Purpose

This report seeks an extension to the public health funerals contract for 1 year. The Council has a statutory duty to provide this service for the burial or cremation of persons whose demise is within the boundary of London Borough of Camden. This includes cases where no next of kin exists or is willing or able to arrange or fund the cost of a funeral. The 3-year contract with the Cooperative Funeral Care Ltd expired on 14th December 2024. The Coop agreed to extend their services at the prices quoted in the original tender in 2022 for 1 year expiring 14th December 2025 and have again agreed to extend the contract for the same prices for a further year until 14th December 2026.  This provides financial stability for the budget forecasting for the financial year 2025–2026.

Decision

(i)                 THAT the performance and good value of the contract and the justification for its extension be noted; and

(ii)                THAT the extension of the contract for a period of 1 year for the estimated sum of £140,000 be approved.