The Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery Board met on Tuesday 23 June 2026 to discuss the financial performance of the cemetery for the 2025/26 financial year and to review the governance arrangements. The board also considered the appointment of a new treasurer and reviewed the client and contractor report.

Appointment of Treasurer

The board was scheduled to consider the appointment of Gina James, Strategic Finance Business Partner Environment, Civic Pride & Climate at the London Borough of Merton, as the new treasurer to the board. This appointment was proposed to take effect from 1 September 2026, following the retirement of the current treasurer. The report highlighted that the treasurer, along with the Clerk, are the two formal part-time employees of the board, ensuring the effective management of the board's pension fund.

MSJC Abstract of Accounts 2025/26

A key item on the agenda was the review and approval of the Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery Board's (MSJCB) Abstract of Accounts for the financial year 2025/26. The report detailed that the accounts comply with the CIPFA Accounting Code of Practice, which is itself compliant with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The accounts indicated a deficit for the year of £195,755. The report also presented revised revenue estimates for 2026/27 and sought approval for the Risk Register as of June 2026. The accounts were scheduled to be available for public inspection for a six-week period over the summer of 2026.

Annual Governance Statement 2025/26

The board was also scheduled to review and note the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2025/26. This statement is a statutory requirement and provides assurance that the MSJC's business is conducted in accordance with the law and proper standards, ensuring public money is safeguarded and used economically, efficiently, and effectively. The statement explained how the MSJC has complied with its adopted code of corporate governance, which aligns with the seven principles of the CIPFA/SOLACE Framework Delivering Good Governance in Local Government (2016) . The report noted that the MSJC utilises the systems and procedures of the London Borough of Merton to demonstrate good governance.

Client and Contractor Report

A report on the client and contractor relationship was also scheduled for discussion, although the report itself was to follow. This would likely have provided an update on the operational performance and any ongoing issues related to the services provided by contractors to the cemetery. The risk register highlighted concerns regarding the failure of contracting-out arrangements and the demobilisation of the current contract with IdverdeUK and the mobilisation of a new contract with Glendale Countryside, scheduled for 1 November 2026.

Appointment of Chair and Deputy Chair for 2026/27

The board was also due to appoint its Chair and Deputy Chair for the upcoming 2026/27 municipal year.