STATES OF JERSEY
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Estates Management and Hotel Services
Crematorium - Proposed Charges for 2009
1. Background
1.1 The previous Health and Social Services Ministerial Decision dated 12th October 2007, copy attached (Appendix A), approved the Crematorium charges for 2008.
1.2 The previous Minister and Committee’s policy has been to increase the cremation charges by 10% per year, until further notice, until such time as the cost of the service is matched by the income received.
1.3 The annual 10% increase was supported by the Minister for Treasury and Resources last year and previously by the Finance and Economics Committee.
2. Present
2.1 The Minister is now required to approve charges for 2009 for an Order under the ‘Cremation (Jersey) Law 1953’ to be drafted.
2.2 The Minister should be aware of Code of Directions No. 24 which requires Departments to justify and gain approval of the Treasury and Resources Minister, any increase in charges of more than 2.5% per annum.
2.3 A cost report has been produced (Appendix B) which demonstrates the Crematorium Service run at a loss of £44,435 in 2007 and £24,374 from January to September 2008.
2.4 Despite the rising price of gas the nett cost of the Crematorium service has reduced significantly and it is hoped that within one to two years the service will be cost neutral, providing the fees continue to be increased above inflation over that period.
2.5 A comparison between charges made by Crematoria across the UK has been made which demonstrates Jersey, in the ‘Crematorium Fee League Table’, is 250th out of 253 published charges. Jersey has moved to fourth from bottom, compared to third from bottom last year, despite last years 10% increases (see Appendix C).
2.6 In line with last year it is proposed cremation charges rise by 10% in 2009 and that the cremation fee for persons 17 years old or younger should remain free of charge.
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3. Recommendations
3.1 Cremation fees:
The Minister is recommended to approve the fees as set out below, prescribed by Order made by the Minister for Health and Social Services under the provision of the Crematorium (Jersey) Law 1953.
| | Fee 2007 (£) | Current fee 2008 (£) | Proposed fee 2009 (£) |
a) | For the cremation of remains of a person aged seventeen years or less at death. | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
b) | For the cremation of remains of a person aged eighteen years or more at death. | 262.00 | 288.00 | 317.00 |
The Minister is recommended to seek the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources to increase the above cremation fees by more than the 2.5% limit set in Code of Directions No 24.
Subject to approval by the Minister for Treasury and Resources, request the Law Draftsman to arrange for the preparation of the necessary legislation to give effect to the variation in the fees from 1st January 2009.
3.2 Books of Remembrance and Memorial Cards:
The Minister is further recommended to approve the following charges for the Book of Remembrance and Memorial Cards which have also been increased by 10% and rounded up to the nearest 10p: -
Book of Remembrance | | | | |
| 2007 (£) | Current 2008 (£) | Proposed 2009 (£) |
Two line entry (minimum) + gold initial | 22.40 | 26.80 | 29.50 |
Five line entry + gold initial | 35.30 | 38.80 | 42.70 |
Eight line entry + gold initial | 45.70 | 52.50 | 57.75 |
Miniature Book of Remembrance (Leather bound plus box) |
| 2007 (£) | Current 2008 (£) | Proposed 2009 (£) |
Two line entry + gold initial | 42.10 | 46.30 | 51.00 |
Five line entry + gold initial | 50.50 | 55.50 | 61.00 |
Eight line entry + gold initial | 57.90 | 63.70 | 70.00 |
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Memorial Card | | | | |
| 2007 (£) | Current 2008 (£) | Proposed 2009 (£) |
Two line entry + gold initial | 11.70 | 12.90 | 14.20 |
Five line entry + gold initial | 19.00 | 21.00 | 23.10 |
Eight line entry + gold initial | 27.80 | 30.60 | 33.70 |
| | | |
Floral illustrations | 30.30 | 33.30 | 36.65 |
High rate illustration | 42.20 | 46.40 | 51.00 |
Personal photograph | 27.80 | 30.60 | 33.70 |
The Minister is recommended to seek the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources to increase the above charges by more than the 2.5% limit set in Code of Directions No 24.
Mr M Le Fevre
Director of Estates
29th October 2008
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