Councillor Adrian Jones introduced a report by the Strategic Director – Transformation and Resources, which provided details of interim changes to the Wirral Coroner Service arising from the retirement of HM Coroner for Wirral, Mr Christopher Johnson, on 31 December 2013. 

The Council, in conjunction with the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor / Ministry of Justice, had a legal obligation to ensure that the Wirral Coroner Area had in place effective coroner service arrangements that were adequately resourced. 

Mr Johnson had a legal obligation to ensure that the role, responsibilities and duties of HM Coroner for Wirral were undertaken and discharged fully. This included providing appropriate interim arrangements during any period of absence or annual leave. 

With regards to the position following Mr Johnson’s retirement (post 31 December 2013), normally a recruitment exercise would be undertaken by the Council for a Senior Coroner for the Wirral Area to be appointed. However, it was a long established policy that the issue of amalgamation is first considered before a permanent Senior Coroner appointment is made.

Until the issue of amalgamation was addressed, the Council was required to put in place appropriate interim arrangements to ensure that an effective coroner service was maintained after Mr Johnson retired.

In considering the interim options available to the Council, discussions had also taken place with Liverpool City Council and their Senior Coroner, Mr Andre Rebello. Mr Rebello was highly regarded and also operated a very effective Coroner Service. Mr Rebello and Liverpool City Council had confirmed that they would be willing to provide interim support to the Council in relation to Wirral’s Coroner Service until such time that a permanent Senior Coroner appointment was made.

The Council was required to appoint Mr Rebello as the Council’s Assistant Coroner, along with his five assistant coroners, from 1 January 2014 until such time that the Council addressed the issue of amalgamation and appointed a permanent Senior Coroner. The consent of the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor would be required before the appointments could take effect.

With some minor amendments to the recommendations, which were explained by the Head of Legal and Member Services, it was then -

RESOLVED: That

Council is recommended to:

(a)  Subject to the consent of the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor being given, appoint Mr André Rebello as Assistant Coroner and lead for the Wirral Area, from 1 January 2014 until such time that the Council addresses the issues of amalgamation of the Wirral Coroner Area and a permanent Senior Coroner is appointed to cover the Wirral Coroner Area;

(b)  Subject to the consent of the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor being given, appoint Nicholas Reinberg (Senior Coroner for Cheshire,), Alan Wilson (Senior Coroner for Blackpool), Simon Holder (Barrister), Anita Bhardwarj (Solicitor), Martin Fleming (Solicitor), David Lewis (Solicitor), as Assistant Coroners for the Wirral Area from 1 January 2014 until such time that the Council addresses the issues of amalgamation of the Wirral Coroner Area and a permanent Senior Coroner is appointed to cover the Wirral;

(c)  Authorise the Strategic Director for Transformation and Resources (or his nominee) to put in place all necessary arrangements and enter in such agreements required to ensure effective interim arrangements for the Coroner Service as outlined in this report.

(d)  Authorise the Strategic Director for Transformation and Resources (or his nominee) to undertake all necessary steps required to address the issue of amalgamation of the Wirral Coroner Area with another Coroner Area as required and in accordance with the directions of the Chief Coroner and Ministry of Justice as outlined in this report.