Government says ‘yes’ to proposal to merge county’s coroners services

THE merger of Devon’s coroners services has moved a step forward. When Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon coroner Ian Arrow retired last year, it was suggested the service should combine with Exeter and Greater Devon.

Now parliamentary approval has been given for it to go ahead after the Ministry of Justice agreed.

Phillip Spinney will now be Devon’s senior coroner for the service, which will continue to operate out of both Exeter’s and Plymouth’s courts.

Alison Longhorn, currently the area coroner for Exeter and Greater Devon, will assume this role for the merged area, and an additional area coroner will be appointed, too.

Assistant coroners will hear cases until the appointment is made.

Based on demand last year, the new combined coroner’s service – known as the County of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay coroner service – will deal with roughly 4,500 deaths a year, with about 950 of these leading to inquests either at Exeter’s County Hall or in Plymouth.

It is likely that more cases will be dealt with in Exeter, both in person and in so-called hybrid formats, using webcams.

The new service currently has about 1,650 cases to look at.

A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “The coroners service will use three smaller courtrooms for day-to-day cases, two of which are currently being used, the other will be ready for use very shortly.

“The council chamber will continue to be used for larger jury inquests.

“The court in Plymouth will be used for families who are unable to travel to Exeter and want to attend in person.”