NORTH Somerset Council could be fined thousands of pounds over the handling of asbestos at a Weston secondary school.

Officials from the Health and Safety Executive have outlined their intention to prosecute the local authority and are preparing their legal case.

The Mercury understands it surrounds the removal of asbestos Priory Community School’s gym and sports hall changing rooms in August 2007.

No children or staff were on the school site at the time.

Nadia Nuaimi, of the Health and Safety Executive, said: “We have informed the authority we are to prosecute over an incident at the school.

“Prosecutions over asbestos removal or not unique and are common when work is carried out in old buildings.

“If the removal of asbestos is carried out by contactors who are not licensed to do so, we look to prosecute.

“The cases are usually dealt with in magistrates court so fines don’t generally go above £20,000.”

A North Somerset Council spokesman said: “The Health and Safety Executive has sent us a letter saying it is it is going to prosecute us in relation to an asbestos matter at Priory Community School.

“It says a summons is to be issued but we haven’t received one yet.

“Because there is a possible court case pending we won’t say anything else at the moment.”

The case is set to go before magistrates later this year.

thewestonmercury.co.uk - 30.03.09