The Environment and Communities Committee convened to discuss the first financial review of 2025/26, and to approve amendments to the Bereavement Services Policy. The committee approved recommendations within the financial review, and also approved changes to the policy regarding pre-need grave sales and memorial safety.

First Financial Review of 2025/26

The committee reviewed the First Financial Review of 2025/26, which provided an update on the council's financial performance based on income, expenditure and commitments as of June 2025. The review also outlined actions being taken to address financial challenges and improve the council's financial sustainability.

Key points from the review included:

• A forecast adverse net revenue financial pressure of £3.1 million against a revised budget of £440.5 million (0.7%).
• In-year forecast capital spending of £205.5 million against an increased capital budget of £208.5 million.
• A request for council to approve supplementary revenue estimate requests for additional grant funding over £1 million, as detailed in Annex 1, Section 3, Table 1.
• A request to approve supplementary revenue estimate requests for additional grant funding over £500,000 and up to £1 million, as detailed in Annex 1, Section 3, Table 2.
• Noting the available reserves position as per Annex 1, Section 5.

The committee queried whether the forecasted underspend was due to operational efficiencies or transfers from the transformation budget. Officers clarified that the underspend was a combination of Exceptional Financial Support¹, operational efficiencies, one off grants and contributions from the transformation programme.

The committee also sought clarification on the variance between projected and actual transformation savings. Officers explained that the pessimistic scenario reflected the most cautious outlook, and that the savings were crosscutting and would be realised over time as transformation projects were implemented across directorates.

The committee unanimously approved the recommendations:

1. Noting the factors leading to a forecast adverse Net Revenue financial pressure of £3.1m against a revised budget of £440.5m (0.7%), the contents of Annex 1, Section 2, and progress on the delivery of the MTFS approved budget policy change items.
2. Noting the in-year forecast capital spending of £205.5m against an increased capital budget of £208.5m.
3. Noting that the council will be asked to approve the Supplementary Revenue Estimate Request for Allocation of Additional Grant Funding over £1,000,000 as per Annex 1, Section 3, Table 1.
4. Approving the Supplementary Revenue Estimate Requests for Allocation of Additional Grant Funding over £500,000 and up to £1,000,000 as per Annex 1, Section 3, Table 2.
5. Noting the available reserves position as per Annex 1, Section 5.

Bereavement Services Policy Amendments

The committee considered a report regarding proposed amendments to the Bereavement Services Policy, including policies on pre-purchase grave sales, memorial safety, and unauthorised memorials.

The committee approved the following recommendations:

1. Suspending the pre-need sale of graves when a cemetery reaches 5-year capacity remaining, rather than 20 years.
2. Approving the Memorial Safety Policy as detailed in Appendix A of the report.
3. Noting the council's approach to unauthorised memorials.

During the discussion, the committee raised concerns about the sensitive handling of unauthorised memorials, particularly in cases involving young people and grieving families. Officers assured the committee that engagement and communication would precede any enforcement, and that flexibility would be shown, particularly around the time of funerals.

The committee also noted that the policy did not require complete removal of items but sought to manage the volume and placement of memorials to maintain cemetery standards.

Concerns were raised regarding the 10% premium on the price of pre-purchased graves, with committee members questioning value for money. Officers responded that historical comparisons suggested pre-purchase remained a good investment and that the premium aligned with practices across other local authorities.

The committee noted that the Equality Impact Assessment identified potential impacts on the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community due to their cultural mourning practices. Officers confirmed that these practices remained respected and accommodated within the revised policy framework.

Refuse Collections Update

The committee received a verbal update on the current status of the waste collection service. The service handles approximately 250,000 bins per week, including residential, commercial, and assisted collections. Recent operational pressures had included staff shortages and vehicle fires.

The committee was informed of ongoing staffing shortages, both drivers and loaders, which had led to missed collections. Recruitment is underway, but the competitive market for drivers posed some challenges. Recent issues had been exacerbated by peak holiday periods and sickness absences.

The committee noted that a serious fire had occurred in the back of a refuse collection vehicle in Macclesfield, which had been suspected to be caused by batteries disposed of in household waste. This incident highlighted the need for public education on proper waste disposal.

The committee suggested improved communication with residents, enhanced training for staff, and collaboration with the fire brigade. The importance of route knowledge for drivers, especially in rural areas, was also emphasized.

Work Programme

The committee considered the work programme and requested that officers refer back to June committee minutes in relation to items to be added to the work programme, and follow up on the Cleaner Crewe Project due for circulation as a briefing report via the Members Hub.