Agenda item

The Committee received the following statement by Councillor Laing:-

‘Following the tragic events at the beach at the weekend which resulted in the untimely death of Lucas Walker and his mother Julie, I sought re-assurance from the Chief Executive that we are doing everything we can to support Samuel, Lucas’ older brother who survived the tragedy.

The Chief Executive has confirmed that social work colleagues, in partnership with colleagues from NHS Grampian, are and will continue to provide all the support possible in the days, weeks and months ahead, to help Samuel and the rest of the family to come to terms with this tragedy.

In addition, the Chief Executive has confirmed that education colleagues are offering all the support possible to the school community of Bramble Brae where Lucas attended and Harlaw Academy where Samuel attends.  The loss of Lucas and the impact on Samuel will be felt by both school communities and therefore I’m pleased we are providing such support.

In addition, as you would expect, I sought clarity from the Chief Executive in terms of the council’s responsibility for beach safety and sought assurance that we were discharging our duties.  The Chief Executive confirmed that there is no statutory or common law duties applicable to the Local Authority in respect of beach safety.  However, under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, the local authority may display public safety notices and may provide staff for life saving or appropriate lifesaving equipment.

Council has elected to provide both public safety notices along the full 2km of the beach as well as providing 29 life belts every 50-100 metres along the length of the beach.  In terms of our practice in both of these areas, I understand we follow the guidance issued by ROPSA and RNLI.  The provision and inspection of the life belts is the responsibility of environmental services and the provision and replacement of the public safety notices is the responsibility of the roads section.

In terms of external independent assurance on these activities, reliance is placed on the annual two unannounced visits which are undertaken by Keep Scotland Beautiful as part of the annual beachside award which assesses a council’s management of the beach.  The beach was assessed on 14 June this year.  The report confirmed that everything was in place and no issues were raised in terms of beach safety.

Whilst our current risk assessment for the beach is not due for another year and we have just received our annual assessment, I understand Keep Scotland Beautiful has offered their assistance to undertake a new risk assessment and to undertake a second inspection.  In the spirit of not being complacent, I understand the Chief Executive and the service are in discussion about both of these offers of support.

I am therefore satisfied that all appropriate support is being provided to the family and the two school communities and I am satisfied that the council has processes and practices in place to ensure as far as possible the public’s safety at the beach.’