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Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee - Thursday 3 July 2025 9.30 am

July 3, 2025 View on council website
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Summary

The Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee met to discuss a range of topics, including a mid-year increase to cremation fees, a review of the committee's constitution, and the annual governance statement. The committee was also scheduled to review performance and operational matters at Mountsett Crematorium.

Here are the key items that were listed on the agenda for discussion:

Proposed Increase to Cremation Fees

A report on fees and charges 2025-26 - mid-year increase - Mountsett outlined a proposal to increase cremation fees at Mountsett Crematorium by £50 (5.41%) from £925 to £975, effective from 1 October 2025.

According to the report pack, cremation fees had already been increased by £50 (5.71%) for 2025/26. Benchmarking data included in the report pack indicated that Mountsett's cremation fees were £141 lower than the regional average. The report stated that a further mid-year increase would help to close this gap, although Mountsett's fees would still be £91 below the regional average.

The report noted that the Joint Committee had introduced direct cremations and discounted earlier slots to allow for choice and help families with cheaper options. It was proposed that there would be no mid-year price increase for off-peak cremation service times (£715) and direct cremation (£660 attended and £520 unattended), although members may wish to consider increasing these charges in 2026/27.

The report stated that, with a prudent estimate of 1,300 cremations for the year, a £50 increase in cremation fees was budgeted to generate an additional £32,500 of income in 2025/26, with additional income for a full year of £65,000.

The report pack stated that plans for the use of the additional income would be considered at the September 2025 meeting, alongside the Budget Strategy report which is supported by the SAMP (Service Asset Management Plan).

Review of Constitution and Terms of Reference

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on changes to constitution and TOR- Mountsett -2025 which provided details of a review of the Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee's constitution. According to the report pack, the constitution is reviewed annually at the Joint Committee's annual general meeting, in accordance with the Annual Governance Statement requirements.

The report noted that the constitution, which was last updated on 3 July 2019, had been reviewed by the Clerk to the Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee.

The report pack stated that the review had not highlighted any requirements for change to the current constitution, and that the report reaffirmed continuation of the existing constitution and governance arrangements set out within.

The report pack also included the Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee Constitution dated 2nd March 2015.

Annual Governance Statement

The committee was scheduled to consider the annual governance statement 2025-26 - Mountsett for the year April 2024 to March 2025. According to the report pack, the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) demonstrates how the Joint Committee complies with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 in relation to the annual review of the effectiveness of its system of internal control.

The report pack stated that the AGS is based around a number of statements or assertions in relation to good governance, financial management and internal control. In approving the AGS, the Joint Committee is required to provide an answer of 'yes' or 'no' to each assertion.

The seven assertions relevant to the Joint Committee, as summarised in the report pack, are:

  • i. We approved the accounting statements prepared in accordance with the guidance notes within this Return.
  • ii. We maintained an adequate system of internal control, including measures designed to prevent and detect fraud and corruption and reviewed its effectiveness.
  • iii. We took all reasonable steps to assure ourselves that there are no matters of actual or potential non-compliance with generally accepted good practice that could have a significant financial effect on the ability of the body to conduct its business or on its finances and have reported our financial results to our host authority for inclusion in their accounts.
  • iv. We carried out an assessment of the risks facing the Joint Committee and took appropriate steps to manage those risks, including the introduction of internal controls and/or external insurance cover where required.
  • v. We maintained throughout the year an adequate and effective system of internal audit of the accounting records and control systems.
  • vi. We took appropriate action on all matters raised during the year in reports from internal and external reviews.
  • vii. We considered whether any litigation, liabilities or commitments, events or transactions, occurring either during or after the year-end, have a financial impact on the Joint Committee and where appropriate have included them in the accounting statements.

Revenue Outturn and Joint Committees Annual Return

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report on the revenue outturn and joint committees return - Mountsett for the financial year ended 31 March 2025. The report pack included details of the final outturn position against the approved budgets for 2024/25, as well as details of the funds and reserves of the Joint Committee at 1 April 2024 and the final position at 31 March 2025.

According to the report pack:

  • The revenue outturn was a surplus (before transfers to reserves and distribution of surpluses to the partner authorities) of £369,574 against a budgeted surplus of £388,983, which is £19,409 less than the budgeted position.
  • Contributions to the earmarked reserves are £19,409 more than originally budgeted.
  • The retained reserves of the MCJC at 31 March 2025 are £462,237 along with a General Reserve of £389,084, giving a total reserves and balances position of £851,321 at the year end.

The report pack also included the Joint Committees Annual Governance and Accountability Return for the financial year ended 31 March 2025.

Performance and Operational Report

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on performance and operational matters at the crematorium, as detailed in the Mountsett Crematorium performance and operational report - July 25.

The report pack included data on the number of cremations performed between 1 April 2025 and 31 May 2025, with comparative data from the same period in the previous year. According to the report, there were 225 cremations undertaken during this period, compared to 233 in the comparable period last year, a decrease of 8 cremations.

The report pack also included data on the number and value of memorials sold in the period April to May 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. In overall terms the number and value of memorials sold of 30 / £6,915, compared to 25 / £6,278 in the same period last year shows an increase of 5 / £637.

The report noted that arrangements had been made for representation at the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management ICCM Learning Convention and Exhibition, and that Macmillan Cancer Support and Cruse Bereavement Care had been nominated as the death related charities for the second round of metal recycling for 2025.

The report pack also included a Crematorium Compliance Scheme Report from The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, which stated that the crematorium complied with the three key areas of compliance and that its service was excellent.

Forward Plan 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to consider a forward plan 2025-26 - Mountsett of meetings of the Joint Committee for the forthcoming year. The report pack included a proposed schedule of meetings for the remainder of 2025/26, showing a forward plan of reports that will be presented, including the reports for the next Annual General Meeting in June 2026.

Attendees

Councillor Kevin Dodds
Councillor Alex Geddes
Councillor Freda Geddes
Councillor Stuart Green
Councillor Maria Hall
Councillor Marilynn Ord
Profile image for Councillor Kathryn Rooney
Councillor Kathryn Rooney  Liberal Democrat

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

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