Welfare funerals

Under Section 31(1)(a) of the Act, an exemption applies where disclosure may prejudice a range of investigations and conduct, including the prevention and detection of crime.

Disclosure of information on the assets of estates of deceased individuals, before steps had been taken by the Treasury Solicitor to secure the assets, could interfere with the statutory function to collect bona vacantia (ownerless goods) vested in the Crown and may provide an opportunity for criminal acts to be committed.

Therefore, it is not considered to be in the public interest to release this information for the reasons stated above. This accords with recent decision notices issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office; namely:

• FS50584670 Birmingham City Council

• FS50586033 Barnsley Metropolitan District Council