Archive Council News

09.01.07

Scrutiny Committee to receive report on asbestos

Wrexham County Borough Council has produced a plan that shows how it will deal with asbestos materials in its housing stock over the next few years following the introduction of new legislation.

Last year the Council advised over 11,000 tenants to check with the Council before carrying out d-i-y repairs to their homes ahead of the survey to assess the scale of the issue.

Now a 35 page plan - the "Asbestos Management Plan" has been produced and will be taken to the Social Affairs, Health & Housing Scrutiny Committee tomorrow, Wednesday, January 10th to assess the impact of the survey results and a long term strategic plan to deal with it either by monitoring or removal.

The plan sets out how the Authority is managing the risks from asbestos materials and the impact of the recent statutory requirements under The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

It aims to increase awareness to staff, occupants and contractors, prevent asbestos exposure and prevent the spread of asbestos fibres, increase competency and experience and the control of works. It also outlines the need to increase identification of the material in typical council properties and increase the training to all those staff affected.

Chief Housing and Public Protection Officer, Andy Lewis said: "We have been working on this document for the last 12 months and now is the opportunity for members of the Scrutiny Committee to assess its content.

"As a responsible landlord and employer we have a duty to manage the asbestos situation within our council housing to ensure our tenants and maintenance workers are not exposed to any potential risk. The introduction of the new regulations has ensured the Management Plan is updated to reflect the more stringent requirements. "

Co-chairs of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillors Warren Coleman and Mrs Joan Lowe said: "We will consider the report and the progress that has been made to date. We can't ignore it and don't want to spread alarm as there is no property that is imminently at risk. This is an on-going process that we will manage and this report is the next stage to tackle ".

For more information and advice on asbestos contact Graham Egerton on 01978 315435.