To consider the Health, Safety and Welfare Policy (Parts 1 and 2) 2011.

That the Health, Safety and Welfare Policy (Parts 1 and 2) 2011, as attached to the report of the Health and Safety Committee, be adopted with immediate effect.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Maidstone Borough Council is legally required to have a Health and Safety Policy that sets out the organisational and technical arrangements for ensuring Health and Safety.

The management structure of the Council has changed significantly since the current policy was issued. The Council has also adopted a strategy for Corporate Health and Safety, and this policy has been changed to reflect the contents and aims of this strategy.  A number of new health and safety policies have been implemented within the council and these changes have been reflected within the new Health, Safety and Welfare Policy (parts 1 and 2) 2011 as set out in Appendix A of the report of the Health and Safety Committee.

It could be decided not agree this report.  This would leave Maidstone Borough Council with a Health, Safety and Welfare Policy that did not take into account the current structure of the Council, and would not reflect the Council’s commitment to Health and Safety. The Council would then be exposed to risk as the existing policy is out of date.