The Executive Decision meeting of Waltham Forest Council on Friday 14 August 2026 resulted in the approval of a funding agreement with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for the transfer of Coroner Officers. This decision authorises the signing of the agreement, which will secure funding over a four-year period to cover the salary costs of these officers as they move from MPS employment to the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

Transfer of Coroner Officers

The Portfolio Lead Member for Finance and Resources authorised the signing of a funding agreement with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). This agreement will facilitate the transfer of Coroner Officers from the MPS to the employment of the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF). The funding from the MPS will cover the salary costs of these officers over a four-year period, with the MPS contribution tapering down over time.

LBWF is the lead local authority for the Eastern Coronial jurisdiction, which also includes Newham, Redbridge, Havering, and Barking and Dagenham. Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009¹, local authorities are responsible for the running costs of the Coroner Service. Historically, the MPS funded the Coroner Officers across London. However, as part of budget-cutting measures, the MPS requested that these roles be transferred to local authority employment.

After extensive negotiations, a funding agreement was reached. This agreement ensures that eleven Coroner Officers will transfer to LBWF. The MPS will fund 100% of their costs for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years. This funding will then reduce to 50% in 2028/29 and 25% in 2029/30. The total annual cost for these officers is currently £675,388. The agreement also aims to reduce bureaucratic auditing requirements and ensures that the transferring officers' terms and conditions will remain no less favourable, in line with the principles of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE)².

The decision maker considered the alternative of not entering into the agreement, but noted that the Council has no discretion in taking over responsibility for these costs as mandated by the Act. The negotiations successfully secured additional funding beyond the MPS's initial offer, though further increases were not possible without risking the provision of any additional funding at all.