Issue - meetings

Minutes of the Safety Committee - 09 May 2023

The Health and Safety Officer said that there was nothing to report from the Safety Committee, only that a new Chairman would be in place for their next meeting. 

The Health and Safety Officer gave Members an update on Marshgate Bridge as arising from the last meeting of the Committee. He said that despite numerous contact attempts by the Council to the Bridge’s owner, Dicker Mill Investments, there had been no engagement. The Health and Safety Officer said that this included offers to carry out a survey of the bridge and make any repairs. He said that an offer by the Council to purchase the bridge had also been declined.

The Head of Strategic Finance and Property said that a similar situation concerning another bridge in Hertford had been concluded when the Council closed the approach road (which it owned) to it. He added that however, if such a closure didn’t affect Dicker Mill Investments the road would just effectively remain closed.   

The Health and Safety Officer said that that this unfortunately would not be a potential remedy the situation with Marshgate Bridge as the Council did not own the approach road, just half of the carpark situated on the bridge’s far side. He said that the council’s Property Department would once again contact Dicker Mill Investments in the hope of receiving a response. 

Councillor Connelly asked if Marshgate Bridge would remain on a register for monitoring due to structural concerns.

The Health and Safety Officer said that as the Council had no responsibility for Marshgate Bridge it could only inform Dicker Mill Investments.

The Chairman thanked the Health and Safety Officer for the Health and Safety Minutes and his update.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Health and Safety Committee held on 9 May 2023 be received.