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The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and
Enforcement approved the following recommendations:
 
- 
The direct award of the Mortuary Services Contract to King’s
College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for an initial period of
three years, commencing on 1st January 2026, with an
option to extend for a further three years, resulting in a whole
life value of £2.28 million (£380k per annum).
 
- 
The authority to exercise the three-year extension option within
the terms of the contract be delegated to the Director of
Environment and Public Protection, subject to consultation with the
Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Enforcement and the
relevant senior officers.

Reasons for the decision

The Mortuary Report sought approval to award a
new contract for mortuary services to King’s College Hospital
NHS Foundation Trust via direct award. This mirrors the approach
taken in 2018, when a competitive tender failed to attract any bids
and the Council entered direct negotiations with the Trust to
ensure service continuity.
 
The current contract, awarded via direct award
in 2019 following the failed tender, has operated successfully and
is due to expire on 31 December 2025. The Trust remains the only
viable provider within the HM South London Coronial District, and
no material changes have occurred in the market conditions,
coronial requirements, or service delivery since the last
procurement.
 
Given the unchanged circumstances, statutory
obligations under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, and the
absence of alternative providers acceptable to the Coroner, a
direct award remains the most appropriate and legally compliant
route under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23).