Purpose

To provide for information an annual report on
the progress to implement an effective health and safety system
across the Council for the 2023/24 financial year.
 

Decision

Decision(s):
 
The presentation of the Annual Health and
Safety Report be approved.
 
Reason(s) for the
Decision(s):
 
The Council has in accordance with its
responsibilities to manage health and safety approved a
Council-wide Corporate Health and Safety Policy with the latest
version approved in April 2019.  The
policy sets out the Council’s approach to health and safety,
the responsibilities for key staff for managing the system and the
arrangements within the Council for monitoring health and
safety.
 
A key objective from the Policy is to clarify
and strengthen governance arrangements for health and safety across
the Council.
 
The Policy outlines that the Cabinet has
strategic responsibility for employee related health and safety in
the Council and that the Audit and Governance committee's
responsibilities are to consider the Council's arrangements for
health and safety, receive regular assurances and assessments on
the effectiveness of these arrangements.
 
The Policy also states that the Corporate
Health and Safety Team is responsible for providing an annual
report on Health and Safety to Cabinet on behalf of the Executive
Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services. This report
meets this requirement.
 
Currently the Audit and Governance Committee
receives an update on health and safety performance on a quarterly
basis which includes the following information:
 
·      
Progress on health and safety actions due to be undertaken during
the quarter.
·      
Updates on health and safety performance including accidents and
incidents.
·      
Any emerging legal or health safety related issues.
·      
Proposed activity in the next quarter.
 
 
Alternative Options
Considered and Rejected
Not providing a report however this is in
contradiction to the responsibilities detailed in the Corporate
Council’s Health and Safety Policy and therefore
rejected.