The Coronerpresented his report. A Coroner was an independent judicial office holder, appointed by the local authority. They investigated deaths reported to them if it appeared that: the death was violent or unnatural; the cause of death was unknown; or the person died in prison, police custody or another type of state detention. The report was the full annual report of the Liverpool and Wirral Coroner Area for the period of 2020.

The Coroner thanked the Council for the additional support and employing additional administrators enabling the court to work every day during the pandemic. There had been 300 additional post-mortems requested throughout the pandemic. There was an 11-week delay in dealing with some cases, with 8 weeks being a target. Mr Rebello emphasised that there would be more efficiencies if all authorities throughout the Liverpool City Region merged services but this had not happened.

Members questioned The Coroner about his report which established:

·  Limiting factors for the work included budget and staffing

·  Some of the authorities in Merseyside did not have facilities such as general hospitals so cases from those areas were dealt with and paid for by those that had, which were Liverpool City and Wirral

·  There was a Health and Care bill before Parliament to make Health Trusts appoint medical examiners who scrutinise death certificates that do not go to the Coroner.

Councillor Phil Gilchrist proposed that the Council Leader should be invited to look at new structures with other Merseyside local authority leaders so as to assess pressures within the structure and assist some of the resolutions which might be required.

Councillor Helen Cameron moved the proposal, seconded by Councillor Allan Brame.

Resolved – That

(1)  the Liverpool and Wirral Coroner’s annual report be noted.

(2)  the Council Leader be invited, with other Merseyside local authority leaders, to assess pressures within the existing death examination structure and assist in any resolutions which might be required.