Council workers could face the sack over a catalogue of failures in tackling asbestos at Canvey's swimming pool.

Staff and councillors were criticised following a seven-month inquiry into asbestos at Waterside Farm sports centre in Somnes Avenue.

Asbestos was removed from the pool in October - 18 months after consultants advised it be shut down for the public's safety, a report said.

It also questioned why the pool reopened without an official safety certificate after the asbestos was finally removed.

The inquiry, led by council monitoring officer Andrew Smith, highlighted failures in communication, lapses in supervision and a lack of control.

He said: "Decisions made by council members and the cautions taken by staff to deal with the asbestos-containing materials were not adequately recorded and the appropriate form of disciplinary action should be taken against the relevant staff.

"There was a lack of control and supervision with respect to the management of the agents.

"There were failures in communication between council departments and between the council and the consultant."

However, he assured: "Public safety and the health and welfare of the council's staff have not been put at risk."

Norman Bambridge, vice-chairman of the council's highways and leisure committee, said: "There were no public safety issues and this is obviously good news."

Published Monday July 19, 2004

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