Decision details

To agree the preferred direction for the service to develop and approve work to develop a detailed business case.

Matter for Decision

The report considered future service delivery options for Bereavement Services in Cambridge, in the context of the Councils strategic objectives and its savings targets. A set of key principles for the design of the service and relevant financial objectives were set out.

Different organisational changes were considered, ranging from ‘no change’ to the current operational model to outright disposal of the service. It is proposed that moving the service onto a trading account and introducing a pricing strategy will best meet the Council’s financial and policy objectives.   On the basis of this recommendation a detailed business case will be developed, for further consideration and approval in the next budget round.

Decision of Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places

The Executive Councillor resolved:

     i.        to consider the options set out in the report and the financial projections for the service;

    ii.        to approve in principle, on the basis of the outline business case, a proposal for bereavement services that moves the service onto a trading account, in which surpluses over and above the required return to the General Fund can be ring-fenced for reinvestment in the service infrastructure; and

   iii.        to approve the development of a detailed pricing strategy and coherent plan that will be brought back to members to consider in October 2014.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Specialist Services.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

     i.        Expressed concern that ring fencing funding could result in a shortfall in the future.

    ii.        Suggested that the services would need to evolve in future.

   iii.        Suggested that predicting future death rates was problematic.

In response to Members’ questions the Head of Specialist Services stated that:

  iv.        The service would need to become more business focused in future.

   v.        Ring fencing of funding could be reversed in future if circumstances changed.

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.