As the discussion over whether to continuously fly the Union Flag from Calne Town Hall continues to rumble on, Linda Roberts, Town Clerk at Calne Town Council, has released the following statement on the Gazette & Herald's website:
I was asked for comments for an article on the flag for this weeks Gazette, as they have not been printed I would like to set the record straight from the Town Council's point of view.
No decision has been made against the RBL flying the union flag from the Town Hall on the grounds of H & S and no such report has been issued by the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk is currently in liaison with the Town Council's H & S advisors and insurers, as the Town Council and Town Clerk, have a duty of care to ensure all employees, visitors, sub-contractors etc who are on Town Council owned property undertaking whatever activity are able to do so in a safe manner which complies with the law. These measures are a requirement in law and by the Town Council's insurers. They will also protect the Town Council from claims which could be made against it, if someone injured themselves whilst putting up or taking down the flag from the Town Hall roof. The HSC suggest that under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 'an offence is committed where failings by an organisation's senior management are a substantial element in any gross breach of duty of care owed to the organisation's employees or members of the public' ... So the Town Clerk is not acting deviously or sneakily as suggested in the national newspapers, but doing the job.
The findings of the Risk Assessments, advice from insurers and H & S advisors will be discussed by the committee chairs before the end of this week'.
Updated: 1st August 2008
