Issue - meetings
Proposed Merger of the Wirral And Liverpool Coroner Areas and Coroner Services
Meeting: 08/12/2014 - Council (Item 75)
75 Proposed Merger of the Wirral and Liverpool Coroner Areas and Coroner Services PDF 119 KB
A copy of the report, ‘Proposed Merger of the Wirral and Liverpool Coroner Areas and Coroner Services’ (including the Business Case), considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 27 November, is attached. The Council will be invited to consider and endorse the recommendations from Cabinet. The Cabinet minute is attached.
Additional documents:
- Business Case - CORONER SERVICE AMALGAMATION (Liverpool and Wirral) 2014 (FINAL)4, 27/11/2014 Cabinet, item 75 PDF 231 KB
- Business Case - CORONER SERVICE AMALGAMATION (Liverpool and Wirral) 2014 (FINAL) Wirral Area Only, 27/11/2014 Cabinet, item 75 PDF 5 MB
- Business Case - CORONER SERVICE AMALGAMATION (Liverpool and Wirral) 2014 (FINAL) Liverpool Area Only, 27/11/2014 Cabinet, item 75 PDF 2 MB
- Business Case - CORONER SERVICE AMALGAMATION (Liverpool and Wirral) 2014 (FINAL) Liverpool and Wirral Area, 27/11/2014 Cabinet, item 75 PDF 1 MB
- Coroners Services Appendix 2, 27/11/2014 Cabinet, item 75 PDF 29 KB
- Cabinet Minute 100, item 75 PDF 55 KB
Minutes:
The third matter requiring approval was in relation to the Proposed Merger of the Wirral and Liverpool Coroner Areas and Coroner Services and the recommendations of Cabinet at its meeting 27 November 2014 (minute 100 refers).
On a motion by Councillor P Davies seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan, it was –
Resolved (61:0) (Two abstentions) – That the recommendations contained within Cabinet minute 100, be approved.
Meeting: 27/11/2014 - Cabinet (Item 100)
100 Proposed Merger of the Wirral And Liverpool Coroner Areas and Coroner Services PDF 126 KB
Additional documents:
- Business Case - CORONER SERVICE AMALGAMATION (Liverpool and Wirral) 2014 (FINAL)4, item 100 PDF 253 KB
- Business Case - CORONER SERVICE AMALGAMATION (Liverpool and Wirral) 2014 (FINAL) Wirral Area Only, item 100 PDF 5 MB
- Business Case - CORONER SERVICE AMALGAMATION (Liverpool and Wirral) 2014 (FINAL) Liverpool Area Only, item 100 PDF 2 MB
- Business Case - CORONER SERVICE AMALGAMATION (Liverpool and Wirral) 2014 (FINAL) Liverpool and Wirral Area, item 100 PDF 1 MB
- Coroners Services Appendix 2, item 100 PDF 30 KB
Minutes:
Councillor Adrian Jones introduced a report by the Head of Legal and Member Services which provided details of the proposed merger of the Wirral and Liverpool Coroner Services which had arisen from the retirement of HM Coroner for Wirral, Mr Christopher Johnson, on 31 December 2013.
From 1 January 2014, both Wirral and Liverpool Councils had agreed to operate a joint coroner service on an interim basis, pending a decision being taken in relation to the merger of both the Wirral and Liverpool Coroner Areas. The interim arrangements had been duly endorsed by the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor/Ministry of Justice, and had ensured that both Councils, but in particular Wirral Council had in place effective coronial arrangements that were adequately resourced to meet all legal duties and obligations.
Attached to the report at Appendix 1 was the business case for the proposed merger of both coroner areas which created a single “Liverpool and Wirral Coroner Area” and the “Liverpool and Wirral Coroner Service”.
The Head of Legal and Member Services sought the Cabinet’s approval and agreement in respect of the business case and the proposal that Wirral and Liverpool Coroner Areas and Services merge to create the Liverpool and Wirral Coroner Area and Service, subject to formal targeted consultation to be undertaken by the Ministry of Justice and Parliamentary approval.
Councillor Adrian Jones informed that the proposals were in line with Government policy and the report set out the details of what the merger would mean, including the anticipated savings. The result would be a more efficient and strengthened Service. Councillor Jones also informed that other mergers had been considered and the details had been included in the report.
Councillor Phil Davies informed that this proposal was a good example of sharing a service with a neighbouring local authority.
RESOLVED: That
(1) the business case set out in Appendix 1 be approved and agreed;
(2) the business case be the subject to consultation by the Ministry of Justice;
(3) any recommendations of the Chief Coroner for England and Wales and any decision by the Lord Chancellor regarding a merging of the Wirral and Liverpool Coroner Areas be endorsed;
(4) the Head of Legal and Member Services be authorised to undertake any necessary actions, if permission is formally granted, to implement the requirement of any statutory instrument or Order to combine the Wirral and Liverpool Coroner Areas;
(5) following formal guidance issued by the Chief Coroner regarding the appointment of Coroners, and subject to the outcome of consultation and the Lord Chancellor making the Order, it be recommended that the current Senior Coroner for the Liverpool Coroner Area (and the current Assistant Coroner for Wirral), Andre Rebello, be appointed as Senior Coroner for the new single jurisdiction to be known as the “Liverpool and Wirral Coroner Area”;
(6) the Head of Legal and Member Services be authorised, in consultation with both relevant Cabinet Members for Wirral and Liverpool Councils and the City Solicitor for Liverpool City Council, to undertake ... view the full minutes text for item 100