William Eichler 22 February 2019

Council to take legal action over Storm Doris death

A West Midlands council has confirmed that it will pursue legal action against the building management company of the Mander Centre for the death of Tahnie Martin.

Ms. Martin, 29, was killed by a large piece of wooden roofing that fell from the Mander Centre as she walked past a Starbucks in Wolverhampton during Storm Doris in February 2017.

City of Wolverhampton Council has said it will be taking legal action under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974) against Cushman and Wakefield Debenham Tie Leung Limited, the management company responsible for the centre.

A council statement said: ‘The particulars being that on and before 23 February 2017, the defendant, being an employer, failed to conduct its undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that persons not in its employment who might be affected thereby, including Tahnie Martin, were not thereby exposed to risks to their health and safety arising in connection with the maintenance of the exterior of the Blackrock Building, including the structures upon it contrary to Section 3(1) and 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.’

A summons has been served on the company to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on 4 April 2019.

Photo: ©Roger Kidd

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Education and Learning

Lambeth Council
Up to £141,000
We're looking for an exceptional leader to become our next Director of Education and Learning. Lambeth, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Lambeth Council

Head of Adult Services

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
£89,565 - £98,298
As a member of the Council's Corporate Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of services Neath Port Talbot (Castell-nedd Port Talbot)
Recuriter: Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Deputy Director of Quality and Practice

Stoke-on-Trent City Council
£101,978 - £107,137
You will help turn our Families First Partnership ambitions into excellent frontline practice Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Recuriter: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Service Directors

Cambridgeshire County Council
Up to £137,000
To succeed, you’ll already have an impressive and comprehensive track record of effectiveness, with particular experience in service improvement Cambridgeshire
Recuriter: Cambridgeshire County Council

Director of Digital, Data and Technology

Royal Borough of Greenwich
circa £130,000
As our new Director, you will be responsible for shaping and delivering digital transformation across the council and beyond. London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner