5

Buildings and fire Regulations update

Disability discrimination – access audit

Hut insurance and civil liability

Trustees – duties, responsibilities and liabilities

Child Protection.

 

A new Fire Safety Act became law from the 1^st October 2006 and it means that a responsible person be appointed to implement the new order. This includes :

 

Fire risk assessment

Reducing the risk if fire and the risk of fire spreading

Means of escape from the premises

Means of fighting fire on the premises

Means of detecting fire and warning systems

Have a fire safety strategy.

We need to appoint a responsible person. Ian and I carry out these duties at the moment.

 

Our insurance policy covers the club for accidental loss of damage to: buildings, contents and loss of revenue. The maximum sums insured are:

Buildings - £150,000   Contents - £10,000   Loss of revenue £5,000

 

Our Trustees are entrusted to administer the cottage for the benefit of the members. The duties they must perform are few, but they have responsibilities which could mean they could be held liable, arising from failing to perform a duty which led to adverse consequences.

 

The Child Protection Act is applicable even though the club no longer has any members under the age of 18, because parents or “responsible adults” who are members may bring children to the club cottage. Visitors staying in the guest end may also have children with them.  It is recommended by the BMC that, as in our club, where we have a shared Common Room, an adult, (ie member of our club) should not be alone with a visiting child in the Common Room. The choice is up to the member, but this is what the BMC recommends.

                                                                            Des Slavin.