Agenda and draft minutes
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Contact: Andrew Charlwood 020 8359 2014 Email: andrew.charlwood@barnet.gov.uk
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Minutes and matters arising from meeting held on 6 September 2011 PDF 22 KB Minutes: RESOLVED– That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2011 be agreed as a correct record, subject to the amendment of the resolution at decision item 4 as follows:
“RESOLVED that the Committee note the sad passing of Alan Homes.”
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Apologies for absence Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Stephen Sowerby.
Apologies for absence were also received from employee side representatives Christine Hayes, Val Kemp, Dan O’Connell, Chris Ward and Nagus Narenthira.
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Declarations of Members' personal and prejudicial interests Minutes:
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Update Report (Report of the Deputy Chief Executive) PDF 108 KB Minutes: The Committee noted that the Secretary to the Employers’ side would be making changes at the next review to the general policy statement in the Council’s Health and Safety Policy to detail an overall position relating to volunteers.
RESOLVED – That the Committee noted the progress since the last meeting and the proposed amendments to the Council’s Health and Safety Policy as detailed above.
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Secretary to the Employers’ Side detailed amendments to the Council’s Corporate Health and Safety Policy relating to asbestos. The Committee were advised that there had been a separation into part I (policy) and part II (tool kit) to ensure that practical advice was given regarding steps that employees could following when dealing with asbestos.
In response to a question from the Employees Side, the Secretary to the Employers’ Side advised the Committee that the Council had a duty to ensure that adequate asbestos checks were in place at leasehold sites (e.g. academies). It was noted that asbestos checks formed part of leasehold agreements between the Council and tenants. Estates would be responsible for ensuring that leaseholders were compliant and that records were maintained and available for inspection.
The Employees Side emphasised that the National Union of Teachers considered that asbestos should be removed in all circumstances, rather than being treated.
RESOLVED: –
1. That the revisions to the Corporate Health, Safety and Welfare Policy – Asbestos be approved.
2. That the Secretary to the Employers’ Side publicise the revised arrangements in accordance with paragraph 9.6 of the report.
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Minutes: The Committee received a report setting out the Health, Safety and Welfare arrangements within the Adult Social Care and Health for the year ending 30 September 2011.
The Committee were informed that as of 1 February 2012, a large proportion of Adult Care Services had transferred to a Local Authority Trading Company, Your Choice Barnet.
Officers reported that the main focus of health, safety and welfare work undertaken by Adult Social Care and Health had been on providing information to contractors. It was noted that Council policies and procedures had been shared at provider forums.
The Committee were advised that a Stress Action Plan was being implemented within Adult Social Care and Health to assist with managing stress. Officers undertook to share this with interested parties.
In response to a question from the Employees Side, the Secretary to the Employers’ Side advised the Committee that where services were outsourced, health, safety and welfare obligations would transfer to the new provider, with the Council retaining responsibility for compliance with policies and legislation.
RESOLVED: –
1. That the report be noted.
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Minutes: The Committee received a report setting out the Health, Safety and Welfare arrangements within Environment, Planning and Regeneration for the year ending 30 September 2011.
The Committee noted the alcohol awareness and ‘Report It’ initiatives which had recently been undertaken within the directorate.
RESOLVED: –
1. That the report be noted.
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Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED: –
1. That the report be noted.
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee noted a review of the Lone Working and File Handing/Document Management Policies would take place during 2012/13.
In response to a question from the Employees Side, the Secretary to the Employers’ Side advised the Committee that the landlord at North London Business Park was responsible for health, safety and welfare matters as they related to the whole site. If any issues were identified, these were raised with Facilities. The Employees’ Side expressed concern that the landlord was under no obligation to address health and safety issues on site.
RESOLVED: –
1. That the report be noted.
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Employees Side questioned whether there were any additional health, safety and welfare considerations as a result of the increased pension age. The Secretary to the Employers’ Side advised the Committee that there were no specific provisions and that each manager was responsible for the staff under them.
The Secretary to the Employers’ Side undertook to discuss implementation of the Corporate Health and Safety Policy in schools with the Employees Side.
RESOLVED: –
1. That the revised arrangements for the Management of Health and Safety be approved.
2. That the Secretary to the Employers’ Side publicise the revised arrangements in accordance with paragraph 9.5 of the report.
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee noted that the Assistant Director for Estates was the responsible person for controlling any identified risk of exposure.
In response to a question from the Employees Side, the Secretary to the Employers’ Side reported that the Council’s policy could be shared with external service providers and schools. However, there was an issue around ownership of the policy outside of the Council. It was noted that Health and Safety would become a traded service as part of the New Support/Customer Services Organisation project.
RESOLVED: –
1. That the revised arrangements for the Prevention and Control of Legionella be approved, subject to the amendment of section 3. to refer to ‘Periodic visits by managers…’’’
2. That the Secretary to the Employers’ Side publicise the revised arrangements in accordance with paragraph 9.5 of the report.
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Report of the secretary to the employees' side Minutes: There were no such reports.
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Any other business to which both sides agree the introduction Minutes: The Committee noted the sad passing of David Roddam.
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