URL: https://mansfield.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1955

Decision Maker: Assistant Director - Neighbourhood Services

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Approval of the annual CAMEO mercury abatement burden sharing fees

Content: Approval of CAMEO abatement fees   Delegated Decision Ref: 26/11/NS   This report seeks approval for the payment of the annual Mercury Abatement CAMEO fee of £55,696   Payment is required to offset the impact of the Crematoriums non-abated   cremations annually as required by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).   In 2005 Defra introduced a requirement for the cremation industry to remove mercury from 50% of cremations. The national target, based on the available science, achieves a proportionate response for removing mercury from cremations, whilst not burdening the bereaved with excessive cost and the possibility of closing of local crematoria.   Along with the 50% target the principle of “burden sharing” was introduced, a process whereby Operators who could install abatement plant do so, and the cost is shared with those could not install such abatement equipment. Defra recognised this as the most equitable way of achieving the target, whilst the cost or “burden” is shared by the entire sector.   The cremators installed within Mansfield Crematorium currently do not have abatement equipment installed and therefore a fee is payable for 50% of the cremations carried out annually.   The fee for 2025 is £59 per cremation and Mansfield Crematorium carried out 1887 cremations during this year.  The charge is only payable on 944 of these cremations given that only 50% is required to be abated.     There is no alternative option to payment of the fees as we have a responsibility to do so under the Environmental Act 1990.

Date of Decision: May 5, 2026