The North East Surrey Crematorium Board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 23 June 2026. The meeting will cover the Surveyor's and Treasurer's reports, which include updates on crematorium management, ongoing projects, and financial performance. The Board will also address the appointment of its Chair and Vice Chair for the upcoming year.

Report of the Surveyor

The Surveyor's report is expected to provide an update on the management of the crematorium for the period of March to April 2026. This includes details on cremation statistics, with the financial year 2025/26 seeing 1,930 cremations, close to the target of 1,950. The report will also cover the progress of several key projects.

One significant project is the installation of a new pedestrian pathway at Morden Cemetery. This project aims to provide a safe and accessible route from the main entrance to the chapels, addressing the current shared use of the carriageway by pedestrians and vehicles. The report details the proposed materials, including a resin-bound permeable surfacing, and outlines the legal agreement required with Wandsworth Council for works on council land. The estimated cost for this pathway is approximately £194,000.

Another project update concerns the Tree of Life fountain. Following challenges in finding a contractor, a specialised firm has been identified. The report outlines three options for its upgrade, ranging from a mechanical upgrade only to a full scope including mosaic tiles and a new base, with costs estimated between £25,000 and £40,000. The aim is to resolve maintenance issues and improve aesthetics.

Additionally, the report will cover the installation of PV panels on the Building of Remembrance, with an estimated cost of £30,000 and projected electricity savings over 20 years. The Surveyor's report also includes an action plan detailing ongoing tasks and progress, such as ensuring compliance with regulations and developing a structured feedback process for funeral directors.

Report of the Treasurer

The Treasurer's report will provide a comprehensive financial update for the Board. It includes the Annual Review of Internal Control, which offers a reasonable assurance opinion on the effectiveness of the Board's internal control systems. Recommendations from the review include increasing the frequency of bank reconciliations to a monthly basis and updating the North East Surrey Crematorium Board's (NESCB) website with a clear Privacy Notice compliant with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

The report also details progress against Major Works & Projects for 2025/26, noting a projected underspend of £3,708 against an approved budget of £47,000. Schemes that are delayed will have their residual budgets rolled forward.

Performance against the Management Agreement for 2025/26 shows a full-year underspend of £69,619 against an approved budget of £785,300. The Board's Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2026 will be presented for approval, showing a surplus of £503,115 for the year and retained funds totalling £1,217,267. A significant portion of this, £850,000, has been set aside in the Cremator Replacement Reserve.

Finally, the report addresses the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for the year ending 31 March 2026. The Board will be asked to approve Section 1 (Annual Governance Statement) and Section 2 (Accounting Statements) of the AGAR. The Treasurer's report highlights the importance of these statements for transparency and accountability, as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

Other Agenda Items

The meeting will also include standard procedural items such as welcome and introductions, apologies for absence, and declarations of interest. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 March 2026 are to be approved. A significant item will be the appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair for the upcoming year, with the convention being that these roles rotate between the constituent authorities: London Borough of Sutton, London Borough of Wandsworth, and London Borough of Merton. The Chair for 2026/27 is expected to be elected from the London Borough of Sutton councillors, and the Vice Chair from the London Borough of Wandsworth councillors. The Board may also consider excluding the press and public for specific items if they involve the disclosure of exempt information. The date of the next meeting is scheduled for 8 September 2026.