THURSDAY 16 JANUARY AT 2.30PM IN THE ASSESSMENT CENTRE MEETING ROOM, LOTHINGLAND

Present: Paul Taylor, Ray Hill, Glyn Reynolds, Annette Petty (Chair & Mins)

Apologies: Wendy Arbon, Cliff Dawson, Kay Dawson, Philip Bloyce, Noel Maher, Andy Willcox, Ian Talbot, Ken Abbott

1.     Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 November 2002 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

2.      Matters Arising

a)   Page 1 Lothingland                                                                                                                                                                            The “pot holed” area at 4 Airey Close now has 4 ft posts and chain link fencing installed.

b)   Page 1 TUC H&S Courses                                                                                                                                                                     All H&S reps have been emailed/posted a copy of the Spring Courses at City College Norwich. Annette to email David Heywood for future dates this year. Theresa Stone is undertaking the Unison H&S Part II in July.

c)   Local Risk Forums                                                                                                                                                                         Annette to ascertain the Local Risk Group’s format with Philip and obtain this year’s meeting dates. There are two groups, the Local Risk Forum and Local Risk Group (held bi-monthly at SCH and Bury). 

d)   Walker Close - wall in OT Room                                                                                                                                                   Problem is not serious according to Estates, the wall is made of plasterboard. No remedial works to be carried out at present due to lack of funds.

e)   Page 2 Sutton Ward                                                                                                                                                                            No reply received as yet from Mr D Leckie, Director of Estates & Facilities, Annette to chase.

f)    Lothingland Locked Doors on Two Units                                                                                                                                     Ongoing concern, Glyn to contact local fire station for advice on the matter.

g)   Risk Inspection at the Bartlet Felixstowe                                                                                                                                           Ray to rearrange date and email Karen Thomson.

h)   New Code of Conduct for Managers                                                                                                                                                Copy to be sent to Ray at Bartlet.

i)    Andrea Boakes                                                                                                                                                                                   Has been nominated as a H&S Rep but according to Gordon Morris’ and Payroll list of employees she is not a Unison member and therefore is not entitled to become a rep. Glyn to contact Andrea to confirm.

3.     Report of Workplace Inspections

a)   Walker Close                                                                                                                                                                                     Paul to chase Cliff for his outstanding inspection forms. Noel Maher to take over all inspections at Walker Close to allow Paul to undertake Doctor’s Surgeries inspections. There are still many ongoing problems and the lack of maintenance staff (5) does not help the situation.

b)   SCH                                                                                                                                                                                                      No reply from Mr D Leckie regarding H&S issues in various areas on site which were raised by Andy Willcox. The area outside Body Matters has now been repaired this week.

c)   Hartismere Eye                                                                                                                                                                                     No report

d)   Bartlet Felixstowe                                                                                                                                                                              The CCTV in the main car park is broken, Ray has spoken with Richard Lacey in Estates and it will be repaired asap. Ray to chase Richard for dates for the repair works. The risk assessment at the Annexe will take place Jan/Feb which must take place when including a change of use of rooms.

e)   Lothingland                                                                                                                                                                                          No report

i)   New format for Inspection Forms                                                                                                                                                 Annette to email David Rollinson to ascertain when they are likely to be in circulation. Can the form be scanned/emailed to those who required a copy, and to check who exactly needs a copy of this form (at present copies are sent to Richard Lacey Estates, John Cullum Manager, Risk Management SCH, Local Manager, Deputy Manager, Unison Branch and the person who carried out the inspection). 

ii)      Local Risk Forums                                                                                                                                                                         Annette to confirm who sits on the Local Risk Forum Group and dates the group meet.

iii)     Lone Working Policy                                                                                                                                                                     Annette to check with Philip if Glyn can quote the Community Lone Working Policy which is currently in use.

iv)     Night Working Practices                                                                                                                                                               Annette to check at SCH who orders and supplies protective clothing for nursing staff for Glyn. At present staff at Lothingland only have radios at night and Glyn thinks the 4 night staff should be provided with suitable protective clothing. Glyn to pursue with John Cullum, Manager at Lothingland. 

v)      Replacement carpets                                                                                                                                                                   Ongoing problem

vi)     Learning Disabilities - Zero Tolerance Policy                                                                                                                                      Glyn stated that there are no guidelines laid out for Learning Disabilities according to the letter he recently received from the Department of Health. Annette to contact Philip to be raised with the next Risk Management Forum Meeting. 

4.   AOB

      Agenda item email from Ian Talbot sent to all reps across the County.

The meeting agreed that generally more H&S Reps are required, the Branch AGM’s are to be held week commencing 24 March and this and other issues will be taken on board. Wendy Arbon has emailed her comments to Ian.

      Regional Health Committee Delegate                                                                                                                                                   To be discussed at the Branch Meeting on 21 January.

      TUC Hazards at Work Updates for 2002                                                                                                                                            Annette to obtain 5 updates for Ray, Cliff, Paul, Andy, Glyn and the office, at a cost of £5 per update. There is a spare Branch copy which Annette to send to Kay Dawson at WSDAS.

      Working Time                                                                                                                                                                                     Seminar to be held on Wednesday 5 March at the NATFHE Centre, Britannia Street, London WC1 organised by the Institute of Employment Rights.

      Branch Meeting 13 May                                                                                                                                                                   confirmed that it is a Tuesday, the rest of the meetings this year are all taking place on Thursday’s.

      TUC Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety                                                                                                                                Annette has details of this course designed primarily for experienced union safety representatives.  Any Reps who wish to apply must have completed the Unison Part I & II Courses and the TUC Stages I&II Courses.

5.   Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 13 March at 2.30pm at the Assessment Centre, Lothingland, Glyn to take notes. Any agenda items please email to glyn.reynolds@btinternet.com with a copy to pettyad@btconnect.com

Please note apologies from Annette (on A/L)

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 4.30pm

GR/ADP