Issue - meetings

This report presents the Interim Report on the work of the Health & Safety (H&S) shared service which operates on behalf of City of York Council (CYC) and North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), including an update on H&S incidents and the annual review of the CYC H&S Policy.

Resolved:  (i)      That the Interim Report, including the work of the Shared H&S Service, be noted.

                   (ii)      That the ongoing work to refresh the arrangements relating to the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) be noted, and that a report be taken to Executive on the work being undertaken with partner agencies to clarify roles and ensure the work of the SAG is well supported and follows best practice.

                   (iii)     That the Corporate Health & Safety Policy be endorsed, noting that the previously supported position that verbal aggressive behaviour towards council staff and contractors working on the council’s behalf will not be tolerated is now included within the Statement of Intent.

                   (iv)    That details of the outcome of revised arrangements for asbestos management, water hygiene and substance misuse, as highlighted in paragraph 11 of the report, be reported to future decision sessions.

Reason:     So that the Executive Member and residents can be assured that H&S services are resilient and the council has proper arrangements in place for managing and responding to H&S risks.

The Executive Member considered a report which presented the Interim Report on the work of the Health & Safety (H&S) shared service between City of York Council (CYC) and North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), including an update on H&S incidents and the annual review of the council’s H&S Policy.

Progress on the key priorities in the Annual Report received at the 2 July Decision Session was set out in paragraphs 7 to 14.  This had included: completing the procurement of a comprehensive H&S reporting and management system for CYC and NYCC; embedding a specific H&S resource with Building Services to provide support; and putting refreshed arrangements in place to support the work of the Safety Advisory Group (SAG).  Asbestos management arrangements had also been revised and updated and additional work was being undertaken with national specialists to evaluate actions on fire risk.  Work with schools had included a H&S conference in July, with a training session for head teachers.

With regard to H&S incidents, while the overall number in the past six months was less than half of the total number reported last year, there were concerns around increases in reported incidents of Violence and Aggression and Handling/Lifting/Carrying.  These would be analysed and discussed with the relevant bodies.

The Executive Member stressed the need to clarify the responsibilities, accountability and authority of those speaking at SAG meetings.  Officers indicated that proposals addressing these matters would be brought to a future Executive meeting.

Resolved:  (i)      That the Interim Report, including the work of the Shared H&S Service, be noted.

                   (ii)      That the ongoing work to refresh the arrangements relating to the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) be noted, and that a report be taken to Executive on the work being undertaken with partner agencies to clarify roles and ensure the work of the SAG is well supported and follows best practice.

                   (iii)     That the Corporate Health & Safety Policy be endorsed, noting that the previously supported position that verbal aggressive behaviour towards council staff and contractors working on the council’s behalf will not be tolerated is now included within the Statement of Intent.

                   (iv)    That details of the outcome of revised arrangements for asbestos management, water hygiene and substance misuse, as highlighted in paragraph 11 of the report, be reported to future decision sessions.

Reason:     So that the Executive Member and residents can be assured that H&S services are resilient and the council has proper arrangements in place for managing and responding to H&S risks.