The Bandon Hill Cemetery Joint Committee met to elect a chair and vice-chair for the upcoming year, review the cemetery's financial performance, and approve funding for fence repairs. Councillor Edward Joyce was elected as Chair, and Councillor Sam Martin was elected as Vice Chair. The committee also noted a trading outturn surplus of £47,086 for the 2024/25 financial year and approved £18,800 for replacing damaged fencing.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

Councillor Edward Joyce was elected as Chair of the committee for the 2025/26 municipal year, and Councillor Sam Martin was elected as Vice Chair.

Financial Performance and Risk Management

The committee noted the 2024/25 trading outturn, which showed a surplus of £47,086. According to the report of the treasurer, this was £54,086 higher than forecast at Period 6 and an underspend of £32,900 against the budget. The variance was primarily due to higher interest receivable (£35,991 compared to a £11,000 budget) as a result of better than average investment returns during the year (5.12%).

The committee also reviewed the cemetery's risk register, which identifies potential risks such as the cemetery running out of spaces, financial pressures, and poor operational service delivery. Mitigations are in place to address these risks, such as reclaiming graves, maintaining a general reserve, and monitoring contractor performance.

The risk register states that the cemetery has regularly generated a surplus which has been kept in a general reserve totalling £764k at the end of March 25. This reserve can be used to mitigate any potential in year deficits, especially in future years as income potentially falls relative to costs.

Funding for Fence Repairs

The committee agreed to allocate £18,800 to replace damaged sections of fencing on the boundary of Bandon Hill Cemetery adjacent to residential properties on Queenwood Avenue and Rookwood Avenue. According to the report of the surveyor, the council has received complaints from residents regarding the condition of the fencing. The project will involve replacing 145m of fencing in several locations along the boundary, as well as small repairs and clearance work. The project will be tendered to ensure value for money.