London Borough of Croydon (24 017 190)
Category : Other Categories > Other
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 14 Feb 2025
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about delays in a coronial process. Nor can we investigate a lack of response to Ms X by coroner’s officers in those prceedings. This is because these actions relate to coronial proceedings and are not an administrative function of the Council. Therefore, we have no power to investigate.
The complaint
- Ms X was unhappy about delays in holding an inquest, following a bereavement of a family member. Ms X said the delays meant she and her family, were left waiting for answers for an unnecessarily long period. Ms X also said the response from the coroner’s officers was poor.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
- We cannot investigate complaints about actions which are not the administrative function of a council. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(1) as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Ms X raised her concerns with the coroner’s office about progress in relation to an inquest hearing, which was due to be held and had previously been adjourned. She also said she had been treated poorly by coroner’s officers.
- A coroner’s duties and functions under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, remain the coroner’s despite being appointed and paid by the council and coroner’s officers being provided by the council. When undertaking tasks on behalf of a coroner as part of the coroner’s statutory functions relating to coronial investigations, coroner’s officers are exercising the coroner’s functions, not those of the council.
- Because these matters relate to coronial proceedings and the limitations of our powers at paragraph three, we cannot investigate this complaint.
Final decision
- We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint because the actions she complains about are not an administrative function of the Council and we have no power to investigate.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman