Issue - meetings

Report from Cabinet held on 7 September 2020

Council received the report of the Director of Finance which had been considered by Cabinet on 7 September 2020.  An extract of the minutes had been circulated with the agenda papers.  The report sought approval for Watford Borough Council to enter into a loan facility agreement on behalf of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee (WHCJC) and to sign a Deed of Contribution and Indemnity with all five member authorities of the WHCJC.

RESOLVED –

1.          that Watford, as one of the member authorities of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, signs a loan facility agreement between Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council as borrowers with Dacorum Borough Council as lender for £6 million to part fund a new Crematorium in Hemel Hempstead, subject to all the other 4 borrowing authorities passing similar resolutions;

2.          that Watford signs a Deed of Contribution and Indemnity with all five partner authorities of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, namely Dacorum Borough Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough subject to all the other member authorities passing similar resolutions;

3.          that Council notes that in agreeing to (1) and (2) above that Watford are underwriting one fifth of the £6 million loan facility should the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee default on repayment of the loan; and

4.          that delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance to agree the final terms of the loan and indemnity agreements.

Report of the Shared Director of Finance

RESOLVED –

1.         that Cabinet recommends to Council that Watford, as one of the member authorities of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, signs a loan facility agreement between Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council as borrowers with Dacorum Borough Council as lender for £6 million to part fund a new Crematorium in Hemel Hempstead, subject to all the other 4 borrowing authorities passing similar resolutions;

2.         that Cabinet recommends to Council that Watford also signs a Deed of Contribution and Indemnity with all five partner authorities of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, namely Dacorum Borough Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough subject to all the other member authorities passing similar resolutions;

3.         that Cabinet recommends that Council notes that in agreeing to 1 and 2 above that Watford are underwriting one fifth of the £6 million loan facility should the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee default on repayment of the loan.

4.         that delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance to agree the final terms of the loan and indemnity agreements.

Cabinet received a report of the Interim Director of Finance requesting Council approval for the council to enter into a loan facility agreement on behalf of West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee together with the other member authorities with Dacorum Borough Council. 

Councillor Watkin, Portfolio Holder for Resources, explained that officers were seeking permission for the council to underwrite one-fifth of the loan to Dacorum Borough Council.  The funding would be used towards a new crematorium in Hemel Hempstead. 

Councillor Collett noted that the demand for cremations had been rising before coronavirus.  It was necessary to become more creative and flexible with services.

RESOLVED –

1.         that Cabinet recommends to Council that Watford, as one of the member authorities of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, signs a loan facility agreement between Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council as borrowers with Dacorum Borough Council as lender for £6 million to part fund a new Crematorium in Hemel Hempstead, subject to all the other 4 borrowing authorities passing similar resolutions;

2.         that Cabinet recommends to Council that Watford also signs a Deed of Contribution and Indemnity with all five partner authorities of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee, namely Dacorum Borough Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough subject to all the other member authorities passing similar resolutions;

3.         that Cabinet recommends that Council notes that in agreeing to 1 and 2 above that Watford are underwriting one fifth of the £6 million loan facility should the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee default on repayment of the loan.

4.         that delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance to agree the final terms of the loan and indemnity agreements.