Agenda and draft minutes

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 October 2025.

The minutes were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To provide the Joint Committee with an update on the Christmas service of remembrance, Carols by Candlelight 2025.

The Strategic Business Development Manager updated the Joint Committee on the annual Christmas Service of Remembrance, Carols by Candlelight, held on Friday, 5 December 2025.

The Strategic Business Development Manager reported that the event was well attended, with over 154 people present, making it the best attended service to date. The event received positive feedback and Members were referred to the comments on page 16 of the report.

The Strategic Business Development Manager also confirmed that preparations for the 2026 event were already underway. The Joint Committee queried whether it would be beneficial to hold two services in 2026 to accommodate the high level of interest.

The Strategic Business Development Manager confirmed that the team was exploring the possibility of holding both a daytime and an evening service.

The Joint Committee congratulated the Strategic Business Development Manager and his team on the success of the event.

To provide the Joint Committee with an update on performance and marketing.

The Joint Committee noted the Marketing and Performance Strategy Report.

The Strategic Business Development Manager highlighted the number of fee charging cremations and Members were referred to page 23 of the report.

It was noted that the number of fee charging cremations facilitated at Bramcote Crematorium between 1 April 2025 and 31 December 2025 in the core, targeted and out of area had decreased by 87 compared to the same period 2024/25, resulting in 1,549 fee charging cremations.

Reference was also made to the death rate figures on page 24 of the report, including the predicted decline in death rates as reported by the Office for National Statistics.

The Joint Committee welcomed the strategic operational improvement in respect of enhanced energy efficiency and the reduction in gas usage, as highlighted on page 27 of the report.

To provide the Joint Committee with a verbal update regarding the cremator replacement.

The Strategic Business Development Manager updated the Joint Committee on the Replacement Cremators.

The Joint Committee was advised that the final sign off next is due to take place mid- next week. The Joint Committee was also updated on the compensation request and the maintenance contract. Members were advised that the contract is currently being renegotiated, as it had not been executed effectively.

To seek approval of the charitable organisation which will receive the charitable donation in 2026/27 from the funds raised through the metals recycling scheme.

The Strategic Business Development Manager presented the Charitable Donations 2026/27 report.

It was noted that the metals recycling scheme run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management is a successful scheme, generating substantial income for charities.

Members were referred to the five bereavement charities that had approached Bramcote Crematorium, requesting consideration for a donation in 2026/27.

The Joint Committee agreed to offer the 2026/27 charitable donation from the funds raised through the metals recycling scheme by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management to the four bereavement charities local to Broxtowe and Erewash:

·        The Helpful Bureau

·        Cruse Bereavement Support Nottinghamshire

·        Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

·        Rainbows Hospice

RESOLVED that the Helpful Bureau, Cruse Bereavement Support Nottinghamshire, Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide, and Rainbows Hospice each receive monies from the funds raised in 2026/27 through the metals recycling scheme by Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management.

To seek approval of the proposed revenue budget for 2026/27, together with the revised estimate for the current financial year, in accordance with the service objective of providing efficient arrangements for funeral directors and clergy which meet the need of their service users at a reasonable cost.

The Interim Deputy Chief Executive presented the report.

The Joint Committee was advised that the report sought approval for the proposed revenue budget for 2026/27, together with the revised estimate for the 2025/26 financial year.

The Interim Deputy Chief Executive was pleased to report that the proposed surplus distribution of £450,000 for the current year remains as planned.

The Joint Committee was also updated on the new year budget, with cremation fee income highlighted as the most significant income stream. Members were also updated on other fees and charges including memorialisation. It was noted that, at this stage, there are no new capital development proposals.

RESOLVED to APPROVE:

·    The revised estimate for 2025/26 and the base budget for 2026/27.

·    The fees and charges.

·    Distribute a total amount of £900,000 to the constituent authorities in 2025/26 and the same amount of £900,000 to the constituent authorities in 2026/27.

To seek approval of a Medium-Term Financial Strategy for Bramcote Crematorium through to 2029/30 in accordance with the service objective of providing efficient arrangements for funeral directors and clergy which meet the need of their service users, at a reasonable cost.

The Interim Deputy Chief Executive presented the report.

The Joint Committee was advised that the report sought approval of a Medium-Term Financial Strategy for Bramcote Crematorium through to 2029/30 in accordance with the service objective of providing efficient arrangements for funeral directors and clergy which meet the need of their service users, at a reasonable cost.

RESOLVED to APPROVE the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for Bramcote Crematorium.

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

The Joint Committee noted the Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press 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 paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press 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 paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Joint Committee received a verbal on the Business Growth report.