Issue - meetings

This Item was taken after Item 13 – Extension of Contracts with Locate in Kent and Visit Kent.

Ms Debbie Large was in attendance for this item.

1.         Mr Hill introduced the proposed decision to issue new contracts for the provision of Post-Mortem Facilities in Mid-Kent and Medway, Northwest Kent, and East Kent.

2.         In response to a question from a Member, Ms Large explained that Section 24 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, implemented in 2013, placed a statutory obligation on KCC to provide the Coroner’s accommodation, staff and resource required to fulfil the service’s statutory functions. Ms Large said government had been clear that it would remain a locally delivered service.

RESOLVED to endorse the proposal that the Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services and South East Kent coroner areas agree to:

A) Issue new contracts, via direct awards, for the provision of Post-Mortem Facilities in Mid-Kent and Medway, Northwest Kent, and East Kent, to commence from 1 April 2023 for a period of 12 months with the option of extending for a further 4 years.

B) delegate authority to the Director for Growth and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community & Regulatory Services, to negotiate, finalise and enter into the contracts; and

C) delegate authority to the Director for Growth and Communities to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to entering into required legal agreements and agreed contract extensions, as necessary to implement the decision.