Issue - meetings

This report sets out and seeks approval of the business case to support the expansion of Brent Mortuary on its existing site at Northwick Park Hospital.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)    To note the need for additional mortuary capacity to meet the standards laid out in the Human Tissue Act 2004.

(2)    To support the proposals contained in Option 2 of the options appraisal at paragraph 3.4 of the report as the means of best meeting the requirement for additional mortuary capacity.

(3)    Subject to Barnet Council’s and Harrow Council’s capital contribution confirmation, approve the business case to carry out capital works to expand the public mortuary capacity for a cost of £2.63m.

(4)    Subject to Barnet Council’s and Harrow Council’s capital contribution confirmation, note Brent Council’s contribution towards the total project budget is £900,621.

(5)    Subject to Barnet Council’s and Harrow Council’s capital contribution confirmation, approve the use of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy to fund Brent Council’s contribution as detailed in (4) above.

(6)    To approve the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director, Resident Services, in consultation with the Corporate Director, Finance and Resources to amend the project business case should either Barnet Council and/or Harrow Council not receive their respective approvals to contribute towards the cost of the project as set out in this report.

(7)    To approve the delegation of authority to enter into the new lease with the NHS to the Corporate Director, Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Corporate Director, Resident Services and Lead Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action should the new lease exceed the Corporate Director’s current approval levels as set out in Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution, paragraph 11.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 22 January 24

In Councillor Krupa Sheth’s absence (as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action), Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) introduced the report setting out the Business Case supporting an expansion of Brent Mortuary by 80 storage spaces.

In considering the report, Members noted that Brent, operating under an Inter Authority Agreement with the London Boroughs of Harrow and Barnet, provided a licensed shared mortuary and post-mortem facility covering three of the five boroughs within the HM Coroners Jurisdiction across North London.  The site was located on the site of Northwick Park Hospital with the Council and partners having a responsibility to ensure that the premises and facilities met required standards within the Human Tissue Act.  Given increasing pressure on capacity, the proposed expansion was designed to ensure the mortuary was able to continue meeting these requirements in support of local residents, the Coroners Service and Metropolitan Police.  Members noted that the expansion was being undertaken in collaboration with the London Borough of Barnet and London Borough of Harrow, with Brent’s contribution being £900,621 towards the overall cost of £2.63m.

In recognising the importance and Council’s ongoing commitment towards ensuring security and dignity in terms of care for the deceased and addressing, in a cost-effective manner, the additional need identified to maintain support for local residents given the sensitive nature of the service, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To note the need for additional mortuary capacity to meet the standards laid out in the Human Tissue Act 2004.

(2)    To support the proposals contained in Option 2 of the options appraisal at paragraph 3.4 of the report as the means of best meeting the requirement for additional mortuary capacity.

(3)    Subject to Barnet Council’s and Harrow Council’s capital contribution confirmation, approve the business case to carry out capital works to expand the public mortuary capacity for a cost of £2.63m.

(4)    Subject to Barnet Council’s and Harrow Council’s capital contribution confirmation, note Brent Council’s contribution towards the total project budget is £900,621.

(5)    Subject to Barnet Council’s and Harrow Council’s capital contribution confirmation, approve the use of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy to fund Brent Council’s contribution as detailed in (4) above.

(6)    To approve the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director, Resident Services, in consultation with the Corporate Director, Finance and Resources to amend the project business case should either Barnet Council and/or Harrow Council not receive their respective approvals to contribute towards the cost of the project as set out in this report.

(7)    To approve the delegation of authority to enter into the new lease with the NHS to the Corporate Director, Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Corporate Director, Resident Services and Lead Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action should the new lease exceed the Corporate Director’s current approval levels as set out in Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution, paragraph 11.