PRESENT

Mr Brian Etheridge

(Chair) HSE LAU

Mr R Tunnicliff

Midlands

Ms M Buchan

(Secretariat) HSE LAU

Mr C Olesen

(Secretariat) HSE LAU

Mr J Hazeldean

HSE TD

Mr P Ingham

North West & CACFOA

Mr T Beckley

COSLA

Mr A Berry

LGA/LACOTS

Mr D Pumford

HSE TD1

Mr I Hillier

Scotland/ITSA

Mr P Monger

PRA

Mr P Thomas

South East (SELCOG)

Mr P Sargent

HSE SPD

Mr R Marris

LGA & North East

Mr Chris Hunt

UKPIA

Ms W Martin

HELA/LGA1 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

The Chair welcomed members to the 19^th PELG meeting.

3.11 APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Phil Papard (HSE FOD), Steve Quick (LGA), Alison Edwards (LACOTS).

2 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meeting were accepted without discussion.

3 ACTION POINTS FROM LAST MEETING

Moira Buchan gave an update on progress from the last meeting.

3.11 LEAD AUTHORITY PARTNERSHIP SCHEME (LAPS)

This item had been discharged.

3.11 LICENCES AND FEES FOR STORAGE OF PETROLEUM

This item had been discharged.

3.12 REPORT BACK FROM TECHNICAL SUB-COMMITTEE

This item had been discharged.

3.13 STATUS OF REGIONAL GROUPS

This item had been discharged.

3.11 ENFORCEMENT LIAISON OFFICERS

This item had been discharged.

3.12 PRIORITY PLANNING

It was agreed that Wendy Martin and Phil Thomas would obtain more information on DTI performance indicators and LAU would report back more fully on this at the next meeting.

Action: Wendy Martin
Phil Thomas
LAU

3.13 LIAISON WITH EPA/SEPA

It was agreed that there should be further exploration of demarcation between environmental and safety issues at a strategic level with DEFRA. Local working arrangements with EPA/SEPA were very varied and it was agreed that those available should be circulated to members to determine whether it would be possible to distil best practice guidelines for PLAs in the form of a PETEL. It was suggested that a representative from the Environment Agency should be invited to the next meeting.

Action: Peter Sargent SPD
PELG members
LAU

3.14 PETROL TANKER DIRECT DISPENSING

Clarification of legal aspect with HSE Solicitor was being sought with a view to issuing a PETEL.

Action: Peter Sargent, SPD
LAU

3(Agenda Item 4) MODERNISING PETROL LEGISLATION

This item had been discharged, with the exception of the appointment of a Petroleum licensing officer to LAU as a secondee. Members were asked to canvass regional group members for interest in this post. An update would be given at the next meeting.

Action: PELG members
LAU

3(Agenda Item 5) COMPETENCE OF PETROLEUM INSPECTORS (S18)

The application of S18 guidance to petroleum licensing authorities would be clarified with HSE solicitor with a view to issuing a PETEL.

Action: LAU

3(Agenda Item 6) DATA COLLECTION ON PETROLEUM ENFORCEMENT

This item was linked with the ongoing development of collection of relevant health and safety inspection and enforcement data from local authorities. Members expressed concerns about duplication of returns and were keen to ensure that there should be proper co-ordination of data collection and returns. Wendy Martin agreed to explore suggestions for best practice with colleagues. LAU would report on progress at the next meeting.

Action: Wendy Martin
LAU

4 PROGRESS OF NEW LEGISLATION (DSEAR)

Peter Sargent gave an update on this item. The Regulations will be in force by summer 2002. Consultative Documents CD180: Proposals for the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations and CD 179: Proposals for new petrol legislation - Phase 1 - Changes to workplace controls are on the HSE website and consultation for both ends in May 2002. PELG members will be given a further update on the progress of petrol legislation at the next meeting.

5 DEVELOPING THE LIAISON MECHANISM

Members welcomed the paper. Wendy Martin raised the question of S18 guidance and its direct application at present to only some PLAs. Brian Etheridge said that the current review of the Enforcing Authority Regulations might provide an opportunity to explore possible solutions to this anomaly.

Action: LAU

6 EXPLOSIVES LICENSING

Roger Marris put forward a proposal to widen the remit of PELG to cover explosives licensing which at present has no formal liaison mechanism, and is often carried out by PLAs. Members were generally content with this suggestion. Wendy Martin agreed to consult more widely with LACOTS and other colleagues. LAU agreed to raise this suggestion with Explosives Section in HSE.

Action: Wendy Martin
LAU

7 HELA NATIONAL TRAINING CO-ORDINATION WEBSITE

Moira Buchan gave an update on the site (website address: www.trainingco-ord.org) and asked that members should access the site and assess its usefulness for PLAs. Members should contact Moira for a password to access the site.

8 PETELS ON LAU WEBSITE

Christian Olesen presented a proposal to members to transfer PETELS to the LAU page on the HSE Website and devise an easier route for PLAs to access all relevant material on petroleum matters. Members approved the proposal and it was agreed that a small working group should be convened in December to carry out a review of all older PETELS.

Action: LAU

9 REPORT BACK FROM PELG TECH SUB-COMMITTEE

Peter Sargent gave an update. Minutes of last meeting circulated to members.

10 AOB

-

None

11 DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS

15 MAY 2002 AND 10 OCTOBER 2002