Agenda and minutes

          The Minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd September 2010 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board considered:

(1)      whether Members of the press and public should be excluded from the meeting of the Board during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it was likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be considered, exempt information would be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972; and

(2)      whether the disclosure of information was in the public interest, whether any relevant exemptions were applicable and whether, when applying the public interest test and exemptions, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed that in disclosing the information.

          RESOLVED: That as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business, exempt information will be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Adults and Community which outlined revisions to the Council’s policy on memorial safety testing in the light of new guidance issued by The Ministry of Justice. In addition, the report also assessed a partnership approach with Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council for the use of Widnes crematorium by Knowsley residents.

          Members were also updated on the progress in developing new cemetery space in Halton.

          In the meantime, due to a decline in burial space, it was recommended that to provide continuity of burial space, the pre-purchasing of graves be temporarily suspended pending the establishment of new cemetery space in both Runcorn and Widnes.

          It was further noted that in order to offer a new funeral service Bereavement Services were seeking to liaise with local funeral directors with the aim of offering a low cost, but dignified funeral service to local residents. This would enable families to have a simple, no frills, funeral package for an all inclusive price (to be negotiated).

          RESOLVED: That Members of the Committee

1.       approve:

·        The revised draft memorial safety policy; 

·        the principle of a partnership agreement with Knowsley for the provision of cremation services;

·        the principal of a temporary suspension of the policy allowing the pre purchase of graves;

·        the principle of offering a fixed price funeral option to Halton residents.

2.               note the progress on the establishment of new cemetery space; and

3.               further reports be submitted to the Executive Board Sub Committee providing detail on the temporary suspension of the pre purchasing of graves policy and the fixed price funeral option to Halton residents.

MINUTES ISSUED:  21^st October 2010

CALL IN:     28^th October 2010

Any matter decided by the Executive Board Sub Committee may be called in no later than 28^th October 2010