Ashley Talbot

Dear Mr Barkley Thank you for your letter and Regulation 28 report dated 22 February 2017 following the inquest into the death of Ashley Talbot: This was a tragic accident and the Council would like to express its sincere condolences to Ashley's family: In accordance with Regulation 28, we have considered the concerns you have raised and will respond as follows: 1 Road layout Following this incident; the traffic management arrangements at all schools in the Borough were observed by Health and Safety Officers and Road Safety Officers. Both internal and external arrangements at the school were observed and documented Advice was provided to all headteachers at their forum meetings and a checklist was developed to assist them in monitoring their current arrangements. A programme of works was identified for physical environment which is currently being implemented: Examples of work undertaken at these locations included extra crossings, the installation of additional barriers and bollards. Works were also carried out at Maesteg Comprehensive School. The bus bay has been extended and can now accommodate seven buses. If there are changes to the number of buses required, this will be reviewed to ensure the space remains sufficient: The school site is now also subject to a lockdown, with no vehicles allowed to enter or move around the site until the children have alightedlboarded the buses_ Buses are only permitted to arrivelleave under controlled operation. A new drop-off area has been created on the access road (Ffordd Dysgu): The Corporate Health and Safety Team has promoted near-miss reporting within the current accident procedure across the Council, This was promoted with all headteachers at their forum meetings.
2. Staff supervision The supervision of the children falls under the responsibility of the school: The Council has monitored all schools' supervision arrangements during their observations by health and safety Ffonltel: 01656 643643 Facsifax: 01656 668126 EbostIEmail: talktous@bridqendgovuk Negescuon SMSI SMS Messaging: 07581 157014 TwltterdbridgendcBc GwefanWWebslte: WWwbrldgendgov-uk Cytnewid'testun: Rhowch 18001 flaen unrhyw un 0nrhifau fon ar y gwasanaeth (rosglwyddo testun Text rolay: Put 18001 before any of our phone numbers for the text relay service Rydym yn icroesawu goheblaeth yn y Gymraeg: Rhowch wybod Ini 05 yw eich dewis Ialth ywr Gymraeg We welcome correspondence In Welsh; Please lct u5 know If your language cholce (s Welsh Cyeor Ogwrs 1 F the being gyier

and road safety officers. The traffic management checklist provided to all schools includes a question on staff supervision during the start and end of the school day:
3. Design and construction The design project board for any new school build is now a multi-discipline team including designers, clients, highways road safety staff and health and safety officers. The project is now planned more strategically and with a holistic view: Early consideration is given to traffic management arrangements both internal and external for any new schools Advice is sought at an options appraisal stage to ensure any potential highway issues are identified prior to a site being chosen. Infrastructure costs, including works to highways and on-site parkingldrop- off arrangements, are now included in the overall costs of the budget: Once a site is identified and design is underway, the project board maintains a link with the on-site management of the build. hope the above reassures you that Bridgend County Borough Council has taken appropriate steps to respond to the events at Maesteg Comprehensive School, and has also considered the actions that are needed throughout the Borough: The Council is committed to improving health and safety within the schools and will continue to work with the governing bodies and headteachers to ensure the situation at all schools is monitored and actions taken as necessary_ If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us

Dear sir , reply regarding the regulation 28 notice and the concerns raised by the coroner. (1) The bus being inadequate for the no. of vehicles: The bus bay has now been extended and now provides adequate parking for all buses, there is now no parking of buses outside of the designated bay: There is a lockdown of the school premises prior to and during pupils exiting the school and loading onto the buses, there is no vehicle movement this period_ (2) Staff supervision has been increased and there are now adequate nos. in place when children are boarding the buses at the end ofthe day: (3) While agree with the lack of accountability regarding the construction of a safe facility school governors would have had no input regarding the design or construction: (4) Additional measures now in place include a Smph speed limit within the school grounds. Staff managed pedestrian crossing points where pupils access the school via our safe routes to school pathways: (5) A vehicle drop off approximately 200 metres from the main gates which allows children to access the school via steps leading to the back of the school lessening the vehicle nos. which caused congestion outside the main gates: The governing body has worked closely with HSE representatives since the time of this tragic accident and all their recommendations have been carried out