Issue - meetings

A report that requests delegated authority be granted to approve a contract for the demolition and removal of three cremators and the supply, installation, and maintenance of three new Cremators at Oldham Crematorium, following a procurement exercise.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive, Place, seeking delegated authority to approve a contract for the demolition and removal of three cremators and the supply, installation, and maintenance of three new Cremators at Oldham Crematorium, following a procurement exercise. This would ensure the result of the procurement can be enacted efficiently and implemented following the contract award.

It was reported that the current cremators components were now becoming obsolete and needed replacing to ensure that Oldham Council can continue to provide the option of cremation. In addition, given the age of the current cremators, and the lack of ongoing technical support, the current cremators were unlikely to meet future emission standards and the council could be subject to the risk of legal action.

Options/Alternatives considered:

 Option 1 – Do nothing. The risk in not replacing the cremators could result in reputational damage to the Council through delays or refusal of cremations due to malfunction, loss of income, through residents being forced to use facilities outside the borough, and potential additional costs of cremators needing major repair. There was also the risk of legal action should emissions exceed standards.

Option 2 – To allow for delegated approval to procure the replacement cremators through the YPO framework and increase the capital allocation for the replacement cremators. (commercially sensitive information in relation to this option was contained in a report considered at Item 19 on the  agenda.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 19 of the agenda before making a decision.