Argyll and Bute’s only crematorium has received a positive inspection report – but council officials intend to challenge inspectors on some findings.
Cardross crematorium – which was refurbished three years ago – was inspected by the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities in November, with the report received just before Christmas.
The findings showed over 90% compliance at 411 points out of 450, but one of the authority’s executive directors has said that some of the criticisms are not accepted.
These include a ‘conveyer belt’ feeling at the crematorium, a ‘poor’ standard of cleanliness and a lack of a contingency plan being in place if cremation equipment breaks down.
Kirsty Flanagan has said some of the findings of the inspectors will be challenged. The report will go before the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee on Thursday.
On the perceived ‘conveyer belt’ feeling, Ms Flanagan said: “We do not accept this result. Bookings are for an hour – services generally last between 35 and 45 minutes, which leaves time to reset the chapel if there is a subsequent booking.
“A few years ago we extended our booking slots from 45mins to an hour to allow mourners more time to pay their respects.
“It is of paramount importance to staff at the crematorium that mourners are able to pay their respects in a dignified and un-rushed manner.”
On the comments on the standard of cleanliness, she said: “We consider the cleanliness standards in the crematorium to be good. We will challenge this result with the inspector.”
And in relation to the contingency plan for equipment breaking down, she added: “We have an older cremator which, while not compliant for full operations with modern standards, we are allowed to operate for 100 hours per year.
“We can use this in the event of any issues with the main cremator. We have a robust contract in place for maintenance which allows for ‘live’ remote fault fixing, and if an engineer visit is required this always happens within one working day. This contract works well and the maintenance company are very responsive.”
Other views expressed by the inspectors included that webcasting facilities and floral displays were not available.
Ms Flanagan said the council was working with its IT colleagues to have the crematorium’s data connection upgraded, and that floral displays have never been provided at the crematorium since it opened in 1961 – though families are able to provide their own personal displays if they so wish.
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