To agree the agenda between Part ‘A’ and Part ‘B’ (Confidential Restricted Information).

 

PART ‘A’

 

6.         Crematorium Matters. Report by the Crematorium Manager (attached)

 

7.         Performance Monitoring Quarter 1 2020/21. Report by Treasurer (attached)

 

8.         Dates of Future meetings:

 

            Friday 6^th November 2020 @ 2.30 p.m.

            Friday 5^th February 2021 @ 2.30 p.m.

 

PART ‘B’ (Confidential/Restricted Information)

 

Nil

 

 

 

NOTE:  Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985

 

In addition to any document specifically mentioned, reports included in this Agenda will have been prepared with reference to any or all of the following:

 

1.         All relevant statutory provisions.

2.         All relevant Government circulars and ministerial advice.

3.         All relevant adopted policies of the Council.

4.         Capital Works Programme.

5.         Current Estimates.

6.         Standing Orders

7.         Consultants’ opinion and advice.

8.         Published works relevant to the subject of the report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)       APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR

 

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, Councillor Christie was appointed to Chair the meeting

 

(b)       APOLOGIES

 

Apologies were received from Councillor Davis and Inch (who would be late)

 

(c)       MINUTES

 

(i)         RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th June 2020 (previously circulated) be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

(ii)        Matters Arising – There were no matters arising

 

The Vice Chairman Councillor Cann joined the meeting and took the Chair

 

(d)       DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations of interest declared

 

(e)       CREMATORIUM MATTERS

 

The Joint Committee considered a report by the Crematorium Manager (previously circulated).

 

i)          Solar Panels

 

It was noted that due to the Covid 19 crisis there had been no developments

ii)         Achievements

 

It was noted:

 

a)           That the Aspen Flower area had been completed and was available for use.

 

b)         That the crematorium now had five beehives, three of which were this year’s swarm.

 

iii)        Covid Crisis Update

 

It was noted:

 

a)            The crematorium had not had any cases for 4-weeks (report submitted 22.7.2020).

 

b)            That Government advice regarding places of worship did not relate to the crematorium but did trigger a review of risk assessments. This resulted in the retention of singing as it was recognised the measures and facilities were sufficient to manage the risk.

 

c)            That the situation was constantly monitored, and previous measures would be re-instated if necessary.

 

d)            That the current measures were likely to remain in place for the medium term and the Aspen Chapel would be unavailable until the next financial year.

 

iv)        Metals Recycling Charity Award

 

It was noted that £10,000 had been awarded to Over and Above (maternity bereavement suite) and the cheque presented by the Chairman and Councillor Lovering on 22^nd July. Clarity had been nominated for the next award (January 2021) as previously reported and the subsequent nomination list was:

 

Calvert Trust

Over and Above (Cancer & Wellbeing Centre)

Families in Grief

North Devon Children’s Holiday Foundation

North Devon Hospice

Cruse

Children’s Hospice SW

Over and Above (North Devon Hospital – Maternity Unit Bereavement Suite)

Clarity

 

That no further additions would be considered prior to February 2022.

 

 

 

v)         Crematorium Figures

 

The Cremation figures were noted and that the average delay from death to service was currently 16 days.

 

vi)        Garden Improvements 2020/21

 

It was noted that it was hoped to re-start the approved garden projects in the next few weeks as contractors resumed working.

 

The cover for the Rowan exit would be reviewed, as the long-term use of the chapel made the work difficult, unless weekend working could be secured.

 

vii)       Larkbear Development – Traffic Management

 

It was noted:

 

a)            That the Crematorium Manager had reported concerns regarding the traffic measures to the NDC Policy Development Committee on 16^th July. A strong view had been expressed that a 2-route access to the crematorium must be maintained, at all times as the single-route via

Gratton Way  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.