Graham Smith (Head of Bereavement Service) introduced the update and highlighted:

a)    The Park was due to open in Spring 2024, a site of 17 acres;

b)    522 trees were being planted before the opening with a further 361 to be planted in a phased approach that would be able to be memorialised by families and there would be electric car charging points at the site;

c)    The project had already been shortlisted for awards;

d)    At this point a video was played which could be viewed at: The Park: Construction fly-thru August 2023 - YouTube, which showed the progress that had been made up to early August 2023;

e)    It was important to have a site where the services could be personalised for families experiencing a bereavement so they were supported in the best way.

Councillor Sally Haydon added the following remarks:

f)     Encouraged Cabinet members to visit the site if they had not already;

g)    The video would be shared on social media channels to reach members of the public;

h)    Positive feedback had been received on social media on the project via social media comments.

In response to questions it was added:

i)     The project had not been without its challenges but it was progressing very well and projected for completion in Spring 2024;

j)     The weatherproofing would be done imminently which would enable more work to be carried out within the buildings;

k)    The new cremators would be 40% more efficient that what was already in use in the city;

l)     Solar array would provide 20% charge back to the building and heat pumps were being looked into for the café and a sustainable drainage system would be included;

m)   The project was still within budget, but there were challenges as there had been some increases in costs, as well as changes that needed to be made to the cremators to make them compliant with legislation that was due to be implemented in 2027 and inflation costs;

n)    The installation of the cremators would be filmed as part of a further update video.