Action:

1. 1. Apologies & Welcome:Neil Vernon (UCATT)

Welcome: Cenric Clements-Evans & Hank Roberts

1. 2. Notes/Actions from the 6 December 2012 (plus redacted notes):7.6 CCK corrected error in notes by reporting he had already written to the Minister before JUAC’s December 2012 meeting but as yet hadn’t heard back from him.AGREED: Changes to be made on both sets of notes.Notes/Actions approved

JW

1. 3. Matters arising from notes NOT covered elsewhere on this agenda:7.1 CoC
   ML reported that Professor Philips …had emphasised that it was a “draft”.
   ML confirmed that the Minister was looking to speed up the CoC final statement after experiencing repeated delays in its publication and had said that it was now likely to be issued this summer.7.6 HSE Pro-active inspections
   ML requested that if anyone had questions to go through the Lords Parliamentary question time, please forward as soon as possible.DBe reported that Unison deals with up to 50 cases/claims per year from support staff.7.11 Cwmcarn School – National Implications
   DBr to resend to JW the document/report of ‘Asbestos Good Practice’ for inclusion on the JUAC website. 

All

DBr

1. 4. Chair’s Actions:4.2 Warning of School HeaterJW confirmed that no response had been received from David Laws/DfE with regard that JUAC request warnings be sent to all schools about the dangers of some heaters in school buildings.AGREED: to draft up guidance document for reps/members with a view to asking DfE if they would like to badge jointly with JUAC.NOTE: All heaters but especially ones with active fans are a serious cause for concern, and included in the guidance for reps should be how to identify and manage these heaters and make it clear who at school was responsible for doing so.AGREED: due to urgency of this issue, a time limit be offered to DfE for joint issue of 3 weeks, if failure to agree then JUAC/Unions to send out guidance independently of DfE.

   CCE conveyed that there now appears to be conflicting reports from Wales HSE with regard to the Cwncarn school asbestos review and now another independent review is expected from the LA within the month.

   AGREED: JUAC to keep under review.

    

DBe & ML

All

JW

1. 5. JUAC Website:
   NG to forward to JW for inclusion – Cheshire School exposure when available.2010 JUAC survey for inclusion on website – SL to forward to JW

NG

SL

1. 6. DfE Asbestos Guidance: Union report on promotion of website:DfE had contacted JW and asked for our report on JUAC publicity on DfE Asbestos Guidance.AGREED: to collate information and forward to JW who can then ask DfE to confirm what action it has taken in this regard since responsibility clearly lies with DfE.

All/JW

1. 7. Meetings with David Laws MP & Stephen Twigg MPML gave following update on the DL meeting:NOTED: Minister said Government will wait for the final COC statement and then consider review of its policy.NOTED: Minister emphasised the need to have specific data and figures.Discussion took place around this statement with the following points/actions made:HR – agreed with NG’s comments;
   suggested a press releases from all Unions regarding how/who to whistleblow to, on this issue;
   Highlight at annual conferences (2014) with a joint motion from all education unions;
   this to coincide with publications of names of deceased/pictures/case histories etc, thus keeping profile high.

   AGREED: HR’s suggestions to be an agenda item at next meeting

    

AGREED: APPG booklet remains a good platform for JUAC campaigning

1. 8. DfE Select Committee Asbestos in Schools Evidence Hearing:This was a working item and therefore minutes were not taken.JUAC’s submission will be available on the website in due course along with the recommendations from the Education Select Committee.

1. 9. Date and time of next meeting: 17^th April 2013 at 11.30am