The Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee meeting on 05 February 2025 was scheduled to include a report on the finances of the crematorium, a report on the number of cremations, and for the committee to agree its budget for the 2025/26 financial year.

Eltham Crematorium Finances

The committee was scheduled to note the projected financial position of the Crematorium. The budget for 2024/25 predicted a total overspend of £98,591. The overspend was predicted to be due to lower than expected income from fees, which was in turn due to the actual number of cremations at the crematorium being lower than the budgeted number.

The committee was also scheduled to note the balance of the Repairs & Renewals Reserve, which is a reserve fund held by the council to pay for repairs and refurbishment work at the crematorium. The projected closing balance for the 2024/25 financial year was £530,000.

The Repairs & Renewals Reserve is made up of balances carried forward (opening balance) plus any retained sums – minus deductions such as those agreed to cover the cost of works.

The committee was scheduled to approve the 2025/26 fees and charges for cremation and memorial services. The report presented three options for increasing cremation fees: 1.7%, 5% or 10%. These increases were calculated to provide illustrative examples for the committee to consider, and the committee was also free to choose a different percentage increase, or no increase at all.

Finally, the committee was scheduled to agree a draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year. The budget included an illustrative 1.7% increase in fees and charges. The committee was free to adopt this budget, or to make changes.

Bereavement services

The committee was scheduled to note the Bereavement Services Managers Report. This report contained information on the number of cremations, memorial sales and operational issues at the crematorium. The report detailed the number of cremations from each of the three boroughs that jointly manage the crematorium: Greenwich, Bexley and Dartford. It also contained information on the number of cremations from people who lived outside the three boroughs.

Planned Maintenance

The committee was scheduled to note the Report of Programme Manager, Capital Projects & Property Maintenance. The report updated the committee on the progress of planned and routine maintenance at the crematorium. The committee was asked to note that the three year maintenance programme for the years 2024-2027 was out to tender.

Tenders are being sought for the 2024-2027 3-year works programme.