It has a bench along one side and is popular with families who visit to feed the ducks. The bombshell was dropped on residents in a parish newsletter which declared: "As a parish council we are obliged to undertake risk assessments in the village and have been doing so for the past 20 months.” Council chairperson Louise Goldsmith said the local authority had an obligation under the Occupiers’ Liability Act. “We realised we were not covered by insurance on the pond. We as a council own 50 per cent of it and lease the other 50 per cent. We were advised by our insurers that we should have a risk assessment. We have had to do this. We have not made this up.” But village resident James Wilkinson said: “It does all seem a bit ridiculous. As far as I know the pond has a good accident record in that nobody has been hurt there. It is more of a muddy puddle than a big open pond.” Brighton Argus 28/11/06.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Village pond hazard
VILLAGERS have hit out at “ridiculous” plans to fence off their pond so that no one falls in. Health and safety experts said the “water hazard” in exclusive West Itchenor, near Chichester, should have fencing around one side and a sign warning of the dangers of deep water. The pond is a home for ducks, carp and a water vole.
It has a bench along one side and is popular with families who visit to feed the ducks. The bombshell was dropped on residents in a parish newsletter which declared: "As a parish council we are obliged to undertake risk assessments in the village and have been doing so for the past 20 months.” Council chairperson Louise Goldsmith said the local authority had an obligation under the Occupiers’ Liability Act. “We realised we were not covered by insurance on the pond. We as a council own 50 per cent of it and lease the other 50 per cent. We were advised by our insurers that we should have a risk assessment. We have had to do this. We have not made this up.” But village resident James Wilkinson said: “It does all seem a bit ridiculous. As far as I know the pond has a good accident record in that nobody has been hurt there. It is more of a muddy puddle than a big open pond.” Brighton Argus 28/11/06.
It has a bench along one side and is popular with families who visit to feed the ducks. The bombshell was dropped on residents in a parish newsletter which declared: "As a parish council we are obliged to undertake risk assessments in the village and have been doing so for the past 20 months.” Council chairperson Louise Goldsmith said the local authority had an obligation under the Occupiers’ Liability Act. “We realised we were not covered by insurance on the pond. We as a council own 50 per cent of it and lease the other 50 per cent. We were advised by our insurers that we should have a risk assessment. We have had to do this. We have not made this up.” But village resident James Wilkinson said: “It does all seem a bit ridiculous. As far as I know the pond has a good accident record in that nobody has been hurt there. It is more of a muddy puddle than a big open pond.” Brighton Argus 28/11/06.
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