Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee welcome the assurance provided that schools have robust risk assessments in place and effective control measures to maintain safe school environments; and

(b)       That the Committee acknowledged the work of the Corporate Health and Safety Team in supporting schools in the pandemic and note the lessons learned to date.

The Chief Officer introduced the report and thanked the and thanked the Corporate Health and Safety Advisor and Health & Safety Team for the support provided to schools during the emergency situation.  She outlined the changes which had been introduced around risk assessments and reassured Members that schools were working safely and continually monitoring the situation. 

            The Corporate Health and Safety Advisor reported on the advice and support provided to Schools and advised that all school risk assessments had been reviewed twice, with clear feedback and recommendations provided where necessary.  Following the review of school risk assessments at the end of the autumn term, the Health and Safety Team had produced a report which summarised the key lessons learnt.  This had been shared with all schools to ensure continuous improvement of the risk assessment process.  Details of the lessons learnt were outlined within Appendix 1 of the report.

            Mr. David Hytch thanked the Corporate Health & Safety Advisor for the support provided to schools during the emergency situation.  He commented on the lessons learnt document at Appendix 1 and asked whether it was appropriate for school governors to actively conduct safety inspections of school premises and raised concerns around the risks to them.  The Corporate Health & Safety Advisor agreed that this was currently difficult with the Health & Safety Team also currently limiting inspections.  Although it was difficult to carry out physical inspections governors could review documentation and hold discussions with staff instead to ascertain if things were working or not.   The Chief Officer explained that this was a recommendation and not a directive and would only take place if the person was willing to visit the school premises and it was safe to do so. 

The recommendations outlined within the report were moved by Councillor Paul Cunningham and seconded by Councillor Gladys Healey.             

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee welcome the assurance provided that schools have robust risk assessments in place and effective control measures to maintain safe school environments; and

(b)       That the Committee acknowledged the work of the Corporate Health and Safety Team in supporting schools in the pandemic and note the lessons learned to date.