Why it matters: The proposals to replace the two gas cremators at Ipswich Crematorium, in Cemetery Lane, were backed by executive councillors on Tuesday evening.
The details: Alongside them were works to the building itself, including removing outdated septic tanks, remodelling staff areas, improving visitor facilities – such as toilets and a family viewing room – and upgrading its overall appearance.
After the meeting Cllr Neil MacDonald, Ipswich's Labour leader, said he was confident the council would continue to provide a good level of service despite the disruption.
He said: "We want to do it with a minimum amount of fuss – it's a difficult time when there's a death in the family, and we want people to have a good quality of service."
For context: The cremators were initially installed by ATI in 2012, but are now in need of replacement due to the company going into liquidation, making repairs more difficult, as well as new Government rules.
The council borrowed just under £1.4m to pay for the existing cremators, £224,000 of which is still being paid back over the next four years.
Other options were considered, including not replacing them and closing the service, which the authority has provided since 1855, but these were abandoned.
The other side: During the meeting Cllr Ian Fisher, leader of the Conservatives, raised concerns over the council's decision to go with two gas replacements rather than electric options. He warned that the authority would be behind the curve by the time the cremators had to be replaced once again.
Cllr Lucy Trenchard, who proposed the plans, said the council would have to "effectively pull the building down and start again" to accommodate electric cremators, increasing the project's price tag.
The bottom line: The plans were approved by eight votes to one.
