Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Coole, Drew and Flood.

There was no public participation.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no urgent items to consider.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee held on 24 June 2021 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To consider the Annual Health and Safety Performance Report for 2020 to 2021.

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Health and Safety Manager, which summarised significant health and safety management activities over a twelve month period (April 2020 to March 2021) covering key achievements, council-wide statistics and developments for the year ahead.  The report also demonstrated the Council’s compliance with its statutory responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and subsequent regulations.

The Council’s Health and Safety function had delivered on its objectives during the year including:

·  The sourcing and provision of sufficient levels of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to enable staff to continue safely in their roles with the ever-present risk of Covid-19.

·  The introduction of a Driver Safety Handbook alongside an update to the Driving at Work Policy.

·  An almost 50% decrease in the number of accidents and incidents reported year-on-year.

·  Two positive interactions with representatives for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who were checking the safety measures the Council had put in place to protect staff and customers from Covid-19.

·  A positive response from the annual health and safety audit questionnaire, indicating greater compliance to health and safety policies and procedures.

The approval of the Annual Health and Safety Report 2020-2021 would fulfil the Council’s obligation to health and safety legislation and would reinforce its commitment to following HSE best practice guidance.

Resolved:

That the Annual Health and Safety Report 2020-2021 be approved.