Agenda item

Bereavement Services Development Plan

Future plans for Maidstone Cemetery and Vinters Park Crematorium

Minutes:

Mrs Jennifer Shepherd, the Head of Environment and Public Realm presented a report on the Bereavement Services Future Development Plan along with Miss Sharon Smith, the Bereavement Services Manager and Mrs Lesley O’Reilly, the Senior Bereavement Services Assistant.

 

The Committee were reminded that in 2013 Bereavement Services produced its first five year business plan.  The plan included the development of the existing service and the introduction of new services such as a pet crematorium at the Crematorium.  However, in 2017 the plan was realigned and although the provision of a pet crematorium was deferred there had been a number of other improvements made at the Crematorium.  These had included the expansion of the car park, refurbishment of the public toilets and energy recovery for heating the offices and Chapel.

 

Miss Smith advised the Committee that following a full review of the Cemetery a number of opportunities for improvement had been identified which included the refurbishment of the Chapel to bring it into use again, the demolition of the Gate Keeper’s House which would provide additional  space for cremated remains and the provision of new welfare facilities for the Cemetery staff. 

 

The Committee noted that the proposals set out in the recommendation could be partly funded from Capital expenditure already set aside from the pet crematorium project but further capital funds would need to be sought from Policy and Resources Committee for the Phase 2 improvements.

 

Mrs O’Reilly informed the Committee that she had undertaken a survey with customers and funeral directors on what they would like to see at the Cemetery.  The survey results demonstrated that there was demand for services at the Cemetery Chapel.  Re-opening the Chapel would also give the benefits of freeing up the Crematorium for more services and reducing traffic crossing town from the Crematorium to the Cemetery.

 

In the ensuing discussion the Committee declared its support for re-opening the Cemetery Chapel.  The Committee also commented that a new welfare facility was long overdue and requested that Officers be thanked for providing such a good report.

 

RESOLVED:

1)  That the Cemetery business case, including the two phased
  approach, be agreed;

2)  That the capital budget previously set aside for a pet
  crematorium be used to fund Phase 1 of the cemetery business
  plan instead.

3)  That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Regeneration
  and Place, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, to
  determine the most appropriate and cost effective method to deliver
  the staff welfare facility within the existing capital budget;

4)  That a review be carried out to explore in detail charging at
  Maidstone Cemetery in comparison with other similar
  Cemeteries in Kent and South London to inform the Committee
  on a future charging strategy;

5)  That the Officers be thanked for bringing this report forward
  and recognising the concerns of the Committee regarding the staff
  welfare facilities and the need to improve the Cemetery.

6)  That further funding be requested from the Policy and Resources
  Committee for the Phase 2 improvements outlined in the cemetery
  business plan.

Voting:  For:  Unanimous

 

Supporting documents: