Costs across the country for cremation are likely to increase as councils, like Harrogate, respond to new government statutory guidance.  Over the past five years, mercury emission into the atmosphere caused by dental fillings has been under investigation by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).  The department has now assessed that about 16 per cent of mercury emissions in the UK is from crematoria, primarily from dental amalgam. 

 

All local authorities that run cremation services now have until 31 December this year to come up with plans on how they will reduce these emissions. The statutory guidance requires a national 50% reduction by 2012 and it looks like the government has committed itself to bringing about 100% cessation by the year 2020.

 

Harrogate's crematorium opened in 1936 and subsequently the council has kept the cremation service for the district to the very highest standards.  The council complied with new legislation in 1990 when all crematoria had to upgrade their cremators and flue systems to comply with the control of pollutants and emissions as set out under the Environmental Protection Act. 

 

The council's Cabinet will next week hear from their Bereavement Services Manager to discuss plans on how the council should prepare for compliance under these new regulations and, at the same, time minimise the extra burden for families on the cost of cremation. 

 

The new guidance calls on councils to introduce new flue cleaning measures which will bring about abatement of mercury emission.  Mercury, which accumulates in the air and in water can harm the brain, kidneys and nervous system and can affect unborn babies.

 

Councillor Pat Jones, Executive Member with responsibility for the service, acknowledges that any work carried out on the cremators is disruptive and distressing for families and will be asking the Cabinet to consider carrying out work to both cremators at the same time and thereby become 100% compliant by 2009 ahead of the government's timetable.  She said: "This is another government instruction to spend local tax payers' money in order to comply with new legislation but with no increase in government grant.  In order for us to finance the cost of achieving mercury abatement, we will be considering phasing increases over the next few years.  The additional income will then be set aside to finance the necessary work.  The installing of abatement equipment at Stonefall is the safest way forward in improving Harrogate's environment and wellbeing and help us meet our legal obligations.  We also believe it will be more cost effective to do it earlier rather than leave it till 2012 as demand from local authorities will grow and manufacturers may not be able to deliver.  There is also the unknown quantity of increased costs within the manufacturing industry".

 

Stonefall crematorium currently carries out about 1450 cremations a year and has the only two cremators in the district.  Because of recent upgrading, they would not normally have been ready for replacement until 2015.

The investment needed estimated at today's costs is in the region of £450,000.

 

If approved, on Wednesday, 19 October, the cost for a cremation will rise by a further 10% for the next three years over and above the normal 5% annual increase in costs.  The figures in brackets show what the charges would have been under the normal 5% annual increase.

 

2006/7 £437 (£399)

2007/8  £503 (£419)

2008/9 £578 (£440)

There will be a need to review the charges again beyond 2008/9.

 

The service is required to be self supporting and will be kept under review to ensure that overall no profit accrues from this project.

 

ENDS