Greater Gwent Cremation Joint Committee

It approved the crematorium's 2026-27 revenue budget, agreed a 2% rise in cremation fees, agreed a £450,000 distribution for 2025-26, and chose how to allocate money from a recycled metal scheme to three bereavement charities. It also heard updates on facilities, including the change from Newport Norse to Cyson Cymru, and noted the Manager's report.

Some sentences of this summary are missing in English, because an older automatic check removed them from the English only. The Welsh version has them.

1. 2026-27 crematorium budget and fees

   Decided

   The Committee approved the 2026-27 revenue budget for the crematorium. It agreed a 2% increase in cremation fees and charges for 2026-27. It agreed a distribution of £450,000 for 2025-26.

   Why

   The minute gives no reasons for these decisions. The Finance Business Partner - Systems presented a summary of the report. A revenue budget is the money set aside for day-to-day running costs, as opposed to capital spending on buildings.

   Based on the minutes

2. Recycled metal scheme: charity donations

   Decided

   The Committee selected option three in the report. This allocates the donated money to Hospice of the Valleys, Newport and Gwent Samaritans, and Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide.

   Why

   The minute does not say why option three was chosen or what the other options were. The Bereavement Team Manager presented a summary of the report.

   Based on the minutes

3. Facilities management update

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The Cyson Cymru representative explained that a new local authority trading company (LATCO), a company set up by councils to deliver services, had replaced Newport Norse. The representative then presented a summary of ongoing and planned works at the crematorium. The minute records no decision.

   Based on the minutes

4. Funeral directors' report

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The Funeral Director asked for clarification on the change from Newport Norse to Cyson Cymru. The minute does not record the answer or any decision.

   Based on the minutes

5. Manager's report

   Decided

   The Committee noted the contents of the report.

   Why

   The Team Manager-Bereavement presented a summary of the report. The minute gives no further detail.

   Based on the minutes

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 1

   Apologies for Absence

   Minute

   Councillor S Ashley (Torfaen)

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   None.

3. 3

   Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   Minute

   Were approved as a true and accurate record.

   Papers: Minutes of the Previous Meeting
4. 4

   Budget Proposals 2026-27 and Fees Review

   Minute

   The Finance Business Partner - Systems with Finance IT Project responsibilities presented a summary of the report. The Committee: § Approved the 2026-27 revenue budget for the crematorium, § Agreed the recommendation of a 2% increase in cremation fees and charges be applied for the financial year 2026-27. § Agreed a distribution of £450,000 for the financial year 2025-26.

   Papers: Budget Proposals 2026-27 and Fees Review
5. 5

   Recycled Metal Scheme

   Minute

   The Bereavement Team Manager presented a summary of the report. The committee selected option three within the report, which would allocate the donated Money to the following charities: § Hospice of the Valleys § Newport and Gwent Samaritans § Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Recycled Metal Scheme
6. 6

   Facilities Management

   Minute

   The Cyson Cymru representative explained the new LATCO (Local Authority Trading Company) had replaced Newport Norse. The Cyson Cymru representative presented a summary, outlining ongoing and planned works within the crematorium.

   Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings

7. 7

   Funeral Director's Report

   Minute

   The Funeral Director sought clarification on the transition from Newport Norse to Cyson Cymru.

   Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings

8. 8

   Manager's Report

   Minute

   The Team Manager-Bereavement presented a summary of the report. The Committee noted the contents of the report.

   Papers: Crematorium Manager Report January 2026

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

• Rhian Howells, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Yvonne Forsey, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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