Issue - meetings

(i)                  That continued support be given to the development of a pet cremation service to provide residents with a local caring service when needed.

(ii)                 That the progress made in relation to the planning application and the procurement of the necessary products to deliver the service in line with the up to date business plan, be noted.

(iii)               That the Service Director for Commercial Services in consultation with the Leader & Cabinet Member for Planning & Town Centres be delegated authority to complete all necessary contracts to ensure the effective delivery of the project in line with the legislative requirements.

(iv)               That the fees and charges as set out in the report and marketing commences at the appropriate time, be adopted.

The Leader introduced a report regarding the updated Business Case for the

Pet Crematorium and seeking approval to proceed with the necessary contracts

including delivery of the cremation unit.  He asked for clarification on the service

being offered by Stoke on Trent City Council.

The Service Director – Commercial Delivery presented the report and stated

that the new service would be totally separate to the existing one.  The Pet Cremation service would be a personal service where all pets would be treated with dignity on an individual basis.

A planning application had been submitted and the tendering process for the cremator had been completed.  The result of the tendering process would be discussed in closed session at the end of this meeting. The Business Case had been reviewed and updated and that too would be discussed under closed session.

The report showed the proposed fees and charges for the service and those were  listed at paragraph 8.6 of the report.

The service would trade as ‘Loved and Loyal Pet Crematorium’ and web addresses had been purchased.

Stoke City Council had a scattering area for cremated remains of pets within Carmountside Crematorium grounds and should a resident of Newcastle or Stoke use the pet cremation service they could scatter the ashes at Carmountside if wished.

The proposal had received positive feedback from residents.

The Leader asked if the planning application was currently live online and therefore open for people to make comments.  This was confirmed.

The Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Green Spaces asked if residents would be expected to take their pets to the crematorium themselves.

The Service Director confirmed that that would be the intention, although if corporate contracts with veterinary practices existed, they could deliver the pet to Bradwell.

The Leader asked what type of pets would be accepted at the crematorium.

The Service Director stated that there would be two chambers in the cremator – one would accept up to a large dog and a smaller one for ‘hamster sized’ pets.

The Leader stated that this had a strong business case and would be an asset to the Borough.

Resolved:    (i)       That continued support be given to the development of a

pet cremation service to provide residents with a local caring service when needed.

(ii)             That the progress made in relation to the planning application and the procurement of the necessary products to deliver the service in line with the up to date business plan, be noted.

(iii)           That the Service Director for Commercial Services in consultation with the Leader & Cabinet Member for Planning & Town Centres be delegated authority to complete all necessary contracts to ensure the effective delivery of the project in line with the legislative requirements.

(iv)           That the fees and charges as set out in the report and marketing commences at the appropriate time, be adopted.

Watch the debate here