6. DfE Steering Group:a) JW confirmed new Chair of DfE Steering Group as Michael GreenJW verified that following the released CoC statement, both herself and ML wrote to Education Select Committee (ESC) requesting an independent review and repeated the request at the DfE SG meeting. It was confirmed at the DfE Steering Group that an internal review would go aheadQuestion asked ‘what is purpose of DfE Steering Group?’ provoked a big discussion, with agreement that a written response by all concerned parties around this question be sent to Michael Green as soon as possibleACTION: JW to draft letter regarding this issue for ALL Union GS signature sign off, with AiS producing own letter with backing from Annette Brookes
NOTE: caution – asking for GS to add support should be used sparingly, but on this occasion ALL deemed it a worthwhile exercise, as JUAC’s perception of the question asked, posed a real threat to possibly undermine the work being done on this issue.
b) Online Guidance: ML reported that 8,500 visitors had accessed the online guidance within the last 6 months with varying opinions expressed on its effectiveness
NG voiced disappointment that was felt by most of the team that the ‘hits’ for the online guidance were low. It was therefore felt that this lent even more credibility that the guidance should be mandatory not voluntary as it is now.
ACTION: to campaign at future DfE meetings for the guidance to be mandatory for ALL Head teachers/Governors/Staff
NOTE: to be tailored to suit the individual roles within schools
c) CoC: ML gave overview and reported that the CoC concluded that children are more vulnerable than adults around the risk of exposure to Asbestos. ML went on to confirm that no recommendations were put forward on how best to proceed with this information, but the need for more data/research was needed, but due to lack of funding this seemed unlikely
ACTION: to keep pressing where/when possible, with an ask to the APPG to support the call for an independent review.
d) DfE review of Asbestos Policy: AGREED: the need to wait for the TORs but agreed that JUAC would submit a collective JUAC response and each individual union to submit a response.
ACTION: JW to write JUAC’s paper (with JUAC’s TOR & Aims included). JW also to issue a template/bullet points to all unions to assist with their responses.
e) AiS Environmental Level: short discussion around acceptable testing levels took place with ML stating that he understood the new HSE analysts guide would reduce the fibre level in ‘Reassurance’ testing to 0.001 f/ml. He proposed that a lower level was needed for an environmental level and suggested 0.0005 f/ml. Members would consider the proposal.
AGREED: that ML’s paper was most robust and had JUAC support; but further information and technical advice would be needed before JUAC could look to support any proposed level.
ACTION: to adjourn this item to the next meeting.
f) HSE failure to publish report on Cwmcarn: JUAC letter with GS sign off proved a huge success (thanks to HR for suggesting GS involvement). HSE have agreed to share report once published.
g) Warning to schools – warm cabinet heaters: JW confirmed that after asking the DfE at least three times that they had still not issued a warning surrounding warm cabinet heaters, stating they were waiting for HSE’s report on Cwmcarn before issuing.
NG confirmed that the Cheshire LA had indeed sent the warning out to all its schools – ALL felt this was good practice.
h) Public Liability Insurance: JW confirmed that the DfE brought in an insurance expert who concluded that there was generally no public liability insurance available for schools for asbestos claims and consequently there was no point in informing school governors etc, about this. ML suggested and it was agreed that more parliamentary questions on this be requested
i) Future Strategy: adjourned to the next meeting due to lack of time
