Issue - meetings

The Committee gave consideration to a report presented by the Director of Corporate Services explaining that the Asbestos Management Policy and subsequent supporting guidance set out the Council’s procedures to ensure that the Authority actively managed the property estate, and committed to compliance with all relevant Health and Safety legislation regarding the management of asbestos containing materials (ACM’s). Members heard that the policy, its procedures and approaches, was produced to ensure that the risk from known or suspected ACMs within Council premises or controlled buildings was adequately managed, as far as was reasonably practicable, in order that no one would come to any harm from the exposure to Asbestos Fibres.

The supporting guidance detailed the responsibilities of the Council, its employees, contractors and regular building users with regards to the legal duty to manage ACMs under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Additionally, the description, identification and responsibilities of the “Duty holders” were presented along with the four essential steps of compliance, the legislative framework and the emergency procedure to be taken should suspected ACMs be disturbed. It was noted that the guidance concluded with advice on Asbestos training, training regimes, guidance for the procurement of contractors and links to further external resource data/information. Members were also informed that an additional statement had been included in light of the Council’s Environmental and Sustainability Strategy, recognising the strategy within the Asbestos Management Policy and the commitment to carbon net zero.

In response to a question regarding the responsibilities of Members in relation to the policy, it was explained that whilst Elected Councillors were not duty holders, there was a level of corporate responsibly whereby Members should bring any issues regarding asbestos that they were aware of to the attention of Officers, in order that concerns could be addressed.

Having been moved and seconded it was unanimously

            RESOLVED that:

a)    the Asbestos Management Policy be approved; and

b)    minor housekeeping amendments to the policy be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.