Agenda and minutes

- to consider the proposed scheme

The Head of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on options available for the disposal of metal residues as a result of the cremation process in accordance with waste management legislation.

The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management had recently conducted research into the matter of disposing  of metal residues separated from cremated remains following the cremation process.  This  followed a statement from the Environment Agency that the current method of disposing of metals within the crematorium grounds was illegal.  Advice had now been obtained by the Institute from Counsel and the Environment Agency with the following options now available to the crematoria:-

1.         Not to separate the metal from cremated remains following a cremation.  This would create practical problems as the existing plant used for refining remains into powder could not deal with refining metals.  There would be obvious difficulty in the remains therefore being scattered onto open ground at the Crematorium or elsewhere.

2.         To routinely return separated metals to the bereaved families.  This would be an unacceptable practice because it would be upsetting and place a burden of disposal of metals residue upon the bereaved.

3.         To recycle the metals in an environmentally friendly way in accordance with the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s Guiding Principles.

Option 3 would be the sensible approach which had been confirmed by an unanimous vote at the Joint Burial and Cremation Authorities Conference.  It was proposed to undertake local consultation in January with key stakeholders at the Cemetery and Crematorium Liaison Group where consideration would also be given to the most appropriate means of informing the bereaved. 

The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management had provided a model form for completion by applications for cremation but it may be more appropriate to issue an environmental statement to all applicants with information on how to opt out of the scheme should they so wish.

A list of questions and answers abut the scheme, provided by the Institute, was attached as Appendix 1.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the research of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management be noted and their proposed scheme to recycle metal products following cremation.

(2)  That the Rotherham Crematorium express an interest in joining the scheme to be administered by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management.

(3)  That, prior to joining the scheme, a consultation exercise with funeral directors and other key stakeholders be held to introduce the scheme to explore means of informing applicants for cremation of the procedure for recycling metal residues.  The views of the Cemetery and Crematorium Liaison Group be reported to the Cabinet Member for final consideration.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs indicated below of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972:-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs indicated below of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Act – proposed purchasing costs for the provision of work/negotiation of terms)

The Manager and Registrar presented the Service Improvement Plan for the Cemeteries and Crematorium Service which aimed to position Rotherham as a provider of high quality and effective bereavement service.

It was the intention to use the Plan as the basis for consultation during soft market testing with potential private sector organisations who may wish to enter into a partnership with the Council to provide bereavement services.  It would also provide an opportunity for the Authority to obtain an insight into how service providers might approach the delivery of the service in question or how they might address particular local circumstances that may impact on the services or proposals more generally.

The timetable for the procurement was set out in Appendix 2.

It was noted that the Plan was to be submitted for consideration to the Environment Scrutiny Panel on 13^th January, 2005.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Service Improvement Plan be noted.

(2)  That the Service Improvement Plan be approved as a key document to be used as consultation during soft market testing, seeking potential partners to assist in the delivery of Bereavement Services in Rotherham.

(3)  That the projected timetable for exploring partnership arrangements in the delivery of Bereavement Services in Rotherham be noted.

(4)  That a further report be submitted upon completion of the soft market testing exercise.

(5)  That investigations take place into the effect, if any, the possible partnering arrangement may have with RBT with a further report being submitted thereon.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Act – proposed purchasing costs for the provision of work/negotiation of terms)

(Exempt under Paragraph 7 of the Act – financial/business affairs of a company other than the Authority)

The Head of Housing Services presented a report on the pilot Family Mediation Service which had been operating within the Homelessness Team since April, 2004.

For the first 3 months, the Service had been operated on an appointment basis arranged through the Homelessness Team.  From July, 2004, that approach had been changed to 2 drop in sessions per week.  In total 13 people had actually participated fully in the mediation process, with 2 of the cases being successfully resolved.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and the results of the pilot Mediation Service to date be noted.

(2)  That the Family Mediation Service be continued with a further report submitted after 12 months of operation.

(Exempt under Paragraph 7 of the Act – financial/business affairs of a company other than the Council)

(Exempt under Paragraph 4 of the Act – services provided by the Council)

Further to Minute No. 117 of the Cabinet Member meeting held on 29^th November, 2004, the Manager and Registrar submitted a report regarding the issues raised by petitioners relating to their dissatisfaction with action being taken to enforce the Council’s policy over lawned graves in MaltbyCemetery.

The action being taken was necessary to ensure that visitors to the Cemetery could have access without having to negotiate the kerbstones, planting and channels that had been formed in the lawn areas.  A complaint had been received recently from a wheelchair user who had been unable to negotiate around the grave that she visited because of obstructions.

Following an audit of the grave spaces, 43 letters had been sent out to owners of the rights of burial within the graves concerned.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the intended action to remove obstructions from lawned areas early in 2005 be noted.

(2)  That the Ward Members and Kevin Barron, M.P., be notified when the work commences.

(3)  That the leaflet provided upon the purchase of a grave be updated and amended to clearly state what was and was not allowed in a cemetery.

(Exempt under Paragraph 4 of the Act – services provided by the Council)

J. Bloy and T. Bell to report.

-           to inform Members of progress and future issues.

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – contains contractual information)

The Housing Market Renewal Team Leader presented a report setting out the progress being made against the current programme and identified future issues.

The Programme was geographically targeted at 5 areas of Rotherham which each had an Area Development Framework, one of which was for the Town Centre.  It was now considered to be difficult to achieve the anticipated outputs within the original time frame for the latter.  Detailed discussions had commenced with the Chair and Director of the Transform SY Board to ensure deliver of required expenditure and outputs in Rotherham.  They had given a commitment to support the scheme financially in future years. 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted .

(2)  That a meeting be held between the Cabinet Members for Economic and Development Services and Housing and Environmental Services to discuss the matter further.

(3)  That a letter be sent to the Chair and Director of the Transform SY Board seeking confirmation of their commitment to support the scheme financially in future years.

(4)  That when the 4 Steering Groups are established Ward Members should be kept informed by invitations to meetings and receipt of minutes of meetings.

(5)  That the Forward Plan include the key decisions that need to be made with regard to the Pathfinder to emphasise to Members the importance of their engagement.

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – negotiation of terms for the supply of goods/services)