crematorium statistics in Lambeth

Dear Ms Williams

I assume that in question 8 the reference to Barnet should be interpreted
to mean Lambeth.

FOI Acknowledgement

Thank you for your FOI Request, as below. Please quote our ref 126167 in
any further correspondence about this request.

We anticipate responding within the statutory period of 20 working days
following the date of receipt, in this case by 23/03/10.

Thank you for your interest in Lambeth Council.

Richard Gardner

Information Compliance Adviser

London Borough of Lambeth

ICT Services

Finance & Resources

 

tel: 020 79267741

www.lambeth.gov.uk

3rd Floor, Ivor House, 1 Acre Lane, London, SW2 5BF

 

Lambeth - Making a difference

 

show quoted sections

Raquel

We have received a chaser from the requestor, as below. The response was due on 23/03/10. Please advise her what is happening.

Richard Gardner
Information Compliance Adviser
London Borough of Lambeth
ICT Services
Finance & Resources

tel: 020 79267741
www.lambeth.gov.uk
3rd Floor, Ivor House, 1 Acre Lane, London, SW2 5BF

Lambeth - Making a difference

show quoted sections

For information.

Richard Gardner
Information Compliance Adviser
London Borough of Lambeth
ICT Services
Finance & Resources

tel: 020 79267741
www.lambeth.gov.uk
3rd Floor, Ivor House, 1 Acre Lane, London, SW2 5BF

Lambeth - Making a difference

show quoted sections

Dear Ms Williams

Freedom of Information Request 126167

Thank you for submitting a Freedom of Information request to the London
Borough of Lambeth. I am now in a position to reply.

You requested the following information on crematorium statistics in
Lambeth (each of your questions has been addressed in turn.)

1.) How much profit did the council make from bereavement

services(cemeteries and crematoriums) in 2009 and in 2008?

2007/08 Income (£1,420,701)

Expenditure
£1,551,235

Net £ 130,534

2008/09 Income (£
956,219)

Expenditure
£1,460,347

Net
£ 504,128

2.) What was the profit spent on?

No profit was made

3.) Is any of the council tax we pay used to maintain crematorium

gardens?

Crematoria have been a net cost to the authority in 2007/08 and 2008/09,
after the receipt of fees and charges. After fees and charges and
specific grants are taken into account, the Council receives funding from
sources which are not ear marked for specific purposes, primarily
Government Grant by way of Revenue Support Grant and Redistributed
Business Rates. The balance of the cost of Council Services is funded
from Council Tax. The net cost of crematoria is therefore met from general
Council resources referred to above

4.) Do the council provide any assistance for those who cannot

afford funeral costs?

The council does not provide assistance for those who cannot afford a
funeral.

However, under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, we arrange
for the burial or cremation of those who die within the borough where no
other satisfactory arrangements are in place (Statutory Funerals). The
arrangements will reflect if known the deceased's cultural and/or
religious wishes

We are empowered to recover costs from any estate of a deceased person.
Any remaining funds then passes to the Treasury, however, often the full
costs needs to be met by the Council.

5.) Could you provide me with a financial breakdown of outgoings

for the borough's crematoriums in previous years? eg.) gardeners

fees.

This information is not recorded in a way that we can report without
spending additional time.

6.) A 5 year lease on a memorial rose bush costs £250. Can you

provide a breakdown on how this money is spent?

A broad breakdown of the costs to the council, of a 5 year dedication of a
commemorative Rose is as follows. Finance colleagues may want to present
this information differently (?)

Retail Price £ 250

Personalised Bronze Plaque £ 42

Administration/Staff time £ 20

Maintenance of Rose for 5 yrs £110

Mark up/Net Profit £ 78

7.) How many crematoriums in lambeth are privately owned and how

many are owned by the council?

One council owned and operated crematorium within Lambeth. No private
provision of the same within the borough.

8.) How much have funeral costs risen in Barnet in the last ten

years?

Irrespective of the fact that we are not Barnet, we do not hold or record
that information. Funeral costs are the sum of the Funeral Directors
professional fees and services, and disbursements (fees paid by the FD on
behalf of his client e.g. cremation fee, floral tributes, minister of
religion and medical fees etc.) The applicant should direct this question
to the National Association of Funeral Directors who would be better
placed to answer from across their professional members

I hope that this response fully answers your questions and is helpful to
your research. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your Freedom
of Information request has been dealt with you can request an internal
review by emailing: [1][email address] (Please quote the
reference number above) or by writing to:

Corporate Complaints Manager

Lambeth Town Hall

Brixton Hill

Brixton

SW2 1RW

If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the review you have a
further right to appeal to the Information Commissioner, who regulates the
implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. The Commissioner can be
contacted at the following address:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Enquiry line: 01625 545745

Further information on the Freedom of Information Act can be found on the
Information Commissioner's website [2]www.ico.gov.uk

Thank you for your interest in Lambeth Council.

Raquel Dixon

Customer and Community Relations

Lambeth Adults and Community Services

3rd Floor Phoenix House

10 Wandsworth Road

London SW8 2LL

Tel: 020 7926 4701

[mobile number]

Fax: 020 7926 5159

E-mail: [3][email address]

Website : [4]www.lambeth.gov.uk

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From: Gardner1,Richard
Sent: 24 February 2010 11:23
To: 'beckie'
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - crematorium statistics in
Lambeth

Dear Ms Williams

I assume that in question 8 the reference to Barnet should be interpreted
to mean Lambeth.

FOI Acknowledgement

Thank you for your FOI Request, as below. Please quote our ref 126167 in
any further correspondence about this request.

We anticipate responding within the statutory period of 20 working days
following the date of receipt, in this case by 23/03/10.

Thank you for your interest in Lambeth Council.

Richard Gardner

Information Compliance Adviser

London Borough of Lambeth

ICT Services

Finance & Resources

tel: 020 79267741

www.lambeth.gov.uk

3rd Floor, Ivor House, 1 Acre Lane, London, SW2 5BF

Lambeth - Making a difference

show quoted sections