The Portchester Crematorium Joint Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss a range of topics, including updates on building repairs and renewal programmes, the replacement of cremators, and a review of the crematorium's carbon reduction plan. Members will also consider proposed revisions to walk-through fees and updates to the crematorium grounds.

Crematorium Refurbishment Programme

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the Crematorium Refurbishment Programme 2025-2027, which aims to ensure the site, facilities and services continue to be developed to keep pace with public expectations and remain competitive in the local market for cremation services .

The report details proposed works to the South Chapel to further improve the facilities to ensure they align with those currently provided in the North Chapel. According to the report pack, investigations were made into various options to make the best use of available space, but the options did not work operationally, would be operationally disruptive in the delivery of the works, and would significantly exceed the available budget and introduced health and safety risks.

The proposed work would utilise the space released by the removal of the proscenium arch and curtain arrangement to provide additional seating space. The raised area will be revised to allow access to a new catafalque suitable for bariatric funeral services. New seating will be provided in place of the existing pews with individual seating in a similar arrangement to that provided in the North Chapel, and new curtain arrangements will be provided for the area around the catafalque.

The report pack also states that a new catafalque has been installed in the North Chapel suitable to accommodate bariatric services.

The committee will also discuss the refurbishment of the main toilet facilities to ensure they achieve a similar standard to a new crematorium, and the development of a revised scheme to provide a new Garden of Contemplation.

The budget for this programme is £362,000.00, funded in both the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 financial years.

Carbon Reduction Plan

The committee is scheduled to discuss the Annual Update and Review of the Carbon Reduction Plan 2022. The report pack includes a table showing the results for the period April 2020 to March 2025, with last year's figures in bold.

The report pack states that Scope 1 emissions from the use of gas are primarily related to the cremation process and have shown a significant decrease in the year. It also states that Scope 2 emissions attributed to site electricity have also shown a significant decrease, which will be due to the use of more low energy equipment such as improved lighting that has now been installed across the site.

The report also sets out a series of steps which the council plans to take to reduce carbon emissions, including:

• Operating cremators as efficiently as possible, including the use of the hold-over facility.
• Ensuring any investment in the site considers energy-efficient measures to reduce energy use.
• Making investigations into the introduction of harvesting water on site for reuse.
• Carrying out assessments for the installation of solar electricity panels within the site.
• Working with the grounds maintenance contractor to understand how revised procedures can reduce energy use.
• Continuing to monitor the demand for electric vehicle charging points and look at viable options to provide if required.
• Continuing to monitor the availability of external funding schemes to support and further reduce the use of energy at the Crematorium.
• Continuing to investigate and bring forward an offsetting scheme to the Joint Committee.

The report pack concludes that Scope 1 emissions in the 3-year period 2022/23 to 2024/25 have reduced by nearly 48% from 486.24 to 254.98 tCO2e, and that Scope 2 emissions in the same period have reduced by 17% from 61.50 to 50.75 tCO2e. Overall emissions (scope 1 and scope 2) in the 3-year period 2022/23 to 2024/25 have reduced by 44% from 547.74 to 305.73 tCO2e.

Replacement of Cremators

The committee is scheduled to receive an update report on the Replacement of Cremators. The report covers the period June to August 2025.

The report pack states that the remaining two new cremators have now been built and lined, and all ducting works are now complete. Works are in progress to connect the new units to required utilities prior to commissioning. Building and finishing works to the cremator hall, including the new cremulator room have progressed well.

The components of the two new cremators and associated plant was delivered to site as planned. Assembly of the units is now complete, and cremators have now been moved into their final position, allowing all required ducting and utility connection works to be carried out.

The report pack states that it remains the plan to commission the remaining two new cremators during September with all works completed by the end of the month, and that currently projected costs remain within the allocated budget of £4.5m agreed at the Joint Committee meeting on the 20th March 2023.

Walk Through Fees 2025/26

The committee is scheduled to discuss proposed revisions to walk through fees for 2025/26. The report pack states that the Joint Committee approves cremation fees and optional charges based on budget and resource information reported to the Joint Committee at the December cycle of meetings, and that at the meeting held 9 December 2024 the Joint Committee approved a walkthrough cremation fee of £450.

The report pack states that the crematorium is currently experiencing a decline in the demand for walkthrough services arranged with local funeral directors, and that in order to remain competitive it is proposed that authority be granted to the Manager and Registrar to enter into dialogue with local funeral directors to negotiate terms for the offer of a price reduction in order to increase walk through numbers.

The report pack includes a table showing the number of walk through services for each month from April to August, from 2021/22 to 2025/26.

Other Business

• The committee will discuss the Building Repairs and Renewal Programme.
• The committee will receive the Manager and Registrar's Report, including general statistical reports and other items of topical interest.
• The committee will receive a general update on the Crematorium Grounds from the Horticultural Consultant, Steve Uden.