This meeting of the Mansfield and District Crematorium Joint Committee included discussion of the Crematorium's finances for the 2024/25 financial year, plans to increase cremation fees and charges for 2025/26, and the allocation of funds from the Children’s Funeral Fund. The Committee will also receive an update on the operation of the Crematorium.

Cremation Fees and Charges

A report on the proposed increases to cremation fees and charges for 2025/26 was provided to the Committee.

The report recommends a 5% increase to the standard cremation fee, from £969 to £1,017, and sets out the additional income that would be generated by increases of between 6% and 10%. This would result in a fee of £1,035.50 for a standard cremation, inclusive of the medical referee fee.

The report also contains proposed cremation fees for 2026/27 and 2027/28, both of which include a 5% increase on the previous year.

Children’s Funeral Fund

The Committee received a report detailing how the Children's Funeral Fund has been used.

Funds were first claimed in June 2022 and in that time the following funds have been received: Year Number of funerals Total Claim Value 2022 19 £4,961.00 2023 21 £4,918.50 2024 8 £1908.00 TOTAL £11,787.00

A replacement memorial stone and flower vases were installed in the children's scattering area at a cost of £1,293.33.

The Committee also considered using the fund to produce a book about bereavement for children, in partnership with The Children’s Bereavement Centre, who provide bereavement support services for children in Newark, Sherwood, Mansfield, and Ashfield.

The Committee will further consider funding counselling sessions in all three districts at its next meeting.

Crematorium Operations Update

A report was provided updating the Committee on the operation of the Crematorium. The report notes that:

• The proposed staffing restructure is ongoing.
• The three cremators are currently operational.
• Refurbishment of the third cremator was completed in September 2024.
• The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA) carried out an inspection of the Crematorium in September 2024.
• An internal audit of health and safety was carried out in November 2024.
• The Christmas memorial service will take place on 14 December 2024.

The report also details planned building and maintenance work, including:

• Replacing the water main.
• Repairs to the roof of the Thoresby Chapel, the floral hall, and the Newstead Chapel.
• Investigation of electrical faults.

The report also includes data about:

• The number of cremations performed in each quarter from 2019 to 2024.
• Attendance at the annual Christmas memorial service from 2021 to 2023.
• Attendance at the monthly Bereavement Café.

Financial Management Review

The Committee will receive a report on the Crematorium's finances for the period April 2024 to September 2024.

The report shows the year-to-date income and expenditure for the Crematorium, and a forecast of the year-end position.

It is forecast that there will be a £61,025 overspend in the Premises Expenses budget. This is due to planned maintenance work being delayed. The report recommends that the budget be increased by £63,000 to ensure the planned work can be carried out in 2024/25.