The Health and Safety Committee meeting on 03 February 2026 addressed several key issues, including the provision and location of defibrillators across the borough, an analysis of incidents within Lewisham's libraries, and an update on general health and safety matters. Decisions were made to continue exploring funding for defibrillators and to investigate further the causes and management of incidents in libraries, particularly those related to anti-social behaviour.

Defibrillators

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the provision and accessibility of defibrillators. Councillor Chris Best expressed disappointment that only 18 defibrillators were currently available across the council estate, noting that previous requests for a review of their locations had not yielded a comprehensive map. Councillor Laura Cunningham suggested that a public map of defibrillator locations and access times would be beneficial for informing residents. The cost of a new defibrillator is approximately £1,200, with ongoing maintenance and the appointment of a defibrillator guardian also being the responsibility of the service that funds it. While the council provides guidance on obtaining and maintaining these devices, there is no central corporate budget for their purchase. Councillor Rudi Schmidt raised the possibility of external organisations, such as a fitness centre in his ward, managing defibrillators if funding could be secured. Councillor Paul Bell highlighted that organisations like London Hearts and the British Heart Foundation can provide funding and subsidies for defibrillators, suggesting that a project manager could help drive this initiative forward. The committee agreed that promoting the availability of defibrillators and exploring funding options would be raised with site responsible persons during ongoing health and safety discussions.

Libraries Incident Analysis

The committee reviewed a report detailing health and safety incidents within Lewisham's hub libraries. Overall incidents increased by 10.2% from the previous year, with verbal and threatening abuse accounting for 57.4% of all incidents. Near misses also saw a significant surge. The majority of these incidents are concentrated at Catford Library, where anti-social behaviour, particularly related to the misuse of toilet facilities, is a significant driver. Library staff are trained in conflict management and de-escalation techniques, and a banning policy is in place for repeat offenders. The report noted that while libraries are intended as welcoming spaces, they are experiencing challenges due to a lack of alternative safe spaces for some individuals in the Catford area. Councillor Cunningham raised concerns about the effectiveness of fire drills, particularly regarding the evacuation of vulnerable individuals, and the need for comprehensive training for all building occupants. Sidra Hill-Reid, Head of Community Education and Cultural Assets, explained that while students are given a choice regarding evacuation via fire chairs, staff receive regular training on their use. The committee expressed a desire for further investigation into the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour in Catford and for a long-term strategy to address these issues, potentially involving other services and community organisations.

Health and Safety Committee Update

Richard Benjamin, Head of Assurance, presented an update on various health and safety matters. The report confirmed that an improvement notice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regarding asbestos inspection had been fully complied with and closed. Premises inspections are ongoing, with a focus on identifying and rectifying medium and low-risk issues. The report highlighted that while no high-risk issues were identified in the latest inspection period, there was a slight increase in medium-risk actions. The committee discussed the importance of ensuring that fire risk assessments are up-to-date and that actions arising from them are addressed promptly. Councillor Best suggested that future reports could include a comments column to provide context for the number of actions identified, particularly for fire safety. The committee also noted the ongoing efforts to improve the uptake of health and safety training, with a target to increase the current 65% return rate for annual self-assessments. The report also detailed incident statistics across various directorates, with a slight increase in reported incidents within the Chief Executive's and Children and Young People (non-school) directorates.