Issue - meetings

DECISION

1.    That the purchase of a temporary replacement cremator be approved.

2.    That a further report on the longer term solution be sought, including the potential addition of abatement, and invite Scrutiny to consider the report.     

3.    That an exemption from Contract and Procurement Procedure Rules Part 4 (Section H)be approved under 3.3.1 (2) because of an unforeseen event involving significant disruption to Council services.

Portfolio Holder and Officer

Cllr Stevens

CA

REASON FOR DECISION

Councillor Stevens presented a report, which sought Cabinet’s approval to purchase a temporary replacement cremator as an exemption from the Council’s contract and procedure rules.

Councillor Stevens had spoken previously about securing the future prosperity of the crematorium service and this remained her long term ambition. However, issues and events had occurred more recently requiring the urgent attention of Cabinet before those ambitions could be realised.

This was the first opportunity to bring a report before Cabinet since the maintenance company contracted to service the cremators entered administration in March. There was currently no contract maintenance in place and the condition of the cremators were such that no companies were willing to take them on.  This legacy of poor quality, poorly executed maintenance had left the Council with two cremators that were unreliable and temperamental in operation. This was a situation that staff on site could no longer manage and a risk the Council could not tolerate.

Doing nothing was not an option. The Council was exposed to unacceptable risk and potential failure of critical infrastructure. The Council had accrued capital in reserves that had been replenished by the service, and Cabinet was asked to exercise its discretion to use the funds to support the recommendations in this report. It was vital to act decisively and with urgency.

Councillor Stevens then proposed the recommendations in the report with minor amendments to the first two as follows:

1. To approve the purchase of a temporary replacement cremator, and
2. Seek a further report on the longer term solution, including the potential addition of abatement, and invite Scrutiny to consider the report.

Members commended the report and also the Portfolio Holder for her tireless work identifying the issues and ensuring that the matter was moved forward.

One Member requested further information after the meeting regardingwhy the fundamental flaws with the cremators had not been identified until August 2019. 

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

None.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.