Local authority practices regarding the publication of an online list of public health funerals and use of an heir hunter to trace relatives.
1. Please indicate the last date on which a genealogist, probate researcher or tracing agent was used.
We do not keep central records of the dates of when we contact genealogists, probate researchers or tracing agents therefore we do not hold this information
2. If a researcher has been used in the past year, on how many occasions has this occurred?
We do not keep central records of how many times we have used genealogists, probate researchers or tracing agents therefore we do not hold this information.
3. Which company was last used and by which local authority department?
As we do not keep central records on this type of activity therefore we do not hold this information and we cannot answer this question.
4. Does the local authority have any contract with any researcher? If so, please provide the contract document, redacted as required.
We do not have contracts with any researchers.
5. In the circumstances where the local authority was aware of the existence of relatives of a deceased person but lacked the resources or expertise to locate them, would the council use a genealogical researcher on an exclusive basis again?
Yes we would consider using a researcher but we don’t use any exclusively.
6. Are there plans for the council to undergo a tendering process for a researcher?
No.
7. If the council previously used heir hunters or other tracing services but no longer does so, what are the reasons behind the change in policy?
N/A
8. What is the council’s policy and process for making a referral to a genealogical researcher?
We don’t have a written policy for referring to a genealogical researcher. A decision to use one is taken on an as and when basis taking into account the individual factors of the case in discussion with the team manager.
9. Please identify the measures in the existing policies and procedures for making referrals to a genealogical researcher which:
a) protect next of kin from overcharging through a market exposure and
b) ensure all entitled relatives are found?
Pease see answer to question 8. We don’t have written policies on this aspect, each case is considered on it’s own merits by the case officer and team manager and a decision reached on what action to take.
10. Does the local authority now publish an online list of public health funerals where there is an intestacy?
Devon County Council is not responsible for Public Health funerals and therefore does not hold this information. Public Health funerals are the responsibility of District and Unitary Councils in Devon, please contact them directly.
11. If so, when is information added to the list? Is information only added to the list AFTER the researcher has exhausted their investigations or is it added at the same time that a referral is made to the researcher?
Please see answer to question 10.
12. Does the list include names of deceased individuals where a researcher has been used and family have been located who have taken over responsibility for the funeral?
Please see answer to question 10.
13. Bearing in mind the benefits to the next of kin of maintaining competition, if the local authority is not already doing so does it intend to begin using or tender for a panel of three researchers to whom each case will be referred concurrently?
There are no plans to do this.
14. If the local authority is still engaging in exclusive relationships with heir hunters rather than making referrals to the Bona Vacantia Division or to a panel of three and/or maintaining a regularly updated online list, what is the justification for this? Please refer to any relevant policies and legislation.
We do not have any exclusive relationships with heir hunters.
15. Please provide any records of internal decision making or external consultation from the past year which have resulted in the local authority’s current stance on the use of genealogical researchers
There has been no internal decision making or external consultation in the past year.
16. Would the local authority welcome some formal guidance or regulation from the government or another independent body in order to provide clarity on the appropriate course of action for using private sector services which are free to the local authority but which may result in a third party being charged or prejudiced in some way?
Yes – although we are not sure the number of cases involved would warrant it.
17. Would the local authority welcome some formal guidance from the government or another independent body to provide clarity on the appropriate course of action for when a person dies intestate in their area and there is evidence that there are next of kin but the local authority do not have the resources or skills to locate the relatives themselves?
Yes – although we are not sure the number of cases involved would warrant it.