OFFICIAL proposals to merge the coroners services in Lancashire have been submitted to the government’s top lawyer.
Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council have sent proposals to the Lord Chancellor proposing the jurisdictions of West Lancashire, Blackburn and Darwen and East Lancashire be amalgamated.
It is hoped that the merger will be approved before the end of 2017.
The proposal, triggered by the retirement of Michael Singleton, senior coroner for Blackburn and Darwen after 20 years, aims to provide a consistent and an improved service.
Formal consultation will be undertaken shortly by the Ministry of Justice but in the interim, Dr James Adeley will be Acting Senior Coroner for Blackburn with Darwen from Saturday, July 1.
It is proposed that the new jurisdiction will be called Lancashire with Blackburn and Darwen and will be headed by Dr Adeley, with the assistance of two Area Coroners James Newman and Richard Taylor currently the senior coroner in Pennine Lancashire.
Dr Adeley said: “The larger service will use improved technology to ensure the administration of deaths is handled efficiently.”
He added:” This includes a new Coroner’s database, ensuring that documentation is provided and shared electronically via secure sites, and the potential to use CT scanning, rather than the more traditional post mortem.”
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