Dear Madam, Response to Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths Inquest touching on the death of Akeem Jevaughn RHODEN We write with reference to the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths dated 13 December 2022 which was issued by HM Coroner following the inquest into the death of Mr Akeem Jevaughn Rhoden ("the Regulation 28 Report"}. We are responding to the Regulation 28 Report on behalf of Natural Resources Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park, Powys County Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Neath Port Talbot Council. On behalf of all of the aforementioned organisations, may we express our deepest condolences to Mr Rhoden's family. We set out below the joint response of Natural Resources Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Powys County Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot Council, to the concerns that have been raised by HM Coroner as set out in the Regulation 28 Report:
1. Independent Expert
1.1. Natural Resources Wales is in the process of commissioning a report from an independent expert concerning visitor safety management to include signage in Waterfall Country. The outcome of this process will be shared with Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Powys County Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot Council.
1.2. Brecon Beacons National Park Authority will review the independent report and reposition its signage as reasonably required having considered the recommendations of the report. Confidential 1

2. Erection of Signage Pending the report of the independent expert, semi-permanent signs are being erected at the following locations in Waterfall Country. NRW will mark their signs as marked on the plan (numbers 1-8) and Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (numbers 9-16) Enclosure 1 and set out below: 0 Location:
1. Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf; 0 Location:
2. Sgwd Pannwr; 0 Location:
3. Sgwd yr Eira north; 0 Location:
4. Sgwd yr Eira south; 0 Location:
5. Sychryd; 0 Location:
6. Dinas access to Mellte; 0 Location:
7. Pont Melin Fach 0 Location:
8. Junction pool below Sgwd Gwladys. 0 Location:
9. Cwmporth Carpark SN 92839 12383 0 Location:
10. Glyn Gwyn footpath SN 92107 10714 (_ 0 Location:
11. PNF Old School footpath SN89962 08517 0 Location:
12. Gunpowder Works lower bridge SN91548 08227 0 Location:
13. Gunpowder Works upper bridge SN91895 08407 0 Location":
14. Penderyn Tor y Foel Footpath / permissive route SN 93837 09205 0 Location:
15. Scwd Pannwr NPA side SN92280 10299 0 Location:
16. Lower Glyn Gwyn NPA side SN 92382 10644 Confidential 2

C When the erection of the semi-permanent signs has been completed, photographs will be taken by NRW and Brecon Beacons National Park Authority respectively and sent to HM Coroner.
3. Design of the Signs The signs that are being erected in Waterfall Country, have been designed with reference to the Visitor Safety Group Communicating Safety Guidance an extract of which is set out below: Genuine CORHtjllllf1C4t9 of bellavlour (maintaining trust & 1ntearlty) and Dnlrod blh.-Aour. Consldar 1njunctlve (ought) and P,09C~ (do nattffieHIQH We attach at Enclosure 2:
3.1 Two illustrations of the signs that are being erected by Natural Resources Wales and Brecon Beacons National Park in Waterfall Country showing their respective logos; and
3.2 An illustration of the signs that are being erected by the local authorities in Waterfall Country which do not have a logo. We trust this joint response provides assurance to both HM Coroner and Mr Rhoden's family that action is being taken by Natural Resources Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Powys County Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Neath Port Talbot Council to Confidential 3

address HM Coroner's concerns. The safety of visitors to Waterfall Country is of the utmost importance to all of the aforementioned organisations and we remain committed to working collaboratively including through ongoing participation in the Waterfall Area Safety Advisory Group.

Dear Sirs Re: Regulation 28 Report (Akeem Rhoden (Deceased)) Neath Port Talbot Council wish to thank the Coroner for writing to our Chief Executive and bringing to our attention the various matters of concern that were prompted by her investigation into the tragic death of Mr. Rhoden. Neath Port Talbot Council express their deep regret and sorrow at the death of Mr Rhoden. (_ It should be noted that this response is based entirely on the Regulation 28 Report that was received. We acknowledge the Coroner's concerns and will accordingly consider signage at the land we own and manage at the site in question. The Brecon Beacons National Park is an area which is designated for its special qualities

Pennaeth Gwasanaethau cyfreithlol Head of Legal Services Y Ganolfan Ddlneslg, Pon Talbot SA13 1PJ Civic Centre, PortTalbot, SA13 lPJ DX 135226 Port Talbot 2 DX 135226 PortTalbot 2 Croesewir goheblaeth yn y Gymraeg a byddwn yn ymdrin ii gohebiaeth Gymraeg a Saesneg l'r un safonau ac amserlenni. We welcome correspondence in Welsh and will deal with Welsh and English correspondence to the same standards and timescales.

C consequently, signage is something we must consider very carefully in the context of a natural landscape. We will seek to respond to the key point of signage that has been raised by the Coroner's concerns, and to identify any changes to signage to mitigate the risk of any future death by accident by someone visiting the site by undertaking a signage review and implementing any necessary actions. In autumn 2022, as a result of the concerns that the Coroner raised in a report concerning a different fatality, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and Neath Port Talbot Council jointly commissioned an independent review of signage at the Site and this work continues. Neath Port Talbot Council is committed to working collaboratively with the other public body landowners and colleagues to improve our joint management of matters that affect visitors to the site. We hope that we can continue the dialogue to create a unified approach to health and safety matters within the National Park. In the interim, Neath Port Talbot Council have commissioned a review of all signs within its high-volume visitor areas to ensure they are fit for purpose and are uniform in (. their design, content and application. It is anticipated that this work will be concluded in by the end of March 2023. It is important that we offer factual response to the Coroner's findings, both to acknowledge and to identify any issuesand to correct any misperceptions which may be barriers to full learning.

(_ The Coroner's key points are summarised here, and the full table can be found in her Regulation 28 Report: Coroner's Matters of Concern Response Action already completed Action proposed The signage at all waterfalls in Waterfall Country must be addressed We agree with using signs that are clear to all users regardless of language. It should be noted that each authority must also comply with Welsh Language Standards which does require additional information to be present. We have instructed an independent reviewer to advise on the formation and content of new signs and temporary signs are being put in place to warn of concerns. To review signage and implement a uniform form of signage. There were no adequate signs to We agree with using signs that We have instructed an I To review signage and implement a

.....-­
- warn of potential dangers I are clear to all users regardless of language. It should be noted that each authority must also comply with Welsh Language Standards. independent reviewer to advise on the formation and content of new signs uniform form of signage. Any sign(s) Signage erected ought in plain English and spell out the risk of the danger of the power of the water. We agree with using signs that are clear to all users regardless of language. It should be noted that each authority must also comply with Welsh Language Standards. We have instructed an independent reviewer to advise on the formation and content of new signs To review signage and implement a uniform form of signage. Existing signage in 'Waterfall I Country' is overloaded with a We accept additional signage can explicitly address safety We have instructed an independent reviewer to To review signage and implement a uniform form of signage.

variety of concerns advise on best information, is practice signs not explicit in warning of the real danger of death from entering the water. In the interim, a number of additional steps have been taken:
• The Neath Port Talbot website has been updated to advise individuals of the potential risks involved.
• Signs will be erected to advise individuals of unpredictable water flow. Advice has suggested to date the Council should refrain from using any words such as Danger, Caution or Warning as it indicates a problem, and indeed Deep Water as someone will no doubt dive in when it is shallow. We trust that such information will demonstrate the Neath Port Talbot Council's commitment to working to prevent future incidents in this area.