The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has recently met the newly established Local Government Panel (LGP) made up of elected members from across England, Scotland and Wales.
The new forum will carries on from last year's review of the liaison and governance arrangements between HSC/E and LAs. It will promote a strategic dialogue on local, central and devolved government issues that impact on health and safety regulatory functions, and it will also review the effectiveness and performance of the existing partnership between the enforcing authorities, namely the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities (LAs).
Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission commeted:
"Local authorities have a vital role to play in reducing workplace injuries and ill health within their local communities. I've been impressed with the contribution and enthusiasm shown by many authorities in the last year in working with HSE on joint initiatives and new approaches to health and safety enforcement. I'm particularly pleased that HSC will now have the chance of wider and direct dialogue with local government to help capture the full potential of HSE and LAs working together."
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, Chairman of LACORS also commented:
"This is an important day as it gives local authorities a stronger voice in health and safety issues and will give them increased opportunities to influence national health and safety policy and strategy. By strengthening the partnership between HSE and local authorities, this forum will enable more effective use of joint resources, helping health and safety regulatory services achieve their full potential in improving health, safety and well-being of local communities."
LACORS is the local government central body that works to facilitate communication, sharing of good practice and co-ordination of enforcement issues between local authorities.
