Craig Parker, Head of Health and Safety,
alongside Amanda George, Head of Strategic HR, introduced the
report and updated the Committee on the review of the Corporate
Health and Safety Policy.
During the discussion, points included:
- Officers explained that the policy
had been reviewed to illustrate a more robust, rigorous, and up to
date process and was in direct alignment with Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) guidance.
- Members raised Appendix 4, the
Corporate Governance and Accountability Structure, and sought
clarity on the differences between the current and proposed
structure. It was explained that although Health and Safety was now
under a different directorate, Assets, the proposed structure was
not dissimilar from the current, and instead had been updated to
provide a more detailed and accurate representation of current
legislation. Members suggested that an amendment be made to list
the specific Committees sitting within the structure for
clarity.
- It was then explained that Appendix
2, the Statement of Intent, mirrored the Statement of Intent as
detailed within the current policy, but instead would be signed by
the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council to demonstrate the
Council’s commitment in protecting the safety, health and
wellbeing of its employees and other stakeholders who may visit or
use the facilities it manages and controls.
- It was highlighted that Appendix 3,
Proposed Roles and Responsibilities, provided further details to
make clear all duties and obligations within the Health and Safety
Management System which would then be developed into a handbook for
individual managers’ reference.
- It was further explained that the
individual arrangements for each facet of the system would be held
internally for all employees to access online, however Members felt
it would be useful to have a list of each of these arrangements
within the policy for ease of understanding.
- Officers reassured Members that
there would be robust inductions for any new employees or
Councillors on the revised policy and that there would be
opportunities for refresher training, with officers prioritising
these ahead of the local elections in May 2025.
- Members raised Paragraph 36 of the
report and suggested that further detail be included to reflect the
Council’s position.
- It was noted that officers were
looking to review the process for health and safety checks for
contractors, including those for highway maintenance activities,
and that officers were intending on implementing annual audits and
then random spot checks on any works undertaken by
contractors.
- In response to a query regarding the
inclusion of school children within Appendix 2, the Statement of
Intent, officers confirmed that they would draft a written response
to be sent to Members outside of the meeting on the
interrelationship between the Council and schools and how each of
the policies and systems interlinked to ensure the protection of
children, young people, and school staff within any Council owned
or managed facilities.
At the conclusion of the discussion, it was
then:
Resolved:
The Committee:
a)
Supported the updated Health and Safety Policy.
b)
Delegated to officers, in consultation with the Chairman for
approval, any necessary policy amendments arising from the
discussion with Members; amendments would also be circulated to
Members for comment prior to approval.