Purpose

The Bereavement Services
5-year Capital investment programme was approved by cabinet back in
July 2021.
 
Initially a 5-year
programme, following a review of all Council Capital the programme
has been reprofiled to 3 years, effectively making 2023/24 the
final year of investment under Bereavement Service’s
ownership.
 

General Fund Capital

2021/22

£’000

2022/23

£’000

2023/24

£’000

2024/25

£’000

2025/26

£’000

Total

£’000

Original

Reprofiled

495
(495)

100
(250)

100
(150)

100
(0)

450
(0)

1,245
(895)

Total

495

250

150

0

0

895

 
Going forward for future
years any investment projects that requires capital monies will
either be funded by Corporate Landlord from their capital programme
or be subject to a separate bidding process via the Councils
Capital Delivery Board.
 

In 2022/23 several projects were unable to be fully
completed, despite having been designed and ready to go and in some
cases initial phases started.  This
resulted in an underspend of £145k, which has been requested
to rollover into 2023/24.
 
The proposed programme for the next
financial year is summarised in the table below and is based on
three principles: (i) Condition works to address or prevent the
deterioration of the asset.  (ii) Health
and safety work to address legislative requirements and ensure that
assets remain safe for use and (iii) Investment to provide
improvements to the facility.

Bereavement Services Capital Plan – Proposed
Programme of Works (2023/24)

2023/24
 
£295k
(£150k budget
plus £145k rollover from 2022/23)

Cemeteries
Liversedge Cemetery
– parking/drainage and access improvements. – Project
carried over from 2022/23.
 
Kirkheaton -
Creation of a baby/child memorial area. Project phase 1 ground
remediation completed. Phase 2/3 carried over from
2022/23.
 
Hey Lane Cemetery
Layby Repairs - Project carried over from 2022/23
 

Crematoria
Huddersfield &
Dewsbury Crematoriums: Creation of a baby/child memorial gardens
– project identified on 2022/23, but unable to progress due
to time.
 
Replacement of
entrance Gates at Huddersfield & Dewsbury Crematoria –
New project
 
Huddersfield
Crematorium Car Park Improvements - New project.

 
In addition, and separate to this decision
there is also a strategic project forming to identify future burial
provision within the North of Kirklees. 
To date officers have engaged with the Bereavement forum with some
initial discussions.  In addition,
funding opportunities have also been sought through discussions
with the Councils Capital Delivery Board, which would be subject to
a separate report specific to future Council Capital funding.

Content

The Bereavement Services Capital programme
of works for 2023/24 was approved.
Within the budget envelope for 2023/24
financial year the Bereavement Service will be able to:

·        
Invest and maintain its portfolio of cemeteries and crematoria.
Ensure that works undertaken provide safe and
accessible facilities for visitors and families.