The Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery Board is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 23 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the previous meeting's minutes, the appointment of key board officers, and a detailed examination of the board's financial performance and governance for the 2025/26 financial year. Additionally, a report on client and contractor performance is anticipated.

Appointment of Treasurer

A key item on the agenda is the formal appointment of a new treasurer for the board. The report outlines the recommendation to appoint Gina James, Strategic Finance Business Partner for Environment, Civic Pride & Climate at the London Borough of Merton, to this role. This appointment is scheduled to take effect from 1 September 2026, following the retirement of the current treasurer. The role of treasurer is a formal part-time position crucial for the board's financial oversight.

MSJC Abstract of Accounts 2025/26

The board is set to review the Abstract of Accounts for the financial year 2025/26. This report details the financial performance of the Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery Board (MSJC), adhering to the CIPFA Accounting Code of Practice and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The accounts indicate a deficit of £195,755 for the year. Significant variances from the budget are noted in areas such as running expenses and income, with a reduction in rent to iDverde and Glendales to a peppercorn rate being a key factor in managing VAT claims. The report also includes revised revenue estimates for 2026/27 and the Risk Register as of June 2026. The accounts will be available for public inspection for a six-week period over the summer of 2026.

Annual Governance Statement 2025/26

The board is scheduled to consider the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2025/26. This statutory document provides assurance that the MSJC's business is conducted in accordance with legal requirements and proper standards, ensuring public money is safeguarded and used economically, efficiently, and effectively. The statement confirms the adoption of a code of corporate governance consistent with the CIPFA/SOLACE Framework Delivering Good Governance in Local Government (2016) . The AGS explains how the board has complied with this code, drawing on the systems and procedures of the London Borough of Merton. It highlights the importance of ethical values, developing capacity, defining outcomes, managing risks, transparency, stakeholder engagement, and determining necessary interventions to achieve objectives. The statement notes that the Head of Internal Audit provided Reasonable Assurance over the governance, risk management, and internal control arrangements for 2025-26.

Client and Contractor Report

A report concerning the relationship with the board's clients and contractors is also scheduled for discussion. The specific details of this report are to follow.

Appointment of Chair and Deputy Chair for 2026/27

The agenda includes the appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair for the upcoming 2026/27 term. Councillor Joan Henry is listed as the current Chair, and Councillor Rob Beck as the Vice-Chair.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes from the previous meeting of the Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery Board are to be presented for confirmation. These minutes, dated 4 March 2026, were previously agreed as a true and accurate record.