Hello all, A customer has brought an unacceptable case to our attention which involved a local company. There's useful underpinning items within at this time of peak off site visit activity: Due to break down and the rest of the company's fleet being used on home to school transport, a school needed to make emergency calls and put out hurried communications to parent/carers, putting their own contingency in place for the pupils and staff to return from W-S-M when their coach didn't show.  Not only did the company not let the school know there was a problem, but they had no plan to recover from the situation. They even stopped answering the phone. It was then found that there was no immediate capacity at other companies to assist. Reporting the matter to the Traffic Commissioner (TC) revealed the company licence has been revoked. An important element of planning any trip involving transport is contingency in the event of a problem which, if a company is bei...

Hello all, There is a huge amount that could go in to this update following the Grenfell Tower block fire, but I'm not sure whether it would be helpful to you at the moment as there are a lot of politics, media take, proportional and disproportionate actions taking place and things need to settle. I'll only remark to contrast the debate now on Health and Safety when the things we try to risk assess and avoid then happen and pick up in summary some key points below: Residential Accommodation Although we know some of our customers have residential accommodation in their portfolio we don't know of any of the scale of the Tower. However, that is not to say that even if cladding isn't an issue, that other lessons arising can't be taken on board as part of our rolling review support of the fire risk assessments. Those lessons may also impact on current and future specification too, in a number of ways. For work and home action please check: The cause...

Our network member Thara Raj has circulated important heatwave advice. Children are more susceptible to heat stroke. The guidance includes ways to deal with a child suffering from heat illness. Please download it from this link

Hello all, There is no change to the national threat level or any information on local concerns or threats. We are asked to continue to be alert, not alarmed. It is the term of fairs, etc, run by yourselves, by the PTA/FOS, or in partnership. Can we suggest, however, you review the risk assessment for the event? Proportional points to consider would include: * reviewing the event alongside your own community and individuals prevent risk assessment  * maybe the potential of a PCSO attending from your Beat team * vehicle movements before, during and after and gate security to stop unauthorised movement. Car park potential conflict with pedestrians * asking in advance that folded bags are brought by the 'customers', considering whether other bags might perhaps be checked at your boundary entry point *  keeping that eye out on the run up and during the event outside for anyone paying undue attention to your site and perhaps acting suspiciously * de...

Hello all, Please note the not unexpected controversy following below which we'll monitor and comment on later if necessary. The assumption that Bristol is safer is one for caution, but there are no known threats for our area. Bill From the Bristol Post: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/n ews/bristol-news/bristol-paren t-pulling-son-out-91830 A concerned parent has sparked a heated debate after pulling their son out of a school trip to London after the latest terror attack. The unnamed parent took to  Facebook  to say they would not be allowing their son, who is in year three at Hareclive Primary School in  Hartcliffe , to visit the Natural History Museum with his classmates. Instead they are planning to take him to the AtBristol science  museum  and have invited other parents concerned about safety in London to join them. The parent’s comments have prompted a fierce debate with some backing the decision, while others suggesting they are...

Hello all, Welcome back to a gloomy start with the news from London again and the weather not helping. Here's the current position: There is no known threat locally. Having said that events show we must be vigilant and on guard, while continuing to live life as usually as possible. When considering the actions of the extremists on Saturday I took to pondering our ability to use reasonable force in defence of ourselves and others. This in the mix of fight, flight and freeze reactions if confronted with such events. If murder with weapons is clearly going to/happening, there is case law to confirm a lethal response is proportionate. While flight - the Run, Hide, Tell national message is sound, current and relevant, and certainly the priority action, if possible where looking after others, clearly taking action is the fight response. I, wonder if anyone would answer the question if a passing motorist intervened and used their vehicle to stop that action, is that reaso...