Probe launched after claims more than 200 mourners attended funeral
Walsall Council is investigating claims that more than 200 mourners attended a funeral in the borough last week.
Council leader Mike Bird said the authority had launched the probe after receiving a formal complaint, which relates to a funeral held at Streetly Cemetery on November 5.
Council officers are understood to have been contacted by a member of the public regarding the number of people at the funeral, which was said to be more than 200.
Under Covid regulations a maximum of 30 people are allowed at a funeral, with organisers who breach the rules liable to be fined £10,000.
The Express & Star has been told that organisers of the funeral strongly deny that any rules were broken.
Councillor Bird said: "We are aware of the complaint and there is an investigation being conducted by officers of the council."
He added that he did not believe West Midlands Police had been contacted regarding the funeral.
Council officers are said to be trying to ascertain the number of mourners present at the funeral and whether any lockdown laws were breached.
They are also examining whether the health of any council staff was put at risk.
Transmission
During the first lockdown in April police dispersed 60 mourners who had gathered for a funeral at Streetly Cemetery, at a time when a maximum of 10 people were allowed to attend services.
Mr Bird was due to meet with Imams from local mosques this week to offer directions on funeral regulations, following an invitation from the Union of Muslim Organisations.
Current Government guidance says: "Funeral ceremonies must have no more than 30 people attending, whether indoors or outdoors. This number does not include funeral staff.
"The actual number of people able to attend will depend on how many people can be safely accommodated within the premises with social distancing, and where the funeral venue manager has carried out a risk assessment and taken all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of Covid-19.
"In some cases, this may be fewer than 30 people."
Police have dealt with a number of illegal gatherings in recent weeks, including a Smethwick business owner fined £10,000 after hosting a wedding party for more than 70 people.
