Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Internal Auditor (copy enclosed) providing an update on progress in implementing the action plan that accompanied the Internal Audit report on Health & Safety in Schools in June 2018

The Senior Auditor (SA) introduced the report (previously circulated) updating members about how the Council was implementing improvements in Health and Safety in Schools since the issue of the Internal Audit report.

The Internal Audit follow up report (Appendix 1) showed that the major risk issue relating to fire risk assessments and two of the four moderate risk issues had been successfully resolved. Further improvement was required to address the remaining two moderate risk issues relating to the development of an action tracking system and maintaining complete records of school staff who had attended the required Health and Safety training.

Based on the original review and the improvement work which had been carried out the assurance rating had been increased from low to medium. Internal Audit would continue to monitor the outstanding actions which were partially addressed to ensure that they were completed.

During discussion the following points were raised –

·         It was confirmed that the letter circulated to schools, it was also sent to the governing bodies of the schools.

·         The infection control plan was raised, and the type of issues schools with infections faced. Responding SA stated that the work was for preventative measures, such as appropriate infection control plans and cleanliness were in places i.e. cleaning of toys. Training was also being organised for school staff.

·         Concerns were raised with the additional work which could be caused for teachers with work following the audit. The possibility of an officer appointed to carry out the work in schools was queried. Members were informed that a Healthy Schools Co-ordinator was available to assist schools. The Corporate Health and Safety Manager (CHSM) informed the committee that the Health and Safety team would also be of assistance to schools. Guidance had been sent to all schools, but each school was different and it was deemed more appropriate for someone with knowledge of the school to implement the work at their own school.

·         The original report had been circulated to the Corporate Health and Safety Committee.

·         The work which had been carried out was commended by members, it was deemed that health and safety of young children was a major risk which needed to be monitored thoroughly. It was agreed that a follow up letter from the Corporate Governance Committee be circulated to head teachers and governors, it was also agreed that a follow up report be returned to the committee in November.

·         Fire safety assessments were set at three years by the Council, it was not a statutory requirement, three year assessments were deemed as adequate. However members were assured that if there were major changes to any school; assessments would be carried out again.

RESOLVED that the Corporate Governance committee to note progress with addressing audit action and that subject to the above observations

(i)    Request that a follow up report be brought to Corporate Governance Committee in November 2019.

(ii)  A follow up letter from the Corporate Governance be circulated to head teachers and school governing bodies.

At this juncture (10.50 a.m.) there was a 10 minute break.

The meeting reconvened at 11.00 a.m.