Issue - meetings

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

1.    a £6m loan to the partner authorities of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee (WHCJC), and a supporting Deed of Contribution and Indemnity  and delegate authority to the Corporate Director , Finance and Operations in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources to finalise terms of the required legal documentation.

2.    That Cabinet delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Finance and Operations in consultation with the Assistant Director, Corporate and Contracted services to agree a land management or lease agreement with one or all of the partner authorities of WHCJC for the proposed crematorium site on Bedmond Road.

Decision

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

1.    a £6m loan to the partner authorities of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee (WHCJC), and a supporting Deed of Contribution and Indemnity  and delegate authority to the Corporate Director , Finance and Operations in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources to finalise terms of the required legal documentation.

2.    That Cabinet delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Finance and Operations in consultation with the Assistant Director, Corporate and Contracted services to agree a land management or lease agreement with one or all of the partner authorities of WHCJC for the proposed crematorium site on Bedmond Road.

Corporate objectives

Ensuring Economic Growth and Prosperity

Monitoring Officer:  

The loan will be documented in a formal loan agreement made between Dacorum as the lender and the partner authorities of Watford, Hertsmere, St Albans and Three Rivers District Council as the borrowers. Dacorum’s liability for its proportionate share of the loan in the event of default is documented in the supporting Deed of Contribution and Indemnity.

Deputy S.151 Officer

The comments of the Deputy S151 are included in the body of this report.

Advice

Councillor Elliot introduced the report to members and this project was a joint venture with the West Herts Joint Crematorium Committee. If agreed, this report will agree a loan of £6m for the building of the crematorium over the next 20 years. The land is owned by Dacorum so we will receive income from the site plus we are charging interest on the loan at 2%. The recommendations delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Finance and Resources and the Portfolio Holder to finalise the legal documents after the outcome of the planning application.

N Howcutt said the first recommendation referred to the lease of the land and we have worked in partnership with the four other members of the West Herts Joint Crematorium Committee on this project.

Councillor Williams noted the financial aspects of the report and said this would be a good social facility for residents of Dacorum especially with severe capacity issues at Garston.

Recommendations agreed.