Agenda item

To receive the Minutes of the Health and Safety Committee held on 2 November 2021.

Councillor Alder asked about regulatory and legislative changes and the building safety bill. She asked if Officers would have appropriate training, thinking especially of the number of residential homes being built for older people and those with mobility problems.

The Health and Safety Officer said that there was a new piece of legislation called Planning Gateway One, which would be supporting the planning process. He set out the actions that would have to be taken by Local Planning Authorities under the new legislation.

Members were advised that the Planning Service Managers had been contacted about the new legislation and the role of giving specialist advice would fall to the new building safety regulator, and this work would be led by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The Health and Safety Officer answered a number of further questions in respect of lower rise developments in terms of fire safety and accessibility. He talked about the equality standards that were in place for modern new builds.

Councillor Dumont asked about the reference to a resident being unhappy with an operative. The Health and Safety Officer explained that this matter was being addressed by Glendale, the grounds maintenance contractor.

Councillor Alder asked for an update in respect of the reference to a rough sleeper. The Health and Safety Officer said that the Parking Services Manager had updated him and the rough sleeper had refused to engage with Officers and an injunction would be issued in due course. An update would be given to Members at the next meeting.

Councillor Alder asked that her thanks to Officers be recorded on behalf of Sawbridgeworth Town Council, in respect of recent resurfacing works in car parks in Sawbridgeworth.

Councillor Alder referred to the lone worker contract and in particular asked about the work undertaken by the contractor. The Health and Safety Officer explained in detail the work of the contractor in supporting Officers who were lone workers. He explained to Members that there had been a joint procurement exercise with Stevenage as their contract had also been due to renew.

Councillor Dumont asked if the devices used were the same as those due to be issued to Members. The Health and Safety Officer confirmed that they were. He answered a question from Councillor Alder in respect of out of hours security and fire safety for sheltered properties.

Councillor Ruffles referred to Hartham Pool and highlighted the importance of communicating to swimming clubs the reasons for the delayed re opening of the pool. The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that information was due to be uploaded to the website tomorrow and any further questions could be sent to him.

The Health and Safety Officer explained that a new fire safety module had been introduced to the Skills Build Training module following a fire drill that had been conducted at Wallfields on 3 November 2021. He said that this would be available to Members as well as Officers. Members received the minutes.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting of the Health and Safety Committee held on 2 November 2021, be received.