Decision details

1.         That the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration:

            a)         Agreed that the report be exempt from disclosure by virtue of the Local                         Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A Part 1, paragraph 3 (as amended), I     n                      that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any     particular person (including the authority holding that information).

            b)         Agreed that the City Council assumes responsibility for the provision of Pan-                 London mortuary services from 24 September 2020 to 31 March 2021.

          c)         Approved the drawdown of services from the existing contract to provide            mortuary services to all London local authorities until 31 March 2021.

      d)         Approved the procurement of the necessary support and logistic services to                   run the day-to-day operations of the temporary mortuary sites.

         e)         Approved the estimated expenditure up to £16.15m for the provision of the           temporary mortuary and associated support services.

f)    Delegated authority to the Director of City Highways to call down additional       resources to extend mortuary services at Horseferry Road   from the contract in           the event of a second wave of Covid-19.

1.         In the event of further COVID-19 excess deaths, the City Council has offered to manage the Pan-London temporary mortuary provision provided that the funding and legal agreements amongst London local authorities are secured.

2.         Securing six months of finances to create a sinking fund for the undertaking of temporary mortuary provision prior to contracts being authorised, has reduced the risk to Westminster and Camden as responsible legal bodies.

1.        In the event of further COVID-19 excess deaths, the City Council has offered            to manage the Pan-London temporary mortuary provision provided that the            funding and legal agreements amongst London local authorities are secured.

2.        Securing six months of finances to create a sinking fund for the undertaking of temporary mortuary provision prior to contracts being authorised, has reduced the risk to Westminster and Camden as responsible legal bodies.