Decision details

Decision:

1.        To approve the Head of Paid Service’s proposal to create a new post of Joint Corporate Health and Safety Manager as set out in this report.

2.        To delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to amend the current inter-authority agreement between Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council to include the new joint role as set out in this report.

Reason(s):

1.                      Both councils have committed to working together to further the collaboration including the creation of joints posts where this is demonstrably in the interests of both councils. The council has a legal and moral responsibility to operate in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the regulations set out under this legislation.  The requirements ensure that as an employer the council operates in a safe manner, so as not to expose employees, visitors and persons impacted by council services, to health and safety risk.  The same responsibility applies to both councils, however, at Guildford inhouse waste and grounds maintenance services, and the internal operation of the depot, require additional health and safety management.  A review of corporate health and safety arrangements has identified gaps in compliance attributed to a long-standing vacant post at Waverley, and the recent retirement at a key post at Guildford.  This presents an opportunity to exploit efficiencies across both councils and to share good practice.   

2.           The recommendations will deliver capacity and capability to enable health and safety management at all levels of both organisations.

3.        To respond to the concerns raised in recent months by staff, service managers and UNISON representatives in relation to the robustness of health and safety arrangements for both councils.

4.        This will deliver the capacity and capability needed to embed successes in ongoing collaboration efforts and enhance the pace of future collaboration, transition to shared services and continuous improvement in service delivery and realisation of cashable and non-cashable savings.

5.        To create the framework for the corporate health and safety services function which will reduce dependency on expensive external resources and further implement succession planning and career development.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

Option 1 - Do nothing, and reappoint to vacant existing posts in both councils

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None.