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

Head of Education

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
£87,117- £93,978
Knowsley Council is an award-winning Local Authority, named Local Authority of the Year in the Municipal Journal Awards 2024. Knowsley (Metropolitan borough), Merseyside
Recuriter: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Service Managers – Children's Social Care

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
£61,863 - £67,592
Knowsley Council is an award-winning Local Authority, named Local Authority of the Year in the Municipal Journal Awards 2024. Knowsley (Metropolitan borough), Merseyside
Recuriter: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Head of Commercial Services

Trafford Council
£77,339 - £83,714
Few boroughs have a story quite like Trafford’s. Trafford, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Trafford Council

Head of Greater Manchester Shared Services

Trafford Council
£77,339 - £83,714
Few boroughs have a story quite like Trafford’s. Trafford, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Trafford Council

Director of People and Organisational Culture

Sheffield City Council
£Competitive
Sheffield is a place like no other. Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: Sheffield City Council
Linkedin Banner