Understanding and supporting local authority water safety policies

Title: Understanding and supporting local authority water safety policies

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) would like to request the following information regarding water safety within your local authority:

1. Responsibility for Water Safety

A Is there a specific officer, department, group or committee responsible for water safety within your authority?

B If yes, please provide the role title(s), department name, or the name of the group/committee.

2. Water Safety Policy

A Does your local authority currently have a water safety policy in place?

B If yes, please provide a copy of the policy.

3. Open Water Risk Assessments

A Has your local authority reviewed its open water risk assessments in the last 24 months?

4. Water Safety Group or Partnership

A Does your local authority have a designated water safety group or partnership?

B If yes, please provide the name of the group and any available terms of reference, remit, or purpose documents.

5. Water Safety Campaigns

A Has your authority run any water safety campaigns in the last three years?

B If yes, please briefly outline the topics or issues covered.

6. Targeted Water Safety Information

A Does your authority provide water safety information to specific groups (e.g. schools, recreational water users, youth groups)?

B If yes, please specify which groups receive this information.

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1a. Our Community Safety team have the responsibility for water safety for LFR - They are supported by individuals within the Service who are responsible for water rescue training - offering a subject matter expert to prevention work carried out. The Community Safety manager chairs a county wide water safety partnership group, made up of representatives from identified organisations, e.g. district councils / Police / EMAS

b. The Community Safety manager / Community Prevention Team / Water Safety Lincolnshire (partnership group)

2a. Yes - This is a policy that's been created in partnership with colleagues forming the Water Safety Lincolnshire group

b. Attached

3a. LFR's Integrated Risk Team, have overall responsibility for identified water risks - Our operational crews review risk information held, developing response plans where appropriate - These are reviewed on an inspection frequency commensurate with the level of risk identified

4a. Yes

b. Water Safety Lincolnshire

5a. Yes b. We have supported the National Drowning Prevention day on each year - Posting safety messages on social media - The NFCC 'Be Water Aware' campaign each year - Other related topics such as the NFCC 'Boat Safety Week'.

6a. Water safety information is provided to the general public unless we receive specific requests - Where specific requests are made, we amend messaging as required, e.g. water and ice safety for school aged children

b. As above.

Should you require the attachment mentioned above please contact customerinformationservice@lincolnshire.gov.uk with the below reference number and this can be provided.