This meeting of the Portchester Crematorium Joint Committee was scheduled to include a report on progress made on reducing the carbon footprint of the crematorium, a discussion on an approach received from the owners of Portchester Memorial Gardens, and a review of the budget for 2025/26.

Portchester Crematorium budget

The revenue budget for Portchester Crematorium for 2025/26 was scheduled to be considered, with the Treasurer to the Joint Committee recommending an increase in cremation fees of £75 from 1 April 2025.

This is set having due regard to cost increases for employees, utilities and other premises cost increases along with service enhancements for our customers.

The report notes that the fee level of £900 for 2025/26 would still be below the 2024 UK average cremation fee of £959.14, and the January 2024 average cremation fee for Hampshire of £1,034.

The report also notes that:

A new crematorium has been given planning permission within the Borough of Fareham, and will be bought into use by a private crematorium operator over the course of the coming year. It is reasonable to assume a drop in cremation numbers of between 800 – 1000 on realisation of the scheme, which will have an associated drop in income.

The report goes on to say that, despite this, there will be no call on the constituent councils to contribute to the crematorium budget, stating that:

This report includes various amendments to the budgets which, together with the proposed increase in fees and charges, should mean that the Crematorium facilities will continue to be operated, maintained and improved on a self-sustaining basis and without a requirement for any financial contributions from the constituent authorities in the foreseeable future.

Carbon Reduction Plan

The meeting was scheduled to include a report on the progress made on reducing the carbon footprint of the crematorium in the 2023/24 financial year.

The report states that

Scope 1 emissions from the use of gas primarily for the cremation process have shown a further reduction in the year. Whilst a reduced number of cremations were carried out in the period our emissions per cremation continue to fall. This is due to work by our team to complete the cremation process as efficiently as possible.

Replacement of Cremators

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the progress of the cremator replacement project.

The report states that:

The installation of the two new cremators has been completed. [and] Testing and commissioning of the new equipment is in progress.

Repairs and Renewals

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the repairs and renewal programme at the crematorium. The report notes that some items in the programme have been delayed as a result of the cremator replacement project, but confirms that:

Currently projected costs remain within the allocated budget of £4.5m agreed at the Joint Committee meeting on the 20th March 2023.

Portchester Memorial Gardens

A report by the Clerk and the Treasurer of the Joint Committee on an approach received from the owners of the Portchester Memorial Gardens was scheduled to be discussed. This item was listed on the agenda as exempt, meaning that it was not made public, and so it is not possible to determine from the information provided to the attendees what the approach was.