The Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee was scheduled to discuss the crematorium's operational performance, financial monitoring, and the proposed budget for the upcoming year. Key agenda items included reviewing the crematorium's performance, financial reports, and the provision of support services, alongside setting fees and charges and approving the revenue budget for 2026/27.

Quarterly Performance and Operational Report

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the crematorium's performance and operational matters. This included data on the number of cremations undertaken between September and December 2025, showing an increase compared to the same period in the previous year. The report also detailed the sales of memorials, noting a decrease in both number and value compared to the previous year. Information was also to be provided regarding staffing changes, with the retirement of the crematorium site manager and the subsequent appointment of a crematorium attendant to the role, necessitating the replacement of that attendant. The report was also to cover the application for the Green Flag Award in 2026 and the nomination of charities for the recycling of metals scheme.

Financial Monitoring Report

A report was scheduled to provide details of the projected outturn position for the financial year 2025/26 and the anticipated level of reserves and balances at 31 March 2026. The projected revenue outturn indicated a surplus of £582,622 against a budgeted surplus of £420,132, an increase of £162,490. This was attributed to a higher number of cremations than projected. The report also detailed the required transfers to reserves in line with the Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee (MCJC) Reserve Policy, aiming to maintain a General Reserve of 30% of the income budget. The forecast total reserves and balances at the year-end were projected to be £1,083,943.

Provision of Support Services 2026/27

The committee was to consider the proposed Service Level Agreement (SLA) for support services provided by Durham County Council to the Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee for the period April 2026 to March 2027. This SLA covers functions including management, financial, administration, creditor, payroll, and human resources services. The proposed charge for 2026/27 was £29,640, representing a 4.0% increase on the recharges from 2025/26, which accounts for inflation and the time spent by the Neighbourhood Protection Manager.

Fees and Charges 2026/27

This agenda item focused on the proposed fees and charges for Mountsett Crematorium for the 2026/27 financial year. The report highlighted that fees and charges were harmonised with Central Durham Crematorium following Local Government Reorganisation in 2009. A proposed increase of £50 per cremation was recommended, bringing the total fee to £1,025, which would still remain competitive with neighbouring facilities. The report also detailed proposed increases for various memorial fees, visual tribute fees, and additional charges, while keeping direct cremation charges unchanged to remain competitive. The report included a schedule of proposed charges and a benchmarking comparison with other regional crematoria.

Revenue Budget 2026/27

The committee was presented with proposals for the 2026/27 revenue budget for Mountsett Crematorium. The budget had been developed considering the proposed fees and charges, the 2025/26 forecast outturn, and anticipated expenditure pressures. Key changes from the 2025/26 budget included an increase in employee costs to account for the 2026/27 pay award and estimated overtime. The premises budget saw a significant increase due to scheduled works outlined in the Service Asset Management Plan, alongside a decrease in utility budgets based on recent expenditure trends. The income budget was increased due to a combination of a prudent assumption on cremation numbers and increased cremation charges. The report also outlined the proposed surplus redistribution to Durham County Council and Gateshead Council, and detailed the projected transfers to and from earmarked reserves, including the Repairs Reserve, Cremator Reserve, and General Reserve. The estimated total reserves at 31 March 2027 were projected to be £957,148.