Item 17 - Crematorium
West Dunbartonshire Council · 17 June 2026
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer - Roads and Neighbourhood West Dunbartonshire Council - 17 June 2026 Subject: Crematorium 1 Purpose The purpose of this report is to provide the information requested in the amendment agreed at IRED Committee on 20 May 2026 in relation to weekend access to the Hall of Remembrance. 2 Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that Council: i) Note the actions taken by the Service to deliver the saving option agreed in March 2026. ii) Note the costs set out within the report in item 4.6. 3 Background 3.1 Clydebank Crematorium is available for cremations for both residents and non residents. The books of remembrance are located in the Hall of Remembrance at the crematorium. 3.2 As part of the 2026/27 budget setting process Council agreed that cremations and viewings of the Book of Remembrance would be offered Monday to Friday only with the crematorium closed to the public at weekends 3.3 The service changes were implemented on 1 May 2026. 3.4 The cost to provide staffing for Saturday and Sunday operation is approximately £25,000 overtime, which exceeds the £5,000 budget allocated. 3.5 Overtime will continue to be utilised to cover essential activities including crematorium cooldown following cremations taking place later in the day. ITEM 17
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4 Main Issues 4.1 On 20 May 2026 the IRED Committee approved the following: “that a short report be submitted to the Council meeting of 17 June 2026, setting out all the options available for members of the public to access the Book of Remembrance at the Crematorium, on weekends.” 4.2 The overtime cost during 2024/25 and 2025/26 was in the region of £25,000/ year. This is split between Saturday at a cost of £16,500 and Sunday at a cost of £8,500. The overtime costs reflect the workforce in attendance each day to undertake the activities with cremations undertaken on a Saturday morning. 4.3 A review of the number of Saturday cremations booked in the previous 2 financial years determined that there were adequate weekday bookings available to accommodate these. The available booking slots and number of Saturday cremations are set out in the following table: Year Annual Saturday Cremations Available Weekday Bookings 2024/25 81 255 2025/26 68 407 4.4 The books of remembrance are located within the Hall of Remembrance. Viewing requires an employee to be in attendance to access the requested date of entry. The books are stored within glass cabinets to protect the books, some of which are particularly fragile. Visitors may request an alternative date that requires a particular book to be sourced and shared. This means that there is not an opportunity to manage access without employees being present. 4.5 Most visitors attend on the anniversary of their loved ones passing however there are a number that attend at other dates throughout the year. 4.6 Overtime cost to manage access to the Hall of Remembrance are as follows: Employee Resource Cost per week Cost per year 1 day/weekend £115 £6,000 2 day/weekend £230 £12,000 The overtime cost assumes that 4 hours of access will be available. 4.7 Access to the crematorium and cemetery grounds have not been affected by this saving option. Families and other visitors continue to be able to access memorial walls, memorial benches and the remembrance garden over 7 days.
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5 People Implications 5.1 Any changes to the operational delivery of the crematorium will require workforce considerations. Overtime is not contractual and requires volunteers. 6 Financial & Procurement Implications 6.1 Weekend access to the crematorium would incur a staffing cost which is additional to the budget available for 2026/27. 7 Risk Analysis 7.1 The Council has a duty to deliver services that demonstrate best value in line with Council policy and procedures. 8 Equalities Impact Assessment 8.1 An equalities impact assessment is not required as this is consideration of an existing activity. 9 Consultation 9.1 Engagement has been undertaken through the budget setting process and information has been shared on operating hours on site and through social media. 10 Strategic Assessment 10.1 This report reflects the 2022 – 2027 Strategic Plan and in particular the following Strategic Priorities: • Our Council is adaptable and focused on delivering best value for our residents Chief Officer: Gail Macfarlane Service Area: Roads and Neighbourhood Date: 2 June 2026 ___________________________________________________________________
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Person to Contact: Ian Bain Greenspace and Waste Manager ian.bain@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: None Background Papers: General Services Budget Setting 2026/27 and 2027/28 – 2030/31 Budget Estimates. Wards Affected: All