Purpose

The report provides an update on the business case for the Council’s Pet Cremation Service and seeks approval of a new set of Fees and Charges for the service, to ensure ongoing delivery of the service.

Decision

Recommendation(s):

THAT The Leader of the Council:
1) Notes the updated business case for the Pet Cremation Service at Appendix 1.

2) Agrees the introduction of revised fees and charges for the Pet Cremation Service as detailed in Appendix 2 with immediate effect in support of ongoing delivery of the service.

Reasons for the decision

To maintain a pet cremation service that makes an annual contribution to overheads in 2023/24 and in the medium term.

Alternative options considered

A lower income inflation increase could be applied, however this would not cover the significant increase in current fuel prices and other costs.

Alternatively prices could remain the same. This again wold not cover the significant increase in current fuel prices and other costs.

Recommendations could be made to cease the provision of the service, however, the business case demonstrates an increase in income which in 2022/23 in year has resulted in a small surplus with a break even point for the business within the next 3 years.