Item 15

ANNUAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT

Members considered the report which provided a strategic overview in relation health and safety within the SPA and Police Scotland. Chief Superintended Gillian Docherty highlighted a number of key points as detailed in the paper.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Members sought further information on health and safety issues within the estate. Deputy Chief Officer David Page (DCOPage) responded that estates are suffering from a huge amount of underinvestment so maintenance is only being carried out if it relates to either a health and safety or security breach.
• DCOPage referred to recent case of legionella in the Scottish Police College and explained how the lack of up to date schematics was a reflection of legacy underinvestment in an ageing estate. A review of water safety was being undertaken, Azets have been commissioned to do a report and a Gold group has been established. DCOPage confirmed the Health and Safety Executive visited the Scottish Police College and are satisfied with its condition. To ensure compliance in other areas, a broader health and safety report has been commissioned with Azets and is expected shortly. It will be shared with unions and the Federation.
• DCOPage stated that if under investment in estates continues, Police Scotland will need to reconsider estate size.
• Members were assured Police Scotland are going above levels one and two health and safety responses to the housing estate. DCOPage acknowledged issues within the housing estate were due to previous under-investment but improvements were being made.
• Members heard it was not guaranteed that capital receipts will be reinvested in estate.
• DCOPage thanked the Chief Executive for progressing delegated estates requests quickly.
• CCLivingstone highlighted Police Scotland inherited at least 50 unoccupied buildings and commended the work by estates staff to progress disposals and co-location moves. The Chair agreed strategic disposals to create co-location was in the public interest. It was noted a separate housing strategy had been approved but the Authority would be keen to seen a refreshed estates strategy.

The Authority RESOLVED to:
• NOTE the report

Before the Chair drew the meeting to a close, CCLivingstone thanked Authority Members and the SPA Chief Executive for their support and scrutiny.