The Executive Decision meeting of Waltham Forest Council on Wednesday 8 January 2025 approved an increase in the budget for the Chingford Mount Crematorium development. The meeting also noted the progress made on the design and delivery programme for the new facility.

Chingford Mount Crematorium Scheme

The council's Deputy Leader (Climate and Air Quality), Councillor Clyde Loakes, approved an increase in the project budget for the new crematorium at Chingford Mount Cemetery. The budget has risen from £8.4 million, approved in June 2023, to £10.94 million, an uplift of £2.54 million. This additional funding will be met through prudential borrowing, with repayments to be covered by the revenue generated from the crematorium's operation.

The report presented to the Deputy Leader highlighted that the cost increase is attributed to the development of the crematorium's design and scope, as well as rising construction inflation over the past 18 months. Despite the increased expenditure, the scheme is still projected to deliver a positive return on investment (ROI) over 25 years.

The new crematorium aims to provide a much-needed facility for bereaved families in the borough, addressing a reduction in burial space and offering a complementary service that increases choice for residents. The project aligns with the council's corporate objectives, including those in Mission Waltham Forest, focusing on services designed around residents, leading the way for a net-zero borough through the use of electric cremators and cutting-edge emissions technology, and ensuring a firm financial footing through sustainable investment and income generation.

The facility will include a chapel, designed to ease funeral logistics, support grieving families, reduce traffic, and accommodate diverse faith and belief groups. The design has progressed to RIBA Stage 3, and a planning application was submitted on 1 October 2024. A preferred contractor has been identified following a tender process, and the first stage involves a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) to further develop the design. The council has also separately tendered for electric cremator suppliers to ensure cost certainty.

The report noted that alternatives such as doing nothing or closing the cemetery when burial space is exhausted were considered but dismissed due to the significant risk of operational failure and the missed opportunity to transition to a green burial solution.

The project is being managed by the Property and Delivery Directorate, with support from Finance, Legal, and Procurement services. Sustainability has been a key consideration, with the crematorium aiming to meet the BREEAM 'Very Good' standard. This includes features such as a natural ventilation system, heat recovery from cremator chambers, photovoltaic panels, and green roof technology. The council's external tax advisor has indicated that the new crematorium can be accommodated within its partial exemption calculations, with an estimated 85% of total income being exempt. The operational business plan anticipates 1,600 cremations per year, generating an estimated £23.23 million over 25 years.

The decision to increase the budget was made to allow for the agreement of the PCSA and for the project to progress into the construction phase. The report also noted that the council is the burial authority under section 214 of the Local Government Act 1972 and has the general power of competence under section 1 of the Localism Act 2011. Procurement will be conducted in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Council's Contract Procedure Rules, utilising the Essex Construction Framework 3. An Equalities Analysis screening found no negative impacts, and the facility is expected to benefit all faiths and those with no faith.

The decision was made by Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader (Climate and Air Quality). The report and its recommendations can be found in the Chingford Crematorium Executive Decision Report - 8th January 2025.