Eltham Crematorium Projects £106K Underspend for 2025/26

Eltham Crematorium is projected to underspend by £106,172 for the 2025/26 financial year, according to a report presented at the Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee meeting on Wednesday, 8 October 2025. The underspend is attributed to several factors, including a staff reorganisation that has not yet been reflected in payroll, an underspend on gas costs, and higher-than-expected income from webcasting fees and CAMEO, which offsets an overspend on webcasting fees¹.

The Finance Manager's Treasurer Report, which was noted by the committee, detailed the projected financial position at Period 5. The underspend is projected after budgeted distribution payments to constituent authorities, as detailed in section 4.4 of the report.

The committee also reviewed the Repairs & Renewals Reserve, which had a closing balance of £530,000 at the end of the 2024/25 year, with a projected £550,000 for the current financial year. Due to delays in procuring the 2024/25 Programmed property works, an underspend of £393,760 has been transferred to a separate Programmed Property Works account and will be utilised as works are completed in 2025/26.

The Donations Reserve was also discussed, with a projected closing balance of £16,100 for 2025/26. According to the Finance Manager's Treasurer Report, this reserve comprises balances carried forward, donations received during the year, and approved expenditure, such as improvements to enhance facilities for mourners. The Bereavement Services Manager clarified that donations are specifically used for improvements to the grounds.

The committee also noted the progress of the three-year works programme, detailed in the Report of Programme Manager, Capital Projects & Property Maintenance. Key projects in this programme include repointing to the Chapel Yard and Cloisters, improvements to the West Chapel meeting room, and upgrades to the office kitchen and toilet facilities. Additional projects encompass roofing repairs, pond refurbishment, drainage improvements, path renewal, and the installation of a disabled WC and Vestry WC.

The Finance Managers Treasurer Report was presented to Councillors David Leaf, Sandra Bauer (Cabinet Member Equality, Culture and Communities), Richard Diment, Richard Wells, and Miranda Williams.