Our Ref: CEX/98NKDK
Sent by email:
Paul Kane
26 June 2013
Dear Mr Kane
Thank you for your request for information, which was received by Manchester City Council on 31 May 2013 and has been considered under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
1. ‘I would like to request the reasons that the city council is
allowing the coop funeral care to be in breach of contact with
regards to cornors removals in the manchester council area.’
We are unable to comply with your request because the information is not held by the Council. Manchester City Council has not reached the conclusion that the Coop funeral care is in breach of contract in relation to Coroners removals.
However I can provide you with the following information which I hope may be helpful.
Following a tendering exercise organised by Bolton Metropolitan Council, the Greater Manchester Authorities entered into a framework agreement with a single provider for the provision of a Coroners removal service. Although the agreement was made with the local authorities, it is the Coroners and their representatives that provide instructions to the service deliverer as regards the movement and transportation of bodies in a timely and professional manner.It should be noted that the Coroner is not an employee of the local authority but is an independent judicial officer.
Manchester City Council is aware of concerns which have previously been raised with the Coroner about the delivery of this service and more recently with Bolton Metropolitan Council. Although we have not been directly involved in any investigations we understand that any concerns raised have been considered. We also understand that the Coroner for Manchester (City) is satisfied that the service is being delivered in line with his instructions. Furthermore, following a recent investigation by Bolton Metropolitan Council they concluded that they were satisfied, on information presently available to them, that the provider was not promoting its services in a manner which would contravene the framework agreement.
Moving forward I would like to point out that any future concerns which may arise can be raised directly with Manchester City Council via its complaints procedure. Any such complaints can be sent to me, Jonathan Kershner, Registration and Coroner Services Manager, Manchester Register Office, Heron House, 47 Lloyd Street, Manchester M2 5LE. This would not prevent you from also raising them with the Coroner.
I have attached the following link where information can be found about the Council’s complaints procedure.
If you are not satisfied with this response you may ask for an internal review. If you wish to request an internal review you should contact the Information Governance Manager, whose address is Democratic Services, Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester, M60 2LA and email
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision.
The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
Yours sincerely
Jonathan Kershner
Registration and Coroner Services Manager