Decision details

To seek approval for capital investment in the Teesside Crematorium Cremator Refurbishment Programme and the implementation of a programme to refurbish and upgrade the existing cremator plant, associated mechanical and electrical improvements, and structural alterations and environmental enhancement works.

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Approve the inclusion of the Teesside Crematorium Cremator Refurbishment Programme in the Council’s Capital Programme, and the allocation of capital funding from existing Council funded capital resources to deliver the project.

2.     Approve the implementation of the proposed programme of works, including cremator refurbishment, refractory replacement, installation of operational bypass flues, NOx abatement technology, emissions monitoring upgrades, mechanical and electrical improvements, and associated structural alterations.

AGREED that Executive:

3.     Noted the findings of the independent condition assessment and options appraisal, including the operational, environmental and compliance risks associated with maintaining the existing infrastructure without investment.

4.     Noted that the proposed investment would extend the operational life of the existing cremator plant by at least ten years, improve service resilience, support compliance with DEFRA Process Guidance Note PG5/2(25), and reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by approximately 65%.

REASONS

Teesside Crematorium was a critical public service, and investment was required to maintain the reliability, resilience and compliance of the existing cremator infrastructure.

An independent technical assessment of the existing cremators had identified ageing infrastructure, deteriorating refractory linings, reduced contingency capacity and upcoming environmental compliance requirements as key risks requiring immediate intervention.

The proposed refurbishment and upgrade programme recommended within the technical assessment would extend the operational life of the cremator plant by up to ten years, improve environmental performance, strengthen business continuity arrangements, and ensure compliance with current and future regulatory requirements.

Failure to proceed would increase the risk of service disruption, contribute to equipment failure, regulatory non-compliance and higher maintenance costs, as well as the potential for irreparable reputational damage to the Council.

The recommended investment represented the most proportionate and cost-effective solution to safeguard the long-term delivery of cremation services for residents of Middlesbrough and the wider Tees Valley.

The proposal contributed directly to the mitigation of Corporate Risk DR-05-035 (Crematorium – Lifespan and Replacement by 2030). The risk identified the potential failure of crematorium infrastructure and the consequent impact on service continuity, regulatory compliance, reputation and financial sustainability. The cremator refurbishment provided a medium-term mitigation by extending the life of the existing cremator plant to at least 2036 whilst allowing sufficient time for the Council to evaluate future cremation technologies and develop a long-term replacement strategy.