Bolton: David Greenhalgh assets revert to Duchy of Lancaster

Cllr David Greenhalgh died in July 2021, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across Bolton and fellow members of the council he had led since 2019.

He is one of potentially thousands of people from across the North West who’s assets have reverted to the Duchy of Lancaster, an estate owned by the King.

Cllr Martyn Cox, who succeeded Cllr Greenhalgh as leader of the Bolton Conservatives, said: “I think the lesson here is that people should make wills.

“But the fact that its going to the Duchy of Lancaster, which maintains historic buildings and support good causes, is not something that David would have objected to.

Cllr David Greenhalgh led Bolton Council from 2019 to his death in 2021 (Image: Newsquest)

“He would perhaps be more specific about what he would have wanted because they do ask friends and acquaintances if there are any particular charities he would have liked to support.”

He added: “But he was a big Royalist and the fact it would have gone to the Duchy of Lancaster would not have unduly concerned him.”

When Cllr Greenhalgh died, he left no will behind and had no living family members eligible to inherit his assets.

When this happens, a person's assets become known as “bono vacantia".

In most of England and Wales, their assets then go to the go to the treasury to be spent on public services under the supervision of the elected government.

But under a custom that dates back to the Medieval era, in the North West people’s assets go to the Duchy of Lancaster.

Bolton West MP Chris Green said: “I think there are so many odd quirks of our heritage and legal system that it would be quite surprising to people.

“But no doubt people who are aware of such contracts will also be no doubt aware that it affects them.

“So when someone dies, it will come as no surprise to people who are in those arrangements.”

The Duchy is owned by King Charles, who inherited the estate after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.

The money is then used to maintain the estate itself and is distributed to charities in the region.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi said: “Whatever a person’s view on the Royal Family, it must be acknowledged that the current system is clearly out of date.

“It cannot be right that funds collected bona vacantia are collected and reinvested without any democratic accountability or oversight.”

A report in The Guardian newspaper last month claimed that some of this money was being used to upgrade commercial property.

But the Duchy itself has said that both the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles have decided that the money should not be used to benefit the Royals themselves.

A Duchy of Lancaster spokesperson said: “From monies received as a result of bona vacantia, the Duchy of Lancaster makes an allocation to the ‘late claims fund’ to ensure that any claims received up to 30 years following the administration of an estate can be met.

“The cost of administering bona vacantia and any costs associated with the upkeep of public buildings and those of architectural importance, is also deducted.”

They added: “The balance is allocated between the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, the Duke of Lancaster Housing Trust and Jubilee Trust, three charities set up by The late Queen.

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“These charities were established after Queen Elizabeth decided that bona vacantia income should no longer benefit the Privy Purse.

“All three charities actively support local community initiatives, social housing and historic restoration across the Duchy of Lancaster estates.

“On accession to the throne, His Majesty The King reaffirmed that money from bona vacantia should not benefit the Privy Purse, but should be used primarily to support local communities, protect the sustainability and biodiversity of the land and preserve public and historic properties across the Duchy of Lancaster estates.

“This includes the restoration and repair of qualifying buildings in order to protect and preserve them for future generations.”