Urgent repairs needed for Kingsdown Crematorium, say senior councillors
A report to Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet this week will ask the members to approve a budget of £640,000 for the work
Last updated 2nd Jun 2025
Urgent repairs are needed for Kingsdown Crematorium according to a report to senior councillors.
A report to Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet this week by the member for finance Councillor Kevin Small to the Labour cabinet will ask the members to approve a budget of £640,000 for the work.
If approved the council will borrow the money.
The report says the failure of some of the parts has caused the council financial loss.
Problems with the machinery began in May 2022 when the heat exchanger failed. This cools the air leaving the three cremators so it can be filtered before exiting the building through its flues.
The failure of the heat exchanger has also led to damage to the flues.
The report says: “Funding was agreed for replacing the heat exchanger and in September 2024, after delays due to issues with the contractor and, just prior to the expected work taking place, it was identified that the flues were seriously damaged and cremator one became unserviceable.
“Work was also required to repair the filtration system as this had not worked for 2.25 years.”
It adds: “Work is therefore required to repair the flues and filtration. In addition, essential work is also required for fencing repairs at Whitworth Road Cemetery, and repairs to the large canopy on the flower terrace, cladding and tiles at Kingsdown Crematorium.”
While the cost of the work has been estimated, the actual cost length of the time needed is still to be decided: “The cost of the repairs to the flues and filtration system is dependent on the scheduling of works as there are options around how the work is carried out.”
Taking the facility out of action could cost the council a significant sum. It is expected to return a £730,000 surplus to the authority’s coffers in this financial year, but it only made that last year because there was a big underspend on repairs and maintenance as there is no service contract I place.
The council also has to pay a fine of £45,000 a year because of the release of unfiltered gases.
If councillors approve the borrowing of £640,000, the council expects to pay back £80,000 per year for the 10 years expected as the life of the equipment.